Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers have a lot more cap space this offseason than they did a year ago, but that won’t keep them from making some tough money moves in the coming months.
The Chargers, among 29 other teams that did not make it to the Super Bowl this year, will be looking to make all the right moves this offseason in hopes of gaining ground on both franchises. Some have much more work to do than others, but don’t discount a quick turnaround for any of the underwhelming teams in 2024. I mean, just take a look at what the Commanders did. Hope exists.
Now, as for the Chargers and what they need to do this offseason, NFL.com posted one offseason move all 30 non-Super Bowl teams need to do in order to chase the Chiefs and Eagles. Per analyst Kevin Patra, the Bolts need to make one of the toughest decisions in regards to the longest-tenured played on the team in Joey Bosa.
“Mack was sensational in Jesse Minter’s defense, leading the Chargers with 54 QB pressures,” says Patra. “The 33-year-old proved he can still be a two-way player, earning a -21.0 run stop EPA, which ranked in the top 14 among all edge players, per NGS. Given the dearth of edge rushers hitting the open market this offseason, Mack will likely have many suitors. Jim Harbaugh’s club need not let the future Hall of Famer make it out the door. He fits how the Chargers want to play defense and is the type of mentally tough worker the coach adores. On the flip side, a breakup with Bosa seems likely at this point. A supreme talent, Bosa simply can’t stay healthy. He finished behind rising edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu in both pressures and sacks. It’s baton-handing time in L.A. Cutting Bosa would save the Chargers $25.36 million, per Over the Cap.”
With Khalil Mack having opened the door to playing in 2025, the Chargers will likely do everything they can to make sure he’s back in powder blue. Even with plenty of cap space in 2025, the Chargers cannot continue paying Bosa what they have been on top of getting a deal done for Mack. Bosa had his least-productive season ever when playing at least 14 games. His five sacks in 14 contests were the second-lowest numbers of his career, only better than the 2.5 he had in five healthy games during the 2022 campaign.
Bosa’s cap hit in 2025 will be $36,471,668, the second-highest cap hit in the entire league for a non-quarterback. There a zero percent chance he returns without a new deal, but what exactly would a new and ideal contract look like for him after the past three seasons? Is it even worth trying to negotiate? The Chargers will feel every need to do right by Bosa, but he’ll have to play ball all the same if he wishes to stay in LA and play out what is likely the short remainder of his...
