To sign or not to sign? The Los Angeles Chargers will have some difficult decisions to make this off-season when it comes to what to do with its free agent group. Here, we are breaking down Chargers 2023 free agents.
There are starters in there, mixed in with some injured players (hey, this is the Chargers, so you know some guys have gotten hurt). The good news is the core of the team is signed up for a while – quarterback Justin Herbert — but you don’t win in the NFL without a solid supporting cast.
These are the Chargers unrestricted free agents this off-season according to our friends at spotrac. We list them as high priority, medium priority and meh.
High Priority
Nasir Adderley, defensive back
He’s been a starter in the secondary for the last two years. He’s on the last year of his rookie deal. You’d like to see more interceptions (only two) but he’s a quality cornerback and the Chargers should give him a healthy raise.
Deandre Carter, wide receiver
Ok, I admit to a little favoritism here, Carter has been one of the bright spots of the Chargers season ever since training camp. He’s given them a boost on special teams and already set career highs as a wide receiver with 28 catches and 346 yards. The Chargers should reward him with a three-year deal in the off-season.
Christian Covington, defensive end
Covington is in his second year with the Chargers after being with the Texans, Cowboys and Bucs. He just tore his pectoral muscle and is out for the season, but before going down, he’s been a starter on the defensive line. If he wants to come back, I think the Chargers should take him.
Trey Pipkins, offensive lineman
If I was ranking Charger free agents they need to re-sign, Pipkins might be No. 1 on the list. With all the injuries the Chargers have had on the line, and, of course, Pipkins has a knee injury now, but they would have been lost without him.
High-ish priority
JK Scott, punter
I actually went back and forth on Scott. He came over from the Jaguars on a one-year deal after being picked by the Packers in 2018. He ranks fourth-to-last in punting average at 43.5 yards in the NFL.
That’s not good.
However, only 12 of Scott’s punts have been returned for just 36 yards. So what he’s done is pinned opponents back all year. He’s worth keeping.
Drue Tranquill, linebacker
I went back and forth on Tranquill because I think the Chargers could do better, but the former fourth-round pick is second on the team in tackles at 82 and second with three sacks. So the production is good, but when I think about Pro Bowl linebackers….I don’t think Drue Tranquill. I would re-sign him, but maybe just a one- or two-year deal.
Medium Priority
Bryce Callahan, defensive back
Callahan has two picks for the Chargers this year after coming over from the Broncos on a one-year $1.2 million deal. I like him and would like to see the Chargers keep him for a good price.
Will Clapp, offensive lineman
Clapp spent four years with the Saints and signed a one-year $1.1 million dollar deal. He’s only 27. He’s a swing lineman, capable of playing center and guard. Good offensive line depth is hard to find, but that’s all Clapp is.
Low-medium
Sony Michel, running back
The Chargers picked up Michel from the Dolphins in pre-season and it seemed like a curious move at the time, and now midway through the season, it still seems curious. Austin Ekeler is the Chargers No. 1 back, Josh Kelley was doing well as the No. 2 back when he got hurt. Michel has been Ok in limited action, 35 carries for 105 yards, and not as big a factor in the passing game as I would like. The Chargers may want to keep him, but he may find a bigger role elsewhere.
Easton Stick, quarterback
He’s only thrown one NFL pass in his career, back in 2020. He is on the last year of his rookie deal, four years, $2.7 million, but I always liked what I saw from him in pre-season. Here’s the thing, if Herbert gets hurt (God forbid), the Chargers are sunk anyway, but I like how Stick is built the same as Herbert (big, big arm) and if the Chargers needed him to play, they could use the same concepts. I think he’s worth keeping around.
Kyle Van Noy, linebacker
Van Noy signed a one-year 2.25 million dollar deal after playing for the Lions, Patriots and Dolphins. He’s had to play more than expected with the loss of Joey Bosa. His play? Decent. He has 22 tackles, but zero sacks. The Chargers can get more production here.
Meh
Jeremiah Attaochu, linebacker
The Chargers just picked him up from the Ravens and he had to play against the Niners when everyone got hurt. He’s a short-term rental at best.
Tyeler Davison, defensive tackle
The Chargers signed him, uh, Tuesday off the Browns practice squad since they don’t have any healthy defensive linemen. He had some good years with the Saints and Falcons. He’s another short-term rental, and who knows, if he makes some plays the Chargers might want to keep him, but when Bosa comes back, he’s probably gone.
Chase Daniel, quarterback
Do yourself a favor, look at the spotrac career earnings tab on Daniel and you’ll be astounded. Daniel has made over $41 million in his career for what? A handful of starts since 2009.
Mama, raise your boys to be back-up quarterbacks.
Daniel can go.
Non-priorities
Morgan Fox, defensive end
When the entire defensive line for the Chargers (just about) got hurt against San Francisco, they had to plug in Fox and he got pushed around pretty good. Only 260-pounds, he’s just not a defensive tackle. He can go unless the Chargers find a new position for him.
Troy Reeder, linebacker
Reeder played with the Rams for three years and signed a one-year deal with the Chargers but has barely played. He could probably use a fresh start.
Richard Rodgers, tight end
He’s going to be 31 and had his first Chargers catch last week against the Niners. His best days are behind him.
