The Los Angeles Chargers could move on from Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams. Separating from those four contracts would save over 80 million dollars in cap space.
According to ESPN and the Athletic, the Los Angeles Chargers have some major decisions to make very soon. The decisions are based on the contracts of four franchise superstars. Edge rusher Joey Bosa, edge rusher Khalil Mack, wide receiver Keenan Allen, and wide receiver Mike Williams.
Per Jeremy Fowler:
-Keenan likely to be back with the Chargers on a reworked/new contract
-Khalil Mack trade interest is real
-Expectation is Mike Williams will be released
-Joey Bosa is the wild card pic.twitter.com/JLWPUSfWcO— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) March 3, 2024
If all four were moved, roughly 80.8 million dollars would be saved. The Chargers are 25 million dollars over the cap, so every dollar matters.
Los Angeles Chargers Cap Details
According to the Athletic, “How the Chargers approach their cap sheet will set the tone for the rest of their offseason. The team restructured four contracts in 2023. As a result, Khalil Mack ($38.52 million) and Joey Bosa ($36.61 million) have the two highest 2024 cap hits among NFL edge rushers, and Keenan Allen ($34.72 million) and Mike Williams ($32.46 million) have the two highest cap hits among NFL receivers, according to Over the Cap.”
These four players are franchise players. Even Khalil Mack, who joined the team two seasons ago, had his best season with 17 sacks. Each of the other three players has been with the franchise since being drafted. Whatever move they decide to make will be with a heavy heart.
Most Likely to be Cut
Many options are available for all four players. One name is the most likely cut candidate: wide receiver Mike Williams.
“Williams is coming off an ACL tear and is in the final year of his deal, which is why some are wondering whether Los Angeles will release him outright, but he’s also an immense talent.” According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Mike Williams is an immense talent, as Fowler mentioned. The issue isn’t talent. It is the ability to stay on the field. Williams has only started one full season once in his career. In that season, he had 76 catches for 1,146 yards.
The expectation would be to cut Mike Williams.
Edge Trade Candidates
A roster cut is not the only option. Trade rumors are buzzing for Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
“A Bosa trade before June 1 would save the Chargers $14.39 million, according to Over the Cap. After June 1, they would save $22 million. A trading team would be taking on the final two years of Bosa’s contract, which pays him a base salary of $15 million in 2024 and $17 million in 2025. Mack only has one year remaining on his deal, so the cap savings are the same for pre- and post-June 1: $23.25 million. A post-June 1 designation on a cut or trade allows a team to spread dead money over multiple seasons.” According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic.
Both of these players would add value to any team. Bosa’s asking price would be very high, while Mack’s would be reasonable.
The expectation would be for Khalil Mack to be traded and Joey Bosa to stay with the Chargers.
Does Keenan Allen get a new deal?
Keenan Allen has been the face of the Los Angeles Chargers for the past decade. This past season, he had one of his best seasons as a Charger. Allen played 13 games, caught 108 passes, and had 1,243 yards with 7 touchdowns.
Allen turns 32 in April. With the amount of turnover happening for the LA Chargers, he might be a piece they hold onto for a few more seasons.
” Allen has $11.62 million in prorated signing bonus remaining on his current deal for 2024. The Chargers will have to wear that on the cap even if they get an extension done. Beyond that, though, they have plenty of flexibility as far as lowering Allen’s cap hit for 2024 on a new deal. His $18.1 million base salary, for instance, is not guaranteed, and that gives them room to maneuver with a potential new deal.” According to The Athletic.
Flexibility is key. So is a willingness to work with the front office. Allen said in January that he wants to retire as a Charger: “I don’t want to go nowhere else.”
The expectation is that a new deal/extension will be completed for Keenan Allen.
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