Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | Free Agency

[dmac_bolt]

Here are my updated assumptions... (The dates on which we release the players isn't important at the moment.)

Anyone have a problem with the list?




Assumptions.png

Guys at $1M or $1.2M really don’t impact team cap as they are replaced with players that will make $1M or $1.2M, right? I guess a $1.2M player can be replaced with a $1M player to save 200k, but thats very small ball

[Boltnut]

A roster build with an emphasis on IOL rebuild... using market values from OTC

Cuts: Becton, Bozeman, Matlock
Re-signs: Oweh ($18m), Hand ($4m), Josh Harris ($2m), Benjamin St.Juste ($2m), Kimani Vidal ($1m), Kendall Williamson ($1m)
Free agent signs: Connor McGovern ($15m), David Edwards ($18m), Sheldon Rankins ($7m) Reggie Gilliam ($2m).
Draft: Edge TJ Parker, RG Brian Parker, TE Michael Trigg, LB Aiden Fisher

$42m of cap space to sign rookies, PS, and In-season free agents.

QB: Herbert, Uiagalelei
RB: Hampton, Vidal, Amar Johnson
FB: Reggie Gilliam
WR: QJ, Ladd, Tre Harris, LSM, Dalevon Campbell, DD
TE: Gadsden, Michael Trigg, Dissly
OT: Slater, Alt, Savion Washington
OG: Edwards, Parker, Cleveland
OC: McGovern, Kaltenberger

Edge: Tuli, Oweh, TJ Parker, Kennard, Dupree
DT: Tart, Caldwell, Hand, Rankins, Eboigbe, Fuga
LB: Colson, Henly, Fisher, Dye, Wax
CB: Jackson, Hart, Still, St.Juste, Reed, Rogers
S: Derwin, Molden, Mickens, Amani Johnson

[Bolt4Knob]

A roster build with an emphasis on IOL rebuild... using market values from OTC

Cuts: Becton, Bozeman, Matlock
Re-signs: Oweh ($18m), Hand ($4m), Josh Harris ($2m), Benjamin St.Juste ($2m), Kimani Vidal ($1m), Kendall Williamson ($1m)
Free agent signs: Connor McGovern ($15m), David Edwards ($18m), Sheldon Rankins ($7m) Reggie Gilliam ($2m).
Draft: Edge TJ Parker, RG Brian Parker, TE Michael Trigg, LB Aiden Fisher

$42m of cap space to sign rookies, PS, and In-season free agents.

QB: Herbert, Uiagalelei
RB: Hampton, Vidal, Amar Johnson
FB: Reggie Gilliam
WR: QJ, Ladd, Tre Harris, LSM, Dalevon Campbell, DD
TE: Gadsden, Michael Trigg, Dissly
OT: Slater, Alt, Savion Washington
OG: Edwards, Parker, Cleveland
OC: McGovern, Kaltenberger

Edge: Tuli, Oweh, TJ Parker, Kennard, Dupree
DT: Tart, Caldwell, Hand, Rankins, Eboigbe, Fuga
LB: Colson, Henly, Fisher, Dye, Wax
CB: Jackson, Hart, Still, St.Juste, Reed, Rogers
S: Derwin, Molden, Mickens, Amani Johnson

the idea of keeping McGovern and Edwards teammates - thats fun stuff!
Rankins I also like to upgrade the IDL
My guess, you can still bring back Mack for 12m or so even if you have to void year it or take some of the above like Oweh, McGovern and Edwards and backload
I like the idea of a FB but my guess, Gilliam stays in Buffalo - seems like one of those matches that will move on --so why not Stevo Klotz!!

[Boltnut]

the idea of keeping McGovern and Edwards teammates - thats fun stuff!
Rankins I also like to upgrade the IDL
My guess, you can still bring back Mack for 12m or so even if you have to void year it or take some of the above like Oweh, McGovern and Edwards and backload
I like the idea of a FB but my guess, Gilliam stays in Buffalo - seems like one of those matches that will move on --so why not Stevo Klotz!!

I would be happy if they could do this. I really do like Mack... but I think he'll want more.
You could be right about Gilliam. Klotz would be a good move.

[Boltjolt]

Bolt Jolt telling the world he didn't watch the Niners play this past season - much better return player than Derius Davis. Well in 2025. So the goal would be finding a player in the return game who is better plus the opportunity to give you something more in the passing game that Davis doesn't give you

He was a 2nd round pick, he had 5 receptions in SF this past season. 48 in his 4 years with Mahomes and Purdy, who had injured WRs on their team last season.
You like him as a return man? He is OK, but nothing spectacular and didnt stand out. Davis KO return average is just 1 yards less career wise, and he at least has a TD punt return.....but yes in 2025 he was better than Davis who was injured and missed 6 or 7 games.

Moore would be cheap but he isnt much as a WR and i hope we can have a returner we can also use at WR instead of wasting a roster spot. Davis has not been that guy much and Moore is barely more useful there. Thats all im saying. But where he was drafted he has been a bust.....which isnt our problem, im just pointing that out.

He has good measurables, has good speed and big hands but for some reason, hasnt been able to crack the lineup as a WR. Must be his route running or awareness...whatever it is.

Talking return guys who can play some reciever, Durvaney would be a better get and just as cheap....if we cant land Rasheed.

[Boltnut]

I'm not really feeling DT in the 1st round. I would be fine with Kayden McDonald... but would rather get an edge rusher.
So far, Hortiz has gotten his DT's in the 3rd (Caldwell) and 4th (Eboigbe).
He has had good luck getting good DT's in free agency... Ford, Tart, and Hand. He's finding good value with FA DT's.

Without DT as a draft need, it opens up the draft to get an edge rusher, IOL, TE, and LB.

[Boltjolt]

I have zero objection to Cleveland invited to camp as a league min sign to compete for a roster spot. If Penning is another league min contract for a shot at a roster spot, come on down.

but if you guys are really not seeing posts where people propose the 2026 LAC OL improvement has Penning or Cleveland as our 2026 starting OG … I can’t help. I’ve seen more than I’d bother to go back to count. I woke up again today still not getting it.

Of course, invite them....dont mean they stick. Ive not noticed some here wanting them to start. Whoever said that clearly doesnt want to help Herbert or our OL play.

[YAC]

I don't understand the fascination of paying relatively big bucks for part time players like Bush, who will be probably be getting paid something like $14-15 mil per year. Granted, he will play a lot for a part time player, but there are still going to be a lot of downs where we play dime to get our best DB on the field. That is unless the plan is to take Henley off the field and play Bush instead, in which case, it means Henley is probably going to leave.

It's just a lot of money for a player at a position that doesn't make that many impact plays. Some, sure. That many more than just some guy? A bit more. Worth the $10 mil per season more that we would be paying? I don't think the math adds up.

The point is that while it is more gratifying to have a 2nd ILB to make all the additional bone crunching tackles in the run game, the additional cost is probably much better spent on a cheap ILB and then either spending more on the impact positions (OL, edge, IDL, CB, S). The plays that really win games most are sacks, interceptions and fumbles. Very, very few ILB add much in those areas. Every ILB has some potential to make game changing plays, but it if you look at the stats between the guys like Henley and Bush, and "other" guys (cheaper guys), you simply don't get many more of those big plays, compared to the amount you pay. Money that would be better spent trying to win games instead of trying to feel good.

There is some value to adding him because he has turned into a better coverage player this season.

-Don't want to pay big for part time players? On defense it's rare to find players who are full-time these days. DTs rotate. Edges rotate. Minter had some of our DBs rotate. And that's before we even get into all the situational sub packages.

-Bush is elite versus run and pass, so you don't have to take him off the field.

-As for turnovers and splash plays Bush had 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and a recovered fumble. Two sacks. Seven tackles for loss. Sustainable? Fair question! (I see it was a unique year for him)

-A big differentiator--where the gap can be massive between linebackers is average depth of tackle.

-I don't want to fixate on Bush too much specifically. Haven't studied him that much. I just want to invest in better linebacker play.

It's not clear to me if you want Clowney as a replacement for Mack or in addition to him?

Mack wasn't in that roster build. I don't see us bringing back both Mack and Oweh.

[YAC]

Guys at $1M or $1.2M really don’t impact team cap

True.

Not all of my listed assumptions have to do with cap space.

[beachcomber]

having Denzel and not having Denzel has oft been the difference of a YPC less than not, w/him in or out of the lineup.... first and second downs matter.

a run stopping MLB is just like a run stopping NT.... how is it that first and second downs don't matter ??

Henley is a coverage LB, and a good one, and.... if he's on the field so much, that prolly means we are not doing a good job of shutting down the run.... an imperative to any SB run.

we have a great opportunity to draft Denzel's successor in this draft, and also to upgrade the vacancy left by Naquan Jones.

personally am not in love w/the ED group as some others here, and much prefer the IDL and LBs available.

again personally, the suspicion is that Mack comes back for one last go 'round, and that we can sign someone cheaper than Odafe's $20m in FA ??

if we hedge/upgrade anyone on the edge, would be Kennard by my take/observation....

[Boltjolt]

-Don't want to pay big for part time players? On defense it's rare to find players who are full-time these days. DTs rotate. Edges rotate. Minter had some of our DBs rotate. And that's before we even get into all the situational sub packages.

-Bush is elite versus run and pass, so you don't have to take him off the field.

-As for turnovers and splash plays Bush had 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and a recovered fumble. Two sacks. Seven tackles for loss. Sustainable? Fair question! (I see it was a unique year for him)

-A big differentiator--where the gap can be massive between linebackers is average depth of tackle.

-I don't want to fixate on Bush too much specifically. Haven't studied him that much. I just want to invest in better linebacker play.



Mack wasn't in that roster build. I don't see us bringing back both Mack and Oweh.

Bush isnt a monster LB. Last season was his 7th and by far had his best season since his rookie year so he hasnt been consistant. He had 50 less tackles in 2024. If im paying a LB over 8 mil im giving it to Quay Walker who has been very consistant. Walker is also 2 years younger.

[beachcomber]

Shaheed at 14m>>>> Davis at 1m + Allen $5 - because of what he gives both in the passing and return game.

I think GAC guys mentioned Nailor from Minnesota, Sky Moore and Durvernay --
-- the ability of Moore in the return game is intriguing

am totally lost as to the infatuation of Shaheed ahead of Keenan ??

he had 15 receptions last season, and will get you fortysomething balls in a good year, and.... we already know how many yards & receptions you're leaving in the 2026 dumpster by dropping Keenan.

simply absurd and fool's play.... Keenan is exponentially more productive than the other names mentioned/bandied about here.

the only thing separating Keenan from another banner season is people's conjecture here.... hopefully Joe does not succumb to the KA group think around here.