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Los Angeles Chargers News & Rumors

Bolts Restructure Khalil Mack’s Contract

March 19th, 2022 at 1:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears restructured Khalil Mack‘s contract on two occasions. After adding Mack via trade, the Chargers will make it three restructures for the All-Pro defender.

The Bolts created $9MM in cap space by restructuring their recently acquired pass rusher’s deal, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Mack will see $13.5MM of his 2022 base salary converted to a signing bonus.

Although the Chargers have added Mack’s $23.5MM-per-year contract, signed J.C. Jackson to a $16.5MM-AAV deal and reached an agreement with Sebastian Joseph-Day, they are still carrying more than $30MM in cap space. Their recent cut of Bryan Bulaga created $10.7MM in cap space. On Day 4 of the 2022 league year, Los Angeles’ AFC team ranks fifth in the league in cap room.

Mack’s through-2024 deal now includes $27MM-plus cap figures for the 2023 and ’24 seasons. In terms of per-year average, Mack and Joey Bosa ($27MM AAV) represent the most expensive pass-rushing duo in NFL history. But the Chargers will be able to further bolster their roster around Justin Herbert and their new outside linebacker tandem.

Chargers Re-Sign DL Christian Covington

March 17th, 2022 at 4:49pm CST by Ben Levine

Christian Covington is returning to the Chargers. The team is re-signing the free agent defensive end, reports Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter).

[RELATED: Chargers To Sign DL Austin Johnson]

Following a four-year stint with the Texans to start his career, Covington has bounced around the NFL a bit over the past few years. He had stints with the Cowboys and Bengals before landing in Los Angeles in 2021.

He ended up getting into 16 games (three starts) for the Chargers last season, collecting 52 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. He saw time on 48 percent of the Chargers defensive snaps, and he also got some run on special teams.

Defensive linemen Justin Jones and Linval Joseph combined for 23 starts last season, but both players are hitting free agency. As a result, Covington could see a larger role next season.

Chargers Sign LS Josh Harris

March 16th, 2022 at 8:31pm CST by Ben Levine

After spending 10 seasons in Atlanta, Josh Harris is moving on. The veteran long snapper is signing with the Chargers, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).

Harris will sign a four-year deal worth $5.6MM, including $1.92MM in guaranteed money.

The Auburn product joined the Falcons after going undrafted in the 2012 draft, and he proceeded to spend 10 seasons with the organization. He only missed five games during his decade in Atlanta. He finally got some recognition in 2021, earning a Pro Bowl nod and All-Pro recognition.

In total, Harris has appeared in 156 career games, collecting 28 tackles.

Seahawks To Sign Uchenna Nwosu

March 16th, 2022 at 1:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers recently added to their pass rushing group, but they are now reportedly losing an incumbent edge rusher. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Seahawks are signing Uchenna Nwosu to a two-year, $20MM contract (Twitter link). The deal includes $10.5MM in guaranteed money.

[RELATED: Chargers To Acquire Khalil Mack]

The 25-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chargers. His production has increased incrementally during that time, as he has taken on a progressively increased workload. 2021 was the first season in which he played more than half of the team’s defensive snaps, with 67%.

Nwosu took advantage of the increased opportunity, totalling 40 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles. Given the steps forward he has taken in his tenure, along with his age, the former second rounder was seen by many as an under-the-radar option for teams looking to make an impact signing in the pass-rush department.

The move continues the re-making of the Seahawks’ roster. In the aftermath of franchise icons Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner being traded and released, respectively, the team is making it clear they are not entering a rebuild. The re-signing of safety Quandre Diggs, for instance, is a sign they are still willing to invest in high-priced pieces to their defense. Nwosu’s addition represents an effort to get younger at key positions, but nevertheless a commitment to remaining competitive in 2022.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/15/22

March 15th, 2022 at 6:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the latest tender decisions from around the NFL:

RFAs

Tendered:

Non-tendered:

ERFAs

Tendered:

NFL Announces Compensatory Picks For 2022 Draft

March 15th, 2022 at 5:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL has awarded compensatory draft picks for teams in the 2022 draft. These picks are awarded to the teams that suffered the most significant free agent losses during the 2021 offseason.

This year, the NFL awarded 39 comp picks. The comp pick formula assigns picks to franchises who suffered the largest net losses, so teams that signed multiple free agents have a lesser chance of receiving picks.

This year’s formula also includes the changes made last year, when teams began receiving third-round comp picks due to the hiring of minority head coaches and general managers. Seven such picks were awarded this year. The 49ers landed two additional third-rounders this year, obtaining the extra selections for the Jets’ 2021 Robert Saleh hire and the Dolphins hiring Mike McDaniel this year. Miami’s McDaniel hire will give San Francisco another third-rounder in 2023.

The Chiefs obtained a third-rounder for the Bears’ Ryan Poles GM hire, while the Browns landed a third because of the Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah GM hire. The Ravens collected their second third-round for the Texans’ 2021 David Culley hire; Culley has since been fired. The Saints and Rams obtained one apiece after seeing the Falcons and Lions hire minority execs Terry Fontenot and Brad Holmes as GMs in 2021. New Orleans and Detroit also landed thirds because of players given high-value contacts last year (Trey Hendrickson and Kenny Golladay, respectively).

Here is the full list of 2022 compensatory selections:

By round:

Round 3: Lions (No. 97 overall), Saints (98), Browns (99)*, Ravens (100)*, Saints (101)*, 49ers (102)*, Chiefs (103)*, Rams (104)*, 49ers (105)*

Round 4: Steelers (No. 138), Ravens (139), Packers (140), Ravens (141), Rams (142), Titans (143)

Round 5: Cowboys (No. 176), Lions (177), Cowboys (178), Colts (179)

Round 6: Rams (No. 211), Rams (212), Falcons (213), Chargers (214), Cardinals (215), Colts (216), Lions (217), Rams (218), Titans (219), 49ers (220), 49ers (221)

Round 7: Chargers (No. 254), Chargers (255), Cardinals (256), Cardinals (257), Packers (258), Chiefs (259), Chargers (260), Buccaneers (261), 49ers (262)

By team:

San Francisco 49ers (5)
Los Angeles Rams (5)
Los Angeles Chargers (4)
Arizona Cardinals (3)
Baltimore Ravens (3)
Detroit Lions (3)
Dallas Cowboys (2)
Green Bay Packers (2)
Indianapolis Colts (2)
Kansas City Chiefs (2)
New Orleans Saints (2)
Tennessee Titans (2)
Atlanta Falcons (1)
Cleveland Browns (1)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1)

* = special compensatory selection

Chargers To Release T Bryan Bulaga

March 15th, 2022 at 3:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bryan Bulaga did not hold up for long with the Chargers last season, playing in just one game. He is now back in free agency. The Bolts are releasing the veteran tackle, via ProFootballNetwork.com’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).

This move will save $10.7MM for the Chargers, who entered free agency among the leaders in cap space. The Bolts have already been busy bolstering their defense, headlined by the additions of Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson. The team’s cap-space figure bumps back up beyond $20MM with the news of the Bulaga release.

The longtime Packers right tackle signed a three-year, $30MM contract with the Chargers in 2020 to be their right-edge protector. He ended up missing six games in 2020 and 16 last season, making this cut widely expected.

The Chargers used Storm Norton as their replacement right tackle. Norton remains under contract, but it would not surprise if Los Angeles attempted to upgrade. The team also has a hole at right guard, where Oday Aboushi and Michael Schofield are free agents.

Bulaga’s career is at a crossroads after this Bolts decision. He will turn 33 next week and has now missed more than 10 games in three seasons — 2013, 2017 and 2021. The former first-round pick underwent core muscle surgery in October. The Iowa product has made 122 career starts, breaking in for Green Bay’s Super Bowl-winning team as a rookie in 2010 and signing an extension to stay with the Packers in 2015.

Chargers To Re-Sign QB Chase Daniel

March 15th, 2022 at 2:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers have made it clear they are going all-in during Justin Herbert‘s rookie contract. One of the smaller moves they have made during free agency is retaining his backup QB. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team is re-signing Chase Daniel to a one-year, 2.25MM deal (Twitter link). 

[RELATED: Chargers To Sign CB J.C. Jackson]

The 35-year-old signed in L.A. last year, making the Chargers his sixth NFL team. The career backup had spent time with the Saints, Chiefs, Eagles, Bears and Lions previously. He appeared in a single game in 2021, but did not attempt any passes.

The former Missouri Tiger originally signed a three-year deal with Detroit, but the team ended up releasing him after they were unable to find a trade partner. In Los Angeles, he reunited with both head coach Brandon Staley and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

While he wasn’t needed on the field, Daniel obviously made a good impression with the Bolts. He took over Tyrod Taylor‘s role of mentoring Herbert while providing experienced depth, something which will now continue for at least one more campaign. If the Chargers’ major moves made already pay off as they hope, he may even find himself getting a Super Bowl ring for the first time in his career.

Chargers To Sign DT Sebastian Joseph-Day

March 14th, 2022 at 7:39pm CST by Ben Levine

Sebastian Joseph-Day is switching teams, but he won’t have to move all that far. The former Rams defensive tackle is signing with the Chargers, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).

It’s a three-year deal worth $24MM, including $15MM in guaranteed money.

The 2018 sixth-round pick had spent his entire career with the Rams. After being inactive for every game during his rookie campaign, the defensive tackle established himself as a consistent starter between 2019 and 2021. The defensive tackle started 31 games during his sophomore and junior year, and he started another seven games in 2021. He missed the second half of the campaign while dealing with a torn pectoral, but he managed to return in time to play in the Rams’ Super Bowl victory.

In total, he finished last season with 38 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a career-high three sacks.

The Chargers are loading up on defense. The team has been one of the most active teams, adding Khalil Mack, J.C. Jackson, and Austin Johnson.

Chargers To Sign DL Austin Johnson

March 14th, 2022 at 6:16pm CST by Ben Levine

The Chargers have added another player to their defense. The team is signing defensive tackle Austin Johnson, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). It’s a two-year deal worth up to $14MM, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter).

Johnson had a breakout season for the Giants in 2021, setting career-highs across the board. In 17 starts, the defensive tackle collected 72 tackles, 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, and seven QB hits. Entering this season, Johnson had 54 tackles and 3.5 sacks in five seasons with the Titans and Giants.

A 2016 second-round pick, Johnson spent the first four seasons of his career with Tennessee. He joined the Giants organization in 2020.

The acquisitions of Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson will steal the headlines, but Johnson should find a role for himself on the Chargers defense. Justin Jones and Linval Joseph combined for 23 starts last season, but both players are hitting free agency. Even backup Christian Covington, who started three games in 2021, is a free agent.

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