Official 2025 Chargers Discussion | 2025 Roster Build | Free Agency and Draft

[Jack Burton]

Just for fun I added a few more FA and re-signed Slater and cut Bosa:

1) Elijah Molden CB: 3yr/18mil - Avg: 6mil/yr 1st yr- 5.6mil)
2) Poona Ford DE: 1yr/6mil - Avg: 6mil/yr (1st yr- 2.6mil)
3) Teair Tart DT: 1yr/5mil - Avg: 5mil/yr (1st yr- 2.7mil)
4) JK Dobbins RB: 2yr/8mil - Avg: 4mil/yr (1st yr- 2.8mil)
5) Khalil Mack ED: 3yr/70mil - Avg: 23mil/yr (1st yr- 10mil)
6) Tony Jefferson S: 1yr/1.1mil - Avg: 1.1mil/yr (1st yr- 1.1mil)
7) Troy Dye LB: 1yr/1.8mil - Avg: 1.8mil/yr (1st yr- 1.6mil)
8) Denzel Perryman LB: 1yr/4.3mil - Avg: 4.3mil/yr (1st yr- 2.4mil)
9) Bradley Bozeman OC: 2yr/8mil - Avg: 4mil/yr (1st yr- 2.2mil)
10) Kristian Fulton CB: 2yr/6mil - Avg: 3mil/yr (1st yr- 2.5mil)

Re-signed Slater LT: 5yr/140mil - Avg: 28mil/yr (1st yr - 9mil) Might be a 4-yr deal.
Ryan Kelly C: 1yr/10mil - Avg: 10mil/yr (1st yr- 4.2 mil)
Will Fries OG: 4yr/56mil - Avg: 14mil/yr (1st yr- 5.4mil)
D.J Reed CB: 4yr/58mil - Avg: 14.5mil/yr (1st yr- 7.1mil)
Milton Williams DT: 3yr/36mil - Avg: 12mil/yr (1st yr- 5mil)
Chase Young ED: 4yr/25mil - Avg: 6.25mil/yr (1st yr- 7.6mil)


After I was done, I had about 48mil left in cap space. If they sign Devante as well, I'm guessing they will have somewhere around 35mil. If I cut Pip, I would have 54mil in cap space before signing Devante.

I just don’t understand why folks here are saying we can’t go big in FA. This is totally doable.
The FO could legitimately go build a Philadelphia type defense in this FA and draft and STILL cut Bosa.
As a matter of fact, cutting Bosa is to me a foregone conclusion. That move only helps facilitate a better defense overall and gets an aging contract off the books. It’s just good, sound money managing.

Oh, and go ahead and cut Pip too…LOL

[Boltjolt]

Adams is playing at a higher level than Allen at the same age. Just watch the film. Watch it. He is a better WR than Allen. Also not my preference. I would prefer to draft a WR and find somebody to be WR3

Flacco is a back up QB. Maybe Taylor Heinecke is better. I know its not Easton Stick

I agree about the OL -- I would prefer a young guy both at RG and Center

My philosophy is more Belichick, Rams and Walsh -a year early over a year late. The Patriots got rid of Seymour, McGinest, Milloy, Mankins. The Rams aren't afraid to move on from anybody.

Is he? You dont think ive seen their games? Adams with Rodgers for 11 games, Minshew only 3 games and Keenan with rookie Caleb Williams who was sacked the most in the league with a shit OL? Bears offfense was brutal thru 11 games, then changed their OC.

Should Keenan of had as good a season? He still did pretty decent. I think they both are still playing at a high level. Keenan has the better career catch rate by 5% and thats after taking a hit on it by having Caleb as his QB (15% lower last season than the year before w/ us)

Not saying i want Keenan back but ill trust what Harbaugh and Hortiz do. Adams would be ok too,... im not waving a flag for him. Just because Keenan says he will play in only Chicago or LA doesnt mean we should call him. But they might, who knows. Same with Adams. There are other west coast teams. Im not trading for him, i know that.

Right, Stick isnt sticking here. Flacco shouldnt be brought in.

Rams are cutting cap. They draft very well. Stafford won them a SB, they got out of him what they traded for. He is sliding down the hill as well.I get it. Kupp is annual injury with a big cap hit. Has missed 18 games the past 3 years.
Between those two thats 79 mil of cap space for next season. Stafford dont save them much by trading him and absorb a huge dead cap. Huge dead cap hits for moving both.

[Chargers8491]

I just don’t understand why folks here are saying we can’t go big in FA. This is totally doable.
The FO could legitimately go build a Philadelphia type defense in this FA and draft and STILL cut Bosa.
As a matter of fact, cutting Bosa is to me a foregone conclusion. That move only helps facilitate a better defense overall and gets an aging contract off the books. It’s just good, sound money managing.

Oh, and go ahead and cut Pip too…LOL

I think one issue is that these contracts will catch up toward the last years of the contract. However, they can always rollover the unused cap as well as either cut or extend the player. Also, I just used the minimum for the base salary for the 1st year. If the base salary increases so will the 1st yr cap hit. I think Spotrac market value is really close it's just the base salary is hard to predict until you get all the contract details.

[Fouts2herbert]

I just don’t understand why folks here are saying we can’t go big in FA. This is totally doable.
The FO could legitimately go build a Philadelphia type defense in this FA and draft and STILL cut Bosa.
As a matter of fact, cutting Bosa is to me a foregone conclusion. That move only helps facilitate a better defense overall and gets an aging contract off the books. It’s just good, sound money managing.

Oh, and go ahead and cut Pip too…LOL

Funny you mentioned Philly because that team is mostly built thru the draft, especially that defense, so to build a "Philadelphia type defense" as you say is to build it thru draft picks...

Who are the big money free agent signing on Philly's roster? they gave top of the market contract to Barkley but RBs don't make squat, someone posted that Barkley's deal is that equivalent of like the #36 WR contract in the NFL in terms of APY $

Their star WR was a trade acquisition from the Titans...look at the playoff in 2024 and you'll see teams that have been for the most part built thru the DRAFT not in big money free agency...

looking back at 2024 playoff teams...

The Ravens, built thru the draft

The Steelers built thru the draft

The Commanders built thru the draft

The Chiefs built thru the draft

The Bills built thru the draft and a trade, their markee free agent signing Von Miller has been a huge dud...

The Eagles built thru the draft and a trade

The Lions built thru the draft and a trade

The Packers built thru the draft

The Vikings built thru the draft a couple of trades and low tier free agency, they paid 10 mil for their starting QB last offseason

The Broncos finally drafted their own QB and went to the playoffs, the roster features a subpar RT overpaid free agent, but team otherwise built thru the draft

The Texans mostly built thru draft a couple of big trades and mid and low tier free agency

The Charges built with Hortiz duct tape in 2024, they are an aberration mix and match Telesco aging trash parts and stellar bargain basement finds by Hortiz otherwise this team really didn't belong in the playoffs, one of the worse rosters in the NFL top to bottom but they have a franchise QB which Telesco did draft, credit were credit I guess...

The Buccaneers also picked up low cost retread QB free agent signing like the vikings, but otherwise that team is draft built...

The Rams made a big trade for Stafford, but the rest of that team is built thru the draft and features a LOT of impact day three picks, some compensatory picks at that...



You want to build like Philly does then sit back and let Hortiz show us how it's done correctly thru the draft...BTW, I'm not judging anyone that wants quick fixes and short cuts, I used to want those things too when I was younger, but from almost half a century of following the sport, and studying the most successful eras in Charger history, those teams were ALWAYS. built thru the draft...Gates and Dielman might've been undrafted rookie free agents but they were discovered by the Chargers and were relative unknowns that signed cheap deals...

[Boltjolt]

Just for fun I added a few more FA and re-signed Slater and cut Bosa:

1) Elijah Molden CB: 3yr/18mil - Avg: 6mil/yr 1st yr- 5.6mil)
2) Poona Ford DE: 1yr/6mil - Avg: 6mil/yr (1st yr- 2.6mil)
3) Teair Tart DT: 1yr/5mil - Avg: 5mil/yr (1st yr- 2.7mil)
4) JK Dobbins RB: 2yr/8mil - Avg: 4mil/yr (1st yr- 2.8mil)
5) Khalil Mack ED: 3yr/70mil - Avg: 23mil/yr (1st yr- 10mil)
6) Tony Jefferson S: 1yr/1.1mil - Avg: 1.1mil/yr (1st yr- 1.1mil)
7) Troy Dye LB: 1yr/1.8mil - Avg: 1.8mil/yr (1st yr- 1.6mil)
8) Denzel Perryman LB: 1yr/4.3mil - Avg: 4.3mil/yr (1st yr- 2.4mil)
9) Bradley Bozeman OC: 2yr/8mil - Avg: 4mil/yr (1st yr- 2.2mil)
10) Kristian Fulton CB: 2yr/6mil - Avg: 3mil/yr (1st yr- 2.5mil)

Re-signed Slater LT: 5yr/140mil - Avg: 28mil/yr (1st yr - 9mil) Might be a 4-yr deal.
Ryan Kelly C: 1yr/10mil - Avg: 10mil/yr (1st yr- 4.2 mil)
Will Fries OG: 4yr/56mil - Avg: 14mil/yr (1st yr- 5.4mil)
D.J Reed CB: 4yr/58mil - Avg: 14.5mil/yr (1st yr- 7.1mil)
Milton Williams DT: 3yr/36mil - Avg: 12mil/yr (1st yr- 5mil)
Chase Young ED: 4yr/25mil - Avg: 6.25mil/yr (1st yr- 7.6mil)


After I was done, I had about 48mil left in cap space. If they sign Devante as well, I'm guessing they will have somewhere around 35mil. If I cut Pip, I would have 54mil in cap space before signing Devante.

We arent signing Mack for 3 years / 70 mil. Thats crazy and dont care who foolishly projected that. It isnt realistic. It would have to be some fake contract to get his cap hit way lower. We can afford him on a one year deal and from his indications, thats what he wants.

Not sure we bring back Jefferson though he played well when he got a chance to play. Dont want Chase or Milton. Loved Milton in his draft but he is not a good run defender and our defense gave up 4.7 YPC last season. Need to be better there.

I know this is your opinion and thoughts which is cool, im just commenting on it with mine. Chase keeps getting signed but not for long and no way im giving him 4 years on that contract when he has a tendecy to not give it his all.

[powderblueboy]

Funny you mentioned Philly because that team is mostly built thru the draft, especially that defense, so to build a "Philadelphia type defense" as you say is to build it thru draft picks...

Who are the big money free agent signing on Philly's roster? they gave top of the market contract to Barkley but RBs don't make squat, someone posted that Barkley's deal is that equivalent of like the #36 WR contract in the NFL in terms of APY $

Their star WR was a trade acquisition from the Titans...look at the playoff in 2024 and you'll see teams that have been for the most part built thru the DRAFT not in big money free agency...

looking back at 2024 playoff teams...

The Ravens, built thru the draft

The Steelers built thru the draft

The Commanders built thru the draft

The Chiefs built thru the draft

The Bills built thru the draft and a trade, their markee free agent signing Von Miller has been a huge dud...

The Eagles built thru the draft and a trade

The Lions built thru the draft and a trade

The Packers built thru the draft

The Vikings built thru the draft a couple of trades and low tier free agency, they paid 10 mil for their starting QB last offseason

The Broncos finally drafted their own QB and went to the playoffs, the roster features a subpar RT overpaid free agent, but team otherwise built thru the draft

The Texans mostly built thru draft a couple of big trades and mid and low tier free agency

The Charges built with Hortiz duct tape in 2024, they are an aberration mix and match Telesco aging trash parts and stellar bargain basement finds by Hortiz otherwise this team really didn't belong in the playoffs, one of the worse rosters in the NFL top to bottom but they have a franchise QB which Telesco did draft, credit were credit I guess...

The Buccaneers also picked up low cost retread QB free agent signing like the vikings, but otherwise that team is draft built...

The Rams made a big trade for Stafford, but the rest of that team is built thru the draft and features a LOT of impact day three picks, some compensatory picks at that...



You want to build like Philly does then sit back and let Hortiz show us how it's done correctly thru the draft...BTW, I'm not judging anyone that wants quick fixes and short cuts, I used to want those things too when I was younger, but from almost half a century of following the sport, and studying the most successful eras in Charger history, those teams were ALWAYS. built thru the draft...Gates and Dielman might've been undrafted rookie free agents but they were discovered by the Chargers and were relative unknowns that signed cheap deals...

You can't replicate what Philly did merely by deciding to draft Dlineman high, in the first two rounds .... Philly drafted a ton of guys that seemed to have fallen in the draft: Carter, Cooper Dejean, Nolan Smith, Nakobe Dean .... and they drafted the intriguing freak in Jordan Davis. Only with Davis was Philly rolling the dice, the others ..... ? They just seemed to take the consensus guy who fell on D. Then, with a solid Oline and QB, bring in your weapons as free agents.

[powderblueboy]

The Ravens, not the Eagles model, is probably realistic. Big fire hydrants at DT drafted in the 3rd round type guys.

[Eurobolt]

The massive difference is we have a coaching staff that can develop players, on top of this 4 (5) starters in past draft is massive upgrade to what we have during dark times (TT).

I do not care which positions coz if they bring again 4-5 starters via draft that will be top results over past 2 years.

[beachcomber]

QB * personally would take Minshew and the comp pick over resigning Heinicke, and.... like Donovan Smith as our emergency QB3
RB * given that we went Alt rather than Nabers last go 'round, am just hard pressed to see Omarion @22.... might be nice to have his talent back there, but still leaning lineman early, if not the first two rounds, and.... Jeanty scares me if for nothing else than Rashaad Penny, and also don't like his Penn St. game, as recall Melvin Gordon doing not so well against Ohio State to close out his season, and in comparison when Marshall Faulk went into the Coliseum against USC, and where the whole world knew he was getting the ball, and he still ran for 300 yards, and.... no matter how tempting he might be, and would actually be a bit on the excited side if he did become a Charger, but TreVeyon just has a bit too much Jason Verrett to his gig by my suspicion, and w/his JK compare, just don't want to be left in the same straits we were of late, to be without our starting RB heading into the playoffs, and so.... I'd prefer to wait 'til round three here, and bring in some Hosses.... Damien Martinez, Raheim and Kalel, and know that the undersized LBs and DBs around the League would prolly not be looking forward to an afternoon of getting ramrodded by our offensive backfield of oversized RBs

WR * pretty simple for me, as not overly excited by any one wideout @present, and do think our youngin's in Ladd 'n QJ might benefit from a vet FA here, and would rather have Keenan @half the price of a Devante, and given that don't really relish the idea of spending over $10m @any one position in FA, and as that is what my offer to Allen would top out @.... would also bring back Simi, unless you can surprise me w/someone in the draft or FA

TE * tougher call here, as there is def some talent, and we have a need here, if not two of 'em, and.... not in the Loveland/Warren camp, albeit do expect the former to be in our JH2 cluster, and.... could understand us nabbing Taylor day two, albeit again don't see spending a second on him, and would rather take my chances in the third w/him, and.... 'nother guy that might be tempting is Fanin, albeit just not sold on him and don't see any reason to take such a gambit when better or safer gambits abound, and.... personally like Arroyo or Gadsden as would prefer a Smartt sequel and to get a pass catching variety, and after I've secured a hedge here in FA, preferably Noah Fant, unless again you've got a better idea

OT * do wonder if they are considering bringing back Sarell, or if they'd consider moving Salyer back to OT @all, coz otherwise thinkin' it might be a good idea to upgrade our depth here, albeit again it might cost more draft capital than we are willing to allocate, and as there might be a good get middle rounds

OG * do agree that 'tis unlikely Zion gets extended for a fifth year, but don't agree that now is the time to cut ties w/him, as do think he is more than sufficient, and sometime really good, and prolly (much) better w/a better pass blocking OC alongside of him, and so.... focus for me is RG then OC, and.... if not Grant @22, then lookin' @Donovan Jackson there, as first thought he was a day two get, but after doing as he did @LT, think you could justify a day one selection on him.... dunno ?? otherwise not so excited 'bout day three OG prospects, as would prolly spend the capital on a Savaiinaea if need be, and had the opportunity.

OC * not sure of the Boze returns or not.... if so, would lean (heavily) toward nabbing Jared Wilson, as not sold on the talent after him, and hope he is ready to step in come the playoffs and would suspect first injury or mishap on Bradley's part relegates him to the bench, and prolly not to return, and if Wilson develops as eye think he might, and.... Dalman or otherwise might be nice, but not liking the injury history and over the hillness associated w/some of the FA centers that have been bandied about here

[beachcomber]

The massive difference is we have a coaching staff that can develop players, on top of this 4 (5) starters in past draft is massive upgrade to what we have during dark times (TT).

I do not care which positions coz if they bring again 4-5 starters via draft that will be top results over past 2 years.

my thought post last draft is that they hit on nearly everyone there, save perhaps for Vidal 'n Cornelius, and.... not sure 'bout Rice, and regardless.... Joe hit on more than 50 percent of his picks, which is the avg for most GMs, and so....

chances are that Joe will hit on @least 7 of his picks this go 'round, if not 8 ?? !!

[jamrock]

my thought post last draft is that they hit on nearly everyone there, save perhaps for Vidal 'n Cornelius, and.... not sure 'bout Rice, and regardless.... Joe hit on more than 50 percent of his picks, which is the avg for most GMs, and so....

chances are that Joe will hit on @least 7 of his picks this go 'round, if not 8 ?? !!

Hits: Alt, McConkey, Still and Hart. All played meaningful snaps and made contributions

Misses: Junior, Justin, Vidal, and the 7th round WRs. There's still a chance Junior becomes a player and maybe Justin but as of today, no.

so less than 50% and below your average. It just looked good because the 5th round CBs worked out so far and in comparison to Telesco looked impressive

[beachcomber]

DT * in my roster build, am not bringing Matlock back, and so there is a roster spot here, and waver/vascillate between how all world Grant might be, but would really like it if he is as good as eye sometime suspect, as Poona & Teair are not forever and we just don't have much if any youth on the Dline, and.... if Grant is the goods, then most oversized IDL go middle of the first or earlier, and so if he is there @22, might be really good value, and.... do have an eye out for the likes of an Omarr or Nazir, if we do miss out on/pass on KG, and decide that we need to fill that roster spot regardless/later

DE * not sure that Fox survives the budget/cap allocation, as won't be surprised if they deem Eboigbe ready enough to man his snaps, and given that they might be able to nab a Howard Cross in the draft, and of whom might be an ideal replacement/roster fill here @4i or whatever you wanna call it

ED * will be surprised if Bosa returns, as just don't see paying him any more than that $3m/year that some here have proffered/volunteered, and as would likely be perceived as a bit of an insult, and.... dude needs to be on the field, and despite that when he is, he's still pretty darn good, and def had a good outing against Houston, and.... would he be willing to play second fiddle to Tuli and/or Bud, and.... would hope that we can work something out w/Khalil, but again not willing to go over the $15m mark w/him, as we just have to field a full house roster, and not overpay for anyone, even our Mack Daddy.... would like to see us sneak in a Malcolm Koonce or the like via FA, as not sure that Tuimoloau is gonna slot to us in this stanza, and not sold on your production guys without the measurables or level of comp, nor the measurables/traits guys w/little to no production, and as JT has 'em both, and.... as mentioned, not sure he slots to us, and.... guessing that Joe's track record suggests he's gonna hedge his bets @every position he can in FA

OLB * think we're good here w/Daiyan 'n Dye, albeit do like this Teddye guy....
ILB * and could use the same argument w/Denzel that I used w/Dobbins 'n TreVeyon, as his absence cost us in the playoffs, and.... just like the guy, so would bring him back, and as Colson hasn't quite come into his own yet, and.... do like Cody Simon some in the draft

CB * rarely mentioned here, and personally would def hold onto Asante here, and as the moneyballers rarely account for him on their Aim Higher prognosis, and.... think his skill set is valuable, and.... would also bring back Fulton, and.... would look @both FA and/or the draft for depth.... not an advocate of the axiom, and.... can you ever have enough CBs ??

SAF * little bit of a wildcard here, but perhaps not so much, as will be surprised if JH2 strays from a linemen first philosophy in the draft, albeit there does seem to be some talent here in the draft, and some of us/you are purporting as much 'bout FA here as well ?? we could use someone to spell Derwin, as not sure his cap hit isn't gonna be an issue before too very long, and.... might not quite be time to make a move yet