Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | 2nd Wave Of Free Agency

[21&500]

Glad Ladd was able to see Allen break the record because he's next in a few years.

[21&500]

With how much Herbert is getting hit these days, are Jim's pregame jabs really needed?

[dmac_bolt]

All our WR deserve some props, but Harris has been outstanding. I cannot recall a rookie WR pulling and leading plays in the run game, and he not only does it but excels at it. Not many vet WR do it well.

I think Harris would be getting a lot more action if he had been on the roster last year. He isn't getting as much action, as many looks in the passing game but that is partly due to having Johnston, McConkey and Allen all on the roster too. All got off to a good start and who do you take off to get Harris on the field? Harris has been getting good reps, which I think says a lot given how the first 3 are playing.

He's getting a good number of reps. he's getting a lot less targets because he's the most likely receiver on run plays (Gro needs to watch out that this tendency doesn't become a tell - if X-post trollers can figure it out, DCs already have)

He's the best blocking WR we have- and he just got here. really really good, 100% agree.

[powderblueboy]

With how much Herbert is getting hit these days, are Jim's pregame jabs really needed?

Yes, toughening herbert up to take all the punishment

[YAC]

If there is an elite Edge, i think you have to go with that for the team cap value. It’s almost impossible to afford an elite edge player on the FA market now. Joe can afford the highest priced IOL FA on the market if he wants to, heck - he could buy the top two and still have change vs one top Edge FA

100% agree.

For anyone doubting dmac_bolt's point consider this:
KMack is getting paid $27 mil this year. That one contract is $8 mil more than 9 other defensive starters combined salaries! And reality: at his age he's good-not-great.

Securing good affordable edge pressure is golden.

[Topcat]

Yes, toughening herbert up to take all the punishment

Is that you, Collinsworth?

[Boltjolt]

I really like the Chargers WR core going forward. IMHO, Harris needs to get more playing time, but QJ and KA are in his way. I'm not sure what next year holds for KA, if he is coming back or is he going to retire. If he leaves that will open up a spot for Harris.

They could trade QJ, but I just don't see that happening because KA isn't going to be a here much longer. They also have KLS in the wings as well. It will be interesting to see what they do with WR room this offseason.

I'm not worried about Harris. His time will come. This just happens to be a season that so far we had no injuries at WR. A good problem to have is how I see it and Harris will be fine and showing well in the snaps he does get.

I hope we can bring Keenan back.

[Chargers8491]

I'm not worried about Harris. His time will come. This just happens to be a season that so far we had no injuries at WR. A good problem to have is how I see it and Harris will be fine and showing well in the snaps he does get.

I hope we can bring Keenan back.

Not really too worried about Harris either I would like to see him get more involved. He is an awesome blocker.

I also would like to see KA back. He can still play at a high level.

[jamrock]

100% agree.

For anyone doubting dmac_bolt's point consider this:
KMack is getting paid $27 mil this year. That one contract is $8 mil more than 9 other defensive starters combined salaries! And reality at his age he's good-not-great.

Securing good affordable edge pressure is golden.

KMack as in Kahlil Mack? He's getting g $18m this year

[beachcomber]

So this is only an exercise... If you hate reading, then skip this post.

The strategy: (1) Re-build of the IOL (2) Retain most of the 2026 free agents (3) Sign very few outside free agents (in hopes of getting comp picks) think it much more likely we get picks by way of losing Alexander than players

The means: I will use OTC's 2026 Salary Cap Calculator tool. I will use OTC's Valuation tool to estimate players values.


Players I cut: RG Mekhi Becton (cap savings of $10m). Also cut Marlow Wax, Jordan Oladokun, Savion Washington, and Josh Fuga because I don't think they make the 53-man roster.

Players I re-sign (don't count against the comp calculation):

Khalil Mack ($18m) He's so valuable. Re-sign @this year's salary. $15m
Teair Tart ($8m) This is about what Poona Ford got from the Rams. Tart is playing just as well.
Da'Shawn Hand ($4m) A pay raise for his good production.
Naquan Jones ($2m) A slight pay raise.
Odafe Oweh ($10m) This is his approximate salary this year. Edge rushers cost money even with modest production.
Denzel Perryman ($2.5m) Slight increase. We are a better run defense with him. Insurance against another Colson injury. $3.5m
Benjamin St Juste ($3.5m) Modest pay increase. $3m
Deane Leonard ($2m) Depth @CB. He looked good as a gunner. think he might not make the cut
Tony Jefferson ($1.5m) Old... but still effective. Cheap depth.
Josh Harris ($1.5m) Old... effective. Cheap.
Trevor Penning ($3m) Still young. Tackle/guard versatile. Depth @OT. backup RG ??
Zion Johnson ($7m) OTC has his value @nearly $11m... I wouldn't pay $11m. I would, and easily so
Jamaree Salyer ($1.5) Tackle/guard versatility. He might want more... or a chance @starting. We might want better @OG depth. $2.5m
Najee Harris ($2.5m) We certainly didn't get our ROI... maybe he feels bad. Coming off injury, $2.5m feels fair. don't think he returns neither
Kimani Vidal ($1m) He an ERFA. Cheap. Starting to develop nicely.
Trey Lance ($3m) He may want more... or a chance to start. think he signs somewhere else
Tucker Fisk ($1.5m) A RFA. Starting to develop.
Tyler Conklin ($1.5m) Filling depth... cheaply. think we go day three replacement again @TE
Keenan Allen ($5.5m) Basically, the same as this year. Will he retire? the very least we should offer him is $10m, and as he's worth twice that much

Outside Player I sign (counts against the calculation but gets cancelled out if Pipkins signs somewhere for $10m). think Pips has a good shot to stick here for next season

RG Ed Ingram ($12.5m) This is what OTC says Ingram will get. It's 2.5m more than you saved by cutting Mekhi.


All of those moves would give us 50 on the roster and $33m in cap space.
You have realistically 4 out 5 draft picks to compete for 3 spots. After you pay rookies, you have about $27m of space... about what you need.

Andre James, Tito, and Hart walk... you might get a 6th comp pick. again, thinkin' a decent chance we sign @least a coupla few of those guys
You would have a Super Bowl roster though... and very good depth.

great job per usual, and.... are we gonna move QJ ?? won't be shocked/overly surprised....

in FA, and besides OG, guessing we sign a QB and possibly an LB ??

[YAC]

KMack as in Kahlil Mack? He's getting g $18m this year

Good catch. I stand corrected. It's 18 mil 2025 cap hit for KMack. Most of my database is automated, but there are parts (like contract info) where I'm just copying and pasting. Perhaps I got a previous contract year in there. Thanks for keeping me humble and more accurate in my efforts!

Still...my overall point stands: Mack is making about the same as 9 other starters combined!

I double checked most of the other numbers and found no error, but hey...I've had a few cocktails.

Below is a visual that represents cap hits for our defense. I've highlighted with marker the price for veteran edge players. They ain't cheap—even old duds like Dupree get paid extra. Tuli gonna grab a big bag soon.

dmac_bolt was Spot.On. in his post earlier. Gotta draft Edge in the First Round if there's one Hortiz likes. Fishing in free-agency ponds for Edge rushers can financially sink your boat, and cripple team options.

LAC_Def_Price.jpg

[OG619FrightninLightnin]

Wait until the 5th for Edge, thats his sweet spot