Chargers Wide Receivers Situation

 

 

The Los Angeles Chargers went 5-12 last season and fired their head coach mid way through the season. The Brandon Staley era in Los Angeles did not go as planned for the Chargers front office, players, and fans that thought Staley was going to take the league by storm. The era is remembered by the Chargers blowing a 27-0 playoff lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022. It was time to move on but they are still in a good situation. 

The Chargers have their QB of the future with Justin Herbert who is 25 years old and just signed a 5 year extension, he is locked up to be the Chargers signal caller for many more years to come. But the wide receiver situation could be alarming from the outside looking in. The Chargers are in cap space hell moving into the offseason. The Chargers have to pay Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams all set to have a cap hit of 30 million plus. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams combined are set to have a cap hit of 66 million next year. 

The Chargers drafted Quentin Johnston with the 21st pick in the 2023 NFL draft to replace Allen or Williams due to their contract. But Johnson did not look the part this season as he went for 38 catches, 431 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Johnson had a disappointing season and can not turn to him to be a WR2 to replace Allen or Williams. Joshua Palmer out performed him so Johnson turned into a WR4 this past season even though he was a first round pick.

The Chargers could look for another receiver but they own the 5th overall pick in the NFL Draft. This draft class was loaded with wide receiver talent and could find them getting a STUD at wide receiver.  Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze could be the pick for the Chargers. The Chargers could draft one of the dudes at WR but moving on from Allen or Williams will be hard to do. Mike Williams is 29 years old with 1 year left on his deal and taking up 13% of the cap for the Chargers. Keenan Allen is 31 years old with 1 year left on his deal and taking up 13.9% of the cap for the Chargers. No team will take an aging veteran with 1 year left on the deal when they sign them after the contract for a lesser contract. With the contracts of Williams and Allen, missing on the Johnson pick, and new head coach has made an interesting scenario for the Chargers this offseason but mainly at the wide receiver position.


As Always Ya Boy,

Jake "Monstah" Lynch

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