Official 2026 Chargers News | Acquisitions | Transactions | Injuries

[Bolt4Knob]

Could... should...?

He'll be 33 next year. $15.3 million in already-paid restructure.
Extended how long...? 2025? 2026?

You'd be paying a 35 year old DE $27+m a year. Are you sure he'll still be getting you 16 sacks per year...?

Take the $23m and a draft pick.

The key thing for any contract for Allen or Mack at this stage of the career is to basically write it such that its a series of one year deals that the team can easily get out of after each season. And if that doesn't work - move on.

That applies to the guy you obviously want to keep Joey Bosa as well.

Just because Mack is signed to a contract at whatever figure - unless the dollars are guaranteed, they can be released.

[Bolt4Knob]

what they COULD decide to do, in lieu of Mack or Bosa, is sign a younger top FA to a 4 yr deal:

Josh Allen
Brian Burns
?

They will be $22-24M+/yr Avg but are young enough for a 4 yr deal - 2024 cap can be under $10M but thats just another version of pushing cap that no one wants to do with Mack or Bosa but it brings fresh edge meat into the mix. Something to ponder …

This was my thought as well. Justin Madubuike - he could sign something like 4/90 that Hargraves got from the Niners. But at his age - he might not decline as quickly as say a Mack or Bosa will. But you are spending the same money

My concern with pushing cap for BOsa - is I just want him off the team. Why pay a guy who for two years has played 14 of 34 games and in the one playoff game, helped the other team more than the Cahrgers with his immaturity. He is a net loss as a player. He is not the 3rd pick in the 2016 NFL draft.

As for Mack is when does the play decline for a player who will be 33.5 at the start of the next league year. If the contract is set up with easy outs at the end of every year, thats one thing - if you are writing a "Von Miller" type contract (which is basically a three year deal unless you want to take a $25+m dead cap hit in year 3) - I would go for the younger player like Justin Madubuike over Khalil Mack.

[Go Chargers go]

And will whatever cheap FA/rookie be anywhere near as effective? Nope, why you pay him the big bucks.

We have 2 pass rushers we will be fine. I’m sure they can find a 3 in the draft or IDL that can help. A lot of holes to fill.

[Fouts2herbert]

This was my thought as well. Justin Madubuike - he could sign something like 4/90 that Hargraves got from the Niners. But at his age - he might not decline as quickly as say a Mack or Bosa will. But you are spending the same money

My concern with pushing cap for BOsa - is I just want him off the team. Why pay a guy who for two years has played 14 of 34 games and in the one playoff game, helped the other team more than the Cahrgers with his immaturity. He is a net loss as a player. He is not the 3rd pick in the 2016 NFL draft.

As for Mack is when does the play decline for a player who will be 33.5 at the start of the next league year. If the contract is set up with easy outs at the end of every year, thats one thing - if you are writing a "Von Miller" type contract (which is basically a three year deal unless you want to take a $25+m dead cap hit in year 3) - I would go for the younger player like Justin Madubuike over Khalil Mack.

I think the Linsley and Hendrickson moves bring the cap down to 30mil over right there, then the MWs move clears another 20 mil bringing it down to 10mil over, with Mack and KA renegotiations you can clear about 24mil more without pushing too much money into future years and that puts the team at 14mil under the cap is certainly enough to sign madabuike with the way these contracts are back loaded...

MWs has expressed interest in remaining a charger long term in the past, it wouldn't surprise me if he resigned with us for a lower number, maybe even perhaps after the draft after being cut...except of course if someone makes him a huge offer that he can't refuse...So if the Chargers make those moves the one guy they really might part ways with is Bosa via trade, he might help facilitate the trade by postponing his roster bonus, the trade partner might be okay paying it or perhaps the chargers eat the bonus and get even more cap room with a post June 1st designation with clears an additional 22mil for signing draft picks and final wave free agents after June 1st and before training camp...

[Boltnut]

not To Minimize a Sprained Foot in The NFL, but that is the point.
He has had multiple injuries that could lead to another. Mack had an Injury that made him miss half a season before coming here. He came here and Balled out and is at the top of his game.
it will be easier to fill in around Mack & Tuli.

The goal is not to build back cheaper, it’s Build back better. How do Chargers pay Mack & Allen so we can compete next two years while the rebuild other spots.

Exactly... players get hurt. Then they heal. Then they play again.
In my scenario, I recognize that the $15+m still left on Mack's contract was really just 2022 and 2023's salary... sluffed off on 2024's cap.
Coming off of a 17 sack season, Khalil will want $20+m per year. If you want Khalil for 2 more years... you will have to spend $27.5+m against your cap (20+7.5) for the next 2 years. That's 55+m over the next 2 years.

Meanwhile, I'm only eating the $15+m, saving $23+m against this year's cap, have him off the books in 2025, have a 3rd round pick in my pocket, and can buy 2 free agents with money I just saved against the books. It's not about being cheaper... it's about being better.

[Boltinloudguy]

I think the comp picks will start coming next year because of Ek and Everett and hopefully another player like Gilman. I also think Hortiz takes some flyers on FA players who can have bounce back years and let them walk next year to keep building the comp picks until they have their young nucleus of players. They can sign players like Dobbins, Chuck Clark and maybe Chase Young to prove it deals. Then turn those into comp picks when they leave the following year.

I think an under the radar signing could be DE Mike Danna since he played at Michigan. I do think that one would be for 2-3 years though. Also DT Maurice Hurst to add some veteran depth.

I do think the extra picks start this year with the trades of Mack and Bosa.

[Fouts2herbert]

Exactly... players get hurt. Then they heal. Then they play again.
In my scenario, I recognize that the $15+m still left on Mack's contract was really just 2022 and 2023's salary... sluffed off on 2024's cap.
Coming off of a 17 sack season, Khalil will want $20+m per year. If you want Khalil for 2 more years... you will have to spend $27.5+m against your cap (20+7.5) for the next 2 years. That's 55+m over the next 2 years.

Meanwhile, I'm only eating the $15+m, saving $23+m against this year's cap, have him off the books in 2025, have a 3rd round pick in my pocket, and can buy 2 free agents with money I just saved against the books. It's not about being cheaper... it's about being better.

Me, I like mack, he's the perfect charger, he's humble and stays out of trouble and he's a proper team leader and representative for the team, that and he's durable AND productive, he's basically everything that Bosa is not...I get the age thing and that his trade value is tempting but to us he's worth more than a 3rd round pick even if he's only here for another 2 years...

[Fouts2herbert]

I think the comp picks will start coming next year because of Ek and Everett and hopefully another player like Gilman. I also think Hortiz takes some flyers on FA players who can have bounce back years and let them walk next year to keep building the comp picks until they have their young nucleus of players. They can sign players like Dobbins, Chuck Clark and maybe Chase Young to prove it deals. Then turn those into comp picks when they leave the following year.

I think an under the radar signing could be DE Mike Danna since he played at Michigan. I do think that one would be for 2-3 years though. Also DT Maurice Hurst to add some veteran depth.

I do think the extra picks start this year with the trades of Mack and Bosa.

That and Alexander will probably become a GM somewhere else next season, that gives you instant 3rd rounder un 2025 and another in 2026...I'm not worried about the comp picks anymore, Hortiz learned from the best to ever do it...

[Boltnut]

Cut: MW, Linsley, Kendricks ($35.4 savings)
Restructure: Bosa, Derwin ($18+m savings)
You are 7.75m under the cap before March 13th (beginning of the new year)... and you haven't touched Khalil's or Keenan's contract.

Trade Khalil for a 3rd round pick ($23+m savings). Now you are $31m under the cap.
Extend Keenan until 2026. ($8m savings). Now you are $39m under the cap.
45 rostered players, with 9 picks in your pocket. There are also several ERFA's you can re-sign (Dicker obviously).
Go get a free agent RB (D'Andre Swift) and a free agent TE (Hunter Henry) to insure yourself against PON panic drafting.
OTC has Swift @$5.7m APY and Hunter Henry @$6.5m APY. You are still $27m under the cap.

If you can, trade back several spots and pick up extra picks. If I could choose, I'd trade back to the #11 pick (MIN) and pick up an extra 2nd rounder (#42) and an extra 4th rounder (#130). $27m under the cap. two 2nd rounders, two 3rd rounders, and two 4th rounders... that's 12 draft picks in all.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Cut: MW, Linsley, Kendricks ($35.4 savings)
Restructure: Bosa, Derwin ($18+m savings)
You are 7.75m under the cap before March 13th (beginning of the new year)... and you haven't touched Khalil's or Keenan's contract.

Trade Khalil for a 3rd round pick ($23+m savings). Now you are $31m under the cap.
Extend Keenan until 2026. ($17.5m savings). Now you are $39m under the cap.
45 rostered players, with 9 picks in your pocket. There are also several ERFA's you can re-sign (Dicker obviously).
Go get a free agent RB (D'Andre Swift) and a free agent TE (Hunter Henry) to insure yourself against PON panic drafting.
OTC has Swift @$5.7m APY and Hunter Henry @$6.5m APY. You are still $27m under the cap.

If you can, trade back several spots and pick up extra picks. If I could choose, I'd trade back to the #11 pick (MIN) and pick up an extra 2nd rounder (#42) and an extra 4th rounder (#130). $27m under the cap. two 2nd rounders, two 3rd rounders, and two 4th rounders... that's 12 draft picks in all.

Decent plan!

[Bolt4Knob]

Cut: MW, Linsley, Kendricks ($35.4 savings)
Restructure: Bosa, Derwin ($18+m savings)
You are 7.75m under the cap before March 13th (beginning of the new year)... and you haven't touched Khalil's or Keenan's contract.

Trade Khalil for a 3rd round pick ($23+m savings). Now you are $31m under the cap.
Extend Keenan until 2026. ($8m savings). Now you are $39m under the cap.
45 rostered players, with 9 picks in your pocket. There are also several ERFA's you can re-sign (Dicker obviously).
Go get a free agent RB (D'Andre Swift) and a free agent TE (Hunter Henry) to insure yourself against PON panic drafting.
OTC has Swift @$5.7m APY and Hunter Henry @$6.5m APY. You are still $27m under the cap.

If you can, trade back several spots and pick up extra picks. If I could choose, I'd trade back to the #11 pick (MIN) and pick up an extra 2nd rounder (#42) and an extra 4th rounder (#130). $27m under the cap. two 2nd rounders, two 3rd rounders, and two 4th rounders... that's 12 draft picks in all.

27m under the cap but still needing to sign players like Dicker, your rookie class that will cost $12-13m, pay the practice squad and injured reserve in season fund. So basically, - you are capped out at this point if you sign Swift and Henry.

My numbers are the same - -but I am just releasing Joey Bosa because he is overrated and overpaid and not a winner.

Allen - fine extend him

Mack -- see what the market holds for trade. If not good value - -reworking his contract

One more thing, I can June 1 both Linsley and Bosa to give myself $10m more of cap space if need be for 2024 as I will still be about $50 under next years cap if you release Bosa, Linsley retires, pay Mack and Allen, and two draft classes, have a 53 man roster, etc.

[Bolt4Knob]

I think the comp picks will start coming next year because of Ek and Everett and hopefully another player like Gilman. I also think Hortiz takes some flyers on FA players who can have bounce back years and let them walk next year to keep building the comp picks until they have their young nucleus of players. They can sign players like Dobbins, Chuck Clark and maybe Chase Young to prove it deals. Then turn those into comp picks when they leave the following year.

I think an under the radar signing could be DE Mike Danna since he played at Michigan. I do think that one would be for 2-3 years though. Also DT Maurice Hurst to add some veteran depth.

I do think the extra picks start this year with the trades of Mack and Bosa.

I think this will be the plan. See if Everett Ek and possibly Gilman sign as free agents and sing a bunch of guys to make good prove it deals.