In January, coach Brandon Staley talked in regards to the Chargers’ 2021 defensive issues by noting the attrition the crew skilled “up entrance on the level of assault and within the secondary.”
Then, on the NFL scouting mix this month, Staley made a degree to say two areas that should be addressed this offseason: defensive position and secondary.
So, in that slightly clear context, welcome to 2022 free company, the place the Chargers will take their subsequent important strides in reshaping a roster that Staley says must be “full” and “deep” for the crew to enhance.
Negotiations with accessible gamers league-wide can start at 9 a.m. PT Monday. Signings might be turn into official after 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The Chargers’ first main step towards defensive enchancment got here Thursday after they agreed to commerce for edge rusher Khalil Mack, sending Chicago a second-round choose in 2022 and a sixth-rounder in 2023.
There will probably be extra strikes to come back. The Chargers’ different issues coming into free company embrace the suitable facet of their offensive line, working again, tight finish, extensive receiver and linebacker.
Sure, linebacker — the remaining stage of the protection — which means that facet of the road of scrimmage might see notable renovation earlier than Staley’s second coaching camp with the crew opens this summer season.
Among the many choices going through normal supervisor Tom Telesco and his employees are what to do with three younger inner defensive free brokers: edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, sort out Justin Jones and linebacker Kyzir White.
The acquisition of Mack suggests Nwosu received’t be re-signed. On Friday, a message Nwosu shared on Twitter — “Enterprise is enterprise” — appeared to substantiate that his time with the Chargers is ending.
Final season, Jones sat out six video games — 5 due to a calf damage and one whereas on the COVID-19 reserve checklist — and his absence was apparent, notably towards the run.
White emerged in his fourth 12 months, beginning all 17 video games and main the Chargers with 144 tackles, third greatest within the AFC. He additionally had two interceptions and offered the protection with an edginess.
As for exterior free brokers, the Chargers have the cap house to be aggressive consumers, even after Telesco earlier this offseason described his historical past of free-agent spending as being “extra selective.”
The deal for Mack hinted at an offseason that could possibly be fairly energetic for this crew, Staley’s affect over personnel choices on full show given his time along with Mack throughout the 2018 season.
The Chargers are among the many groups which have been linked to J.C. Jackson, widely known as the highest cornerback available on the market. Professional Soccer Focus tasks the previous Patriot’s subsequent deal to be value $18 million yearly.
Another choice the Chargers in all probability will take into account is Darious Williams, a starter for the Rams the final two seasons, together with 2020, when Staley was his defensive coordinator. Williams is PFF’s fifth-ranked free-agent cornerback.
The same connection might be made to defensive sort out Sebastian Joseph-Day, who has began 38 video games for the Rams since 2019. The checklist of distinguished tackles accessible additionally contains former Chicago Bear Akiem Hicks and former Cincinnati Bengal B.J. Hill.
The Chargers completed thirtieth towards the run final season, giving up 138.9 yards per sport. No Chargers protection had been that unhealthy since 2003.
Opponents additionally transformed a league-high 49.5% of third downs. That was the Chargers’ worst exhibiting in 30 years.
“It must be a lot better shifting ahead,” Staley stated. “I do know will probably be. That’s going to happen in time.”
The Chargers misplaced each starters on the suitable facet of their offensive line — sort out Bryan Bulaga and guard Oday Aboushi — to season-ending accidents in 2021. Bulaga, who has a 12 months left on his contract, is predicted to be lower and Aboushi is a pending free agent.
There are many choices in free company, together with guards Laken Tomlinson, Connor Williams and Austin Corbett, and tackles Morgan Moses, Trent Brown and Riley Reiff, all of whom rank among the many greatest accessible by PFF.
Operating again and tight finish are each positions the place the Chargers might use extra depth.
Austin Ekeler produced 20 touchdowns popping out of the backfield final season however wants assist. Veteran tight finish Jared Prepare dinner, introduced in by way of free company a 12 months in the past, just isn't anticipated to return.
The Chargers additionally could possibly be on the lookout for one other extensive receiver, even with Mike Williams signing a three-year extension Tuesday. With a quarterback equivalent to Justin Herbert, too many potential targets isn’t doable.
Regardless of the Chargers are going to appear like within the 2022 season, the picture will proceed to take form very quickly.
Regardless of all the massive names being tossed round, Staley stated the concept wasn’t simply to build up the best quantity of expertise.
“Expertise … that phrase is one thing that doesn’t sit nicely with me as a result of that’s not what constructing a crew is about,” he stated. “There’s a distinction between being a gifted crew and a championship crew. The purpose is to turn into a whole crew. That’s the place we’re headed as a company.”
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