Official 2025 Chargers Discussion | 2025 Roster Build | Training Camp

[Chargers8491]

I'm not interested in bringing back Bozeman. He's not a starter... and there are some nice developmental IOL in the mid/late rounds.
But bringing back a lot of the defensive free agents... I'd be interested in that. A lot of them fit very nicely in Jesse's defense.

If you sign them before the official start of free agency, then you don't have to bid against anyone and they don't count against the compensation formula. Find guys that want to be here for reasonable/fair deals. Depth is super important.

I'm not opposing to bringing back a lot of the defensive players and they likely will. I think with most of them they will still be available after the draft and might be able to get them a little cheaper. I also think while most played on a prove it contract and did prove it there are areas where they can still upgrade.

Regardless, they will likely comeback because the Chargers still of many areas that need improvement and many areas where they can improve the depth. They won't get there this year but next year they should be in a really good spot.

[Bolt4Knob]

I'm not interested in bringing back Bozeman. He's not a starter... and there are some nice developmental IOL in the mid/late rounds.
But bringing back a lot of the defensive free agents... I'd be interested in that. A lot of them fit very nicely in Jesse's defense.

If you sign them before the official start of free agency, then you don't have to bid against anyone and they don't count against the compensation formula. Find guys that want to be here for reasonable/fair deals. Depth is super important.

They don't have to be signed before free agency to not count against the comp pick formula -- they can be signed after as well. They are the Chargers own free agents.(A good site for counting comp picks is just google "over the cap compensatory picks" when free agency starts - it will show you) A lot of these players won't make enough money to even qualify to get a comp pick even if they sign with another team. The minimum salary is like $1.9m -- but the cut off last year was an AAV I think of around $3m or so.

I understand depth is important and I want guys that want to be with the team but I also think if you can wait until free agency and sign a better player -- that would be the way to go

Also, depth signings are usually post-draft and free agency as the GM needs to see what he has on his roster as maybe the draft brings a player at a position so you don't want to sign a guy for depth.

The process for signing players from what I have observed

1) internal free agents before free agency - sign the key ones. Chargers8491 laid it out perfectly: Ford, Molden, Mack, Dobbins and another DL

2) free agency first wave: find those right few players that are difference makers

3) free agency second wave: fill in with some depth at a couple other positions to not be left bare

4) the draft and UDFAs

5) post-draft - find vets needed for depth

[Boltjolt]

I'm not opposing to bringing back a lot of the defensive players and they likely will. I think with most of them they will still be available after the draft and might be able to get them a little cheaper. I also think while most played on a prove it contract and did prove it there are areas where they can still upgrade.

Regardless, they will likely comeback because the Chargers still of many areas that need improvement and many areas where they can improve the depth. They won't get there this year but next year they should be in a really good spot.

Maybe a few but not Molden, Tart possibly Ford. Tart i saw yesterday mentioned as a good available DT in FAcy. Fulton can get some looks from other teams, Asante is going to draw interest, and so will Khalil.

Good thing is, they all seem to like it here and and to play for Harbaugh but money for many will be the bottom line if they can get more of it somehwere else.
I know Neiman is a good STs player but so is Dye and he filled in nice at LB, though he is no Perryman. Not sure we will sign both but we may be able to get Dye back cheap, though a bit more than last year.

[Bolt4Knob]

And why can’t we spend $18M 2025 cap space on a pro bowl OG? Give him a competitive offer, fly him from the dirty salty crusty KC snow out to the sunny LA beach in mid March, work the Harbo Charm … it’s possible. No guarantees in life, gotta go grab what ya want in this world.

edit - can still draft the Big Mambo … btw we need THREE new IOL players, not one

All I know is this - looking at OTC - the Chargers have $63m of cap space - if they release Bosa and Pipkins, that number goes up by over $30m -- remove the rookies and in-season costs so that number drops to $68m in total

The Chargers have enough money to sign Trey Smith even if his cap number is $20m and even if they don't touch Slater or Herberts contract

And to get Trey Smith - if the Chargers need to cut Gus Edwards for a bit more cap space - do it

If that means signing a punter for the vet minimum -- well I don't want JK Scott back anyway - do it.

The Chargers in 2026 currently have the second most cap space - -so the Chargers do have the flexibility this off-season to get a couple of big fish, and playing with the numbers

Now does that mean I want them trying to win free agency with a bunch of signings that are backloaded for average players -- that will eventually come to roost (aka Thomas Davis) - No as I still think the way you build your team is through the draft and UDFAs. But for Trey Smith - sure; for Tee Higgins, damn right.

Now if you don't get the big fish - just sign a Zeitler or Scherff at RG for a year as a Bridge
If that means signing even Keenan Allen for a year as a bridge - so be it (though I think there will be better one year options at WR)
Its why I am okay bringing back Mack on a one year deal as the Edge market is subpar but if he wants a multi year deal - probably would have to see how the contract is written.

I will take my chances on not getting players like Fulton, Perryman, Dye, even Tartt back to get a true difference maker for the IOL or WR

[Chargers8491]

Maybe a few but not Molden, Tart possibly Ford. Tart i saw yesterday mentioned as a good available DT in FAcy. Fulton can get some looks from other teams, Asante is going to draw interest, and so will Khalil.

Good thing is, they all seem to like it here and and to play for Harbaugh but money for many will be the bottom line if they can get more of it somehwere else.
I know Neiman is a good STs player but so is Dye and he filled in nice at LB, though he is no Perryman. Not sure we will sign both but we may be able to get Dye back cheap, though a bit more than last year.

That's why on a previous post I stated I would re-sign Molden, Ford, and Khalil at the beginning of FAncy. I didn't mention Tart at the beginning but would be ok with them signing him at the beginning of FAncy. The rest I would wait till after FAncy but of course the Chargers might like some of the guys more than I do.

[Bolt4Knob]

That's why on a previous post I stated I would re-sign Molden, Ford, and Khalil at the beginning of FAncy. I didn't mention Tart at the beginning but would be ok with them signing him at the beginning of FAncy. The rest I would wait till after FAncy but of course the Chargers might like some of the guys more than I do.

I think one thing is - until Hortiz can see a list of players released for cap reasons as well as true free agents - really cannot determine, other than I think three names you mention - how to build the roster. I might add Dobbins too but again, maybe there are better options.

I have said before - none of the potential free agents need to be back if Hortiz can upgrade

[Chargers8491]

I think one thing is - until Hortiz can see a list of players released for cap reasons as well as true free agents - really cannot determine, other than I think three names you mention - how to build the roster. I might add Dobbins too but again, maybe there are better options.

I have said before - none of the potential free agents need to be back if Hortiz can upgrade

Exactly, we have an idea of who most of the FA's will be at the beginning of free agency, but we don't know who will be cut prior to March 1st.

The free agents I posted in the previous post are ones that I would target March 1st. Those are definite improvements and starters. That list could be added to but those were the ones of the top of my head.

[Chargers8491]

Jaycee Horn CB, Carolina is a player I would consider trading for. He would upgrade the CBs but would likely take a day 2 pick to get.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Jaycee Horn CB, Carolina is a player I would consider trading for. He would upgrade the CBs but would likely take a day 2 pick to get.

If memory serves me correctly, J.C. Horn was selected several picks after the Chargers took Rashawn Slater.

[Boltjolt]

If memory serves me correctly, J.C. Horn was selected several picks after the Chargers took Rashawn Slater.

He was drafted 8th overall.
He has been injured a lot. Hasn't been able to play a full season yet. I don't know what Carolinas call situation is but they can release him with no dead cap and save 12 mil....but he did play well last season in his 15 games.

[jamrock]

[Attack]

For the C position, Robert Hainsey on the Bucs is a FA who has good PFF ratings and wouldn't break the bank. Not sure how good of a scheme fit he would be, similar to Dalman in that respect. If a scheme fit or can learn to play G-Ro's scheme well, would be worth signing, and he's only about 27. For RG, could see drafting one in the 2nd or 3rd round, or possibly FA like Fries or Banks, as others have mentioned. Not seeing JH2 wanting to sign Trey Smith for $20-$25M/yr.

For the OL gurus, thoughts on Hainsey as a fit at C?