The Los Angeles Chargers had an unforgettable 2023 season, finishing with a 5-12 record, and currently hold the 5th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
To make matters worse, Los Angeles is in salary cap hell, as they were $44 million over the cap.
Thankfully, one of their elite players has agreed to a restructured contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers and their elite center have agreed to a restructured contract.
Corey Linsley and Los Angeles have agreed to a restructured contract per Field Yates of ESPN. This roster move lowers his base salary from $11.5 million to the minimum for 2024, creating $10.29 million in cap space. If he retires after June 1st, they can spread the dead cap over the next two years.
Chargers C Corey Linsley agreed to a restructured contract that lowers his base salary from $11.5M to the minimum for the 2024 season.
This moves creates $10.29M in cap space for now and if Linsley retires after June 1st, the team can spread the dead cap hit over 2 years.…
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 19, 2024
Why does this move matter?
Corey Linsley’s contract restructuring is important for two reasons.
First, this creates cap space. Los Angeles now has around -$35 million in cap space as they are one step closer to getting under the cap.
Second, Linsley is expected to retire this offseason. Los Angeles placed Linsley on the reserve/non-football illness list on September 29 because he was diagnosed with a non-emergent heart-related issue and missed the remainder of the 2023 season.
Linsley told reporters in January that he is “99% sure” he will retire.
“After my last appointment, I met with a specialist whose entire career is on this particular portion of the heart,” Linsley said. “His advice was to stop playing. 99 percent sure that’s what’s going to happen.”
Other roster moves will likely follow.
As mentioned before, Los Angeles has around -$35 million in cap space, and they need to keep making roster moves to get under the cap. Notable players who could be restructured, traded, or released include Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Eric Kendricks, and Morgan Fox.
What now for the center position?
Because Los Angeles doesn’t have the necessary cap space to sign big-name free agents, they are better off drafting their starting center of the future.
Some notable prospects in the 2024 draft class include Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, West Virginia’s Zach Frazier, Georgia’s Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Michigan’s Drake Nugent, and Arkansas’ Beaux Limmer just to name a few.
How does the Los Angeles Chargers handle the center position moving forward, and hopefully Corey Linsley will have a speedy recovery and enjoys his time with his family.
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