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

[Topcat]

I know this much, at this point -- if you can get Becton for say 3/36... I think I might rather take a chance on him over Scherff. I think Becton can improve whereas Scherff is a finished product

And they can write the contract that might limit the cap hit if he is a Gaither. They can have the cap space to frontload the deal - especially if Slater is done and they release Pipkins or reduce his salary

And that F- minus above will move to a B

The best way for the Bolts to protect themselves from Becton if he pulls a Lazy Gaither, is to have an out on his deal after one year...in fact, I'd have an out after the second year also...

[Chargers8491]

I know this much, at this point -- if you can get Becton for say 3/36... I think I might rather take a chance on him over Scherff. I think Becton can improve whereas Scherff is a finished product

And they can write the contract that might limit the cap hit if he is a Gaither. They can have the cap space to frontload the deal - especially if Slater is done and they release Pipkins or reduce his salary

And that F- minus above will move to a B

The main point regardless of who they sign they aren't going to sign any big contracts until Slater is done, IMHO.

[Chargers8491]

Regarding the Zion to center move. I doubt very seriously that Hortiz woke up one morning and said you know what maybe we can move Zion to center. I bet lots of money that Zion was taking snaps at center last year during practices and they liked what they saw but didn't want to make any major changes in the middle of the season.

[electricgold]

SI just released an article with the following headline:

Chargers predicted to fortify offensive line by signing projected $40 million breakout star.

[Bolt4Knob]

The best way for the Bolts to protect themselves from Becton if he pulls a Lazy Gaither, is to have an out on his deal after one year...in fact, I'd have an out after the second year also...

Thats kind of my point... write it in such a way that Becton gets paid for year 1... but if released, wouldn't have a huge dead cap hit after year 1

Scherff would be a fine solution but if you can get Becton and add to Slater and Alt, now you really have a core group Oline for 3-4 years. Which was my number 1 goal this free agency

[Jack Burton]

SI just released an article with the following headling:

Chargers predicted to fortify offensive line by signing projected $40 million breakout star.

……fingers crossed?!?

[Bolt4Knob]

SI just released an article with the following headling:

Chargers predicted to fortify offensive line by signing projected $40 million breakout star.

Link doesn't work - is that Becton?

[Bolt4Knob]

The main point regardless of who they sign they aren't going to sign any big contracts until Slater is done, IMHO.

But the thing is, they have the cap space - they can do both. Slater doesn't need to be signed to create cap space. They have $30m of cap space, per Popper. If they release Pipkins that number becomes $37m

[JOJAX85]

The best way for the Bolts to protect themselves from Becton if he pulls a Lazy Gaither, is to have an out on his deal after one year...in fact, I'd have an out after the second year also...

I think the Gaither worry is real. That dude was damn near out of the league but got another shot with a really good Eagles line. I'm betting Johnson and Mailata kept his ass in line. There may be rumblings of his work ethic if he doesn't have a vet structure. Slater and Alt are both young themselves so I'm guessing their words wouldn't carry much weight. 100% he wasn't coping and attitude with Johnson and Mailata. Those are some scary dudes.

This is all speculation on my part, obviously, but something isn't feeding the bulldog as they say with that situation.

[el_jefe999]

But the thing is, they have the cap space - they can do both. Slater doesn't need to be signed to create cap space. They have $30m of cap space, per Popper. If they release Pipkins that number becomes $37m

They not only can; they should. Slater is going to make a ton of money but if they pay alot of it in signing bonus pro-rated over the contract it won't be such a cap hit that they will be hamstrung to make other moves.

[Chargers8491]

But the thing is, they have the cap space - they can do both. Slater doesn't need to be signed to create cap space. They have $30m of cap space, per Popper. If they release Pipkins that number becomes $37m

They do have the cap space now, but I think they want to get Slater done then see where they stand for other signings. I think they want to make sure they have the contract structure in place to know exactly how much Slater is going to cost against the cap this year. His signing may actually create some cap room this year which would Hortiz to maybe pay a little more for an OF or whatever/whoever they decide to sign. They are not going to know though until Slater is signed.

[Jack Burton]

Link doesn't work - is that Becton?

Yes