Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | Free Agency

[Bolt4Knob]

i think they will sign more than they release given 90M cap and only 6 picks. If Hortiz lets Oweh and Zion walk, thats two more positions to fill. If draft is the plan, thats two starts to lock the entire draft on noting but Edge and IOL which can become a bad plan if other teams take our preferred player before us every round.

This forum comes to the conclusion its best to trade down every year, its an annual tradition here. I don’t disagree this year but its odd we think there are no players worth 22 for us but another team is gonna be eager to trade up into our spot - thats a bit oxymoronic, but I guess not impossible.

First, I already think of Oweh, Zion and even Mack as positions to fill. They are not signed today. So two Edge positions and LG always needed to be signed once the season ended. Bozeman and Becton, probably released, thats five positions. Whether Oweh Zion and Mack are back and technically only two external free agents are signed, Hortiz signed five players. Puh-tay-to, Puh-taw-to; six of one, half dozen of the other - its the same to me. He has players to sign and today, the Chargers have holes to fill at LG, Edge and Edge.

So with that -and how Zion has played for four years and not just being hyper-focused on weeks 12-18 this past season, if he can be replaced for a better player, Hortiz do it. Screw continuity - its a new scheme - sign the better LG. Zion wasn't THAT good that he has to be brought back.

Oweh -- he came into a good situation - not just Minter, but having Mack and Tuli - a good coaching staff and scouting team would look at his tape before and after and value him. I think Oweh worked because of the players around him. So if Oweh isn't back, I think Hortiz can find a third Edge, pre-draft, that can work with Tuli and Mack.

As for trading down, that is a fair point to make but it almost happened last year with the Eagles. You never know what another team will see in a player to move up. Hell, Telesco and Lynn saw a lot in Kenneth Murray.

[Bolt4Knob]

From ESPN Graziano and Fowler - what they are hearing article:2026 NFL combine buzz: Intel on free agency, trades, QBs - ESPN

Note about the Chargers:

• The Chargers have a pair of free agent edge rushers in Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack. They'd like to have them back, but they recognize that there's good depth in free agency and the draft this offseason at edge rusher. They feel they'd be in good position to replace them if they left. The Chargers are looking for interior offensive line help and are a threat to sign Linderbaum (Chargers GM Joe Hortiz was in Baltimore when the Ravens drafted him). They have yet to decide on the fifth-year option for 2023 first-round wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

Interesting about Mack - already have read Popper that Oweh might be getting more than Pop expected - but is there a desperate team (the Lions, Bears) who throw a multi year deal at Khalil. Though Popper thinks he will be back. But all it takes is one team. Chargers might be losing Zion, Oweh AND Mack

As for Linderbaum - I would prioritize him over Zion any day of the week

Should be an interesting next 8 days -- news should start leaking towards the end of the week and next week end

[Boltinloudguy]

From ESPN Graziano and Fowler - what they are hearing article:2026 NFL combine buzz: Intel on free agency, trades, QBs - ESPN

Note about the Chargers:

• The Chargers have a pair of free agent edge rushers in Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack. They'd like to have them back, but they recognize that there's good depth in free agency and the draft this offseason at edge rusher. They feel they'd be in good position to replace them if they left. The Chargers are looking for interior offensive line help and are a threat to sign Linderbaum (Chargers GM Joe Hortiz was in Baltimore when the Ravens drafted him). They have yet to decide on the fifth-year option for 2023 first-round wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

Interesting about Mack - already have read Popper that Oweh might be getting more than Pop expected - but is there a desperate team (the Lions, Bears) who throw a multi year deal at Khalil. Though Popper thinks he will be back. But all it takes is one team. Chargers might be losing Zion, Oweh AND Mack

As for Linderbaum - I would prioritize him over Zion any day of the week

Should be an interesting next 8 days -- news should start leaking towards the end of the week and next week end

After reading the Pop article, I think Zion and Oweh are gone. There are going to be teams that throw $18-$20 mil at Zion and $22-$25 mil at Oweh and I don’t think Hortiz is going to pay that. I do think Zion fits McD’s scheme really well though.

I do however think Mack is back. He loves LA and Harbaugh. His family is here so why pack up and leave for 1 year when one of the best chances to win in right where your at.

[Bolt4Knob]

After reading the Pop article, I think Zion and Oweh are gone. There are going to be teams that throw $18-$20 mil at Zion and $22-$25 mil at Oweh and I don’t think Hortiz is going to pay that. I do think Zion fits McD’s scheme really well though.

I do however think Mack is back. He loves LA and Harbaugh. His family is here so why pack up and leave for 1 year when one of the best chances to win in right where your at.

Agree with you about Mack - just interesting Graz and Fowler would add his name. But maybe there is a desperate team out there willing to give him the Von Miller. I mention the Lions - its go time for them after last year. Tampa and Chicago too. Who would give him the $35-40m guaranteed?

As for Oweh and Zion - if they get the higher end of the numbers you suggest, just take the comp pick and move on. Well Linderbaum would cancel out one of them

[Riverwalk]

Sadiq ran a 4.4 as a 240 lb TE!

I sure hope we can solve the OL in FA too we can draft Sadiq at 22..... though he might get drafted much higher like Loveland did....

Long gone before 22.

[Topcat]

He got that 6th back with the tag he put on Dobbins, we have two 6th round picks, we don't have a 5th rounder as that one went for Oweh and I think we can all agree that was a fantastic trade, losing a 7th for Deculus and a 6th for Penning is all about what happened to Slater and Alt, they had to try something because shit hit the fan big time...

worst case scenario with the missing 5th is that Oweh signs elsewhere and we get a high comp in 2027, probably a 4rth rounder but perhaps even a 3rd rounder depending on how the market shakes up, best case scenario we re-sign the guy like what happened with Molden, then we get a starting caliber player for a 5th round pick...

Forgot about that 7th for Deck...ouch...okay, so it's "just" a 7th, but still...

[Boltinloudguy]

Agree with you about Mack - just interesting Graz and Fowler would add his name. But maybe there is a desperate team out there willing to give him the Von Miller. I mention the Lions - its go time for them after last year. Tampa and Chicago too. Who would give him the $35-40m guaranteed?

As for Oweh and Zion - if they get the higher end of the numbers you suggest, just take the comp pick and move on. Well Linderbaum would cancel out one of them

While Linderbaum would cancel out a comp pick, Biadasz would not if he’s healthy. I think Hortiz is going to take a good look at Biadasz. Biadasz fills a huge hole while they can draft their next C in the next 2 years. I like Logan Jones in the 4th round to come in, develop and add some strength. Then take over in a couple years at C.

I do have a hard time seeing a team giving Mack a multi year deal. I also have a hard time seeing Mack wanting to leave LA on a multi year deal when he is clearly playing on a year to year basis at this point in his career.

[dmac_bolt]

First, I already think of Oweh, Zion and even Mack as positions to fill. They are not signed today. So two Edge positions and LG always needed to be signed once the season ended. Bozeman and Becton, probably released, thats five positions. Whether Oweh Zion and Mack are back and technically only two external free agents are signed, Hortiz signed five players. Puh-tay-to, Puh-taw-to; six of one, half dozen of the other - its the same to me. He has players to sign and today, the Chargers have holes to fill at LG, Edge and Edge.

So with that -and how Zion has played for four years and not just being hyper-focused on weeks 12-18 this past season, if he can be replaced for a better player, Hortiz do it. Screw continuity - its a new scheme - sign the better LG. Zion wasn't THAT good that he has to be brought back.

Oweh -- he came into a good situation - not just Minter, but having Mack and Tuli - a good coaching staff and scouting team would look at his tape before and after and value him. I think Oweh worked because of the players around him. So if Oweh isn't back, I think Hortiz can find a third Edge, pre-draft, that can work with Tuli and Mack.

As for trading down, that is a fair point to make but it almost happened last year with the Eagles. You never know what another team will see in a player to move up. Hell, Telesco and Lynn saw a lot in Kenneth Murray.

I’m not a spokesperson for the Sign Zion club either. I don’t think he’s Boze-level bad but if we are always looking to get better, then look to get better. I saw all 4 seasons the same as you - meh.

[Riverwalk]

…... Since the Popper article - I have flipped on Oweh, Zion ,or big $$ OG and Linderbaum

I think this could be a better balanced deeper team

It took the Popper article, but good to see you’re coming around to my original assessment which was we have many needs and need DEPTH so blowing the whole wad on Linderbaum no matter what it costs is not prudent.

The expense of an All Pro at every position on the OL is just not feasible if you want a complete team and depth.

This isn’t the Dan Fouts era. There was no salary cap when Dan played from 1973-1987. Salary cap started in 1994.

I’ll take two quality guys versus one prohibitively expensive one all day long. Injuries happen.

Instead of the 3 best IOL available….I’d rather use the same amount of money for 6 quality IOL.

Hey…this might not work because of who is available but it’s a philosophical approach which frames your strategy.

Look what Hortiz did FA wise the last 2 years with the defensive line. There were no superstar, break the bank, signings yet we had quality and depth to rank top 5.

Like I said…I’d love Linderbaum as much as anybody but not at the expense of depth and other positions in dire need.

[Bolt4Knob]

It took the Popper article, but good to see you’re coming around to my original assessment which was we have many needs and need DEPTH so blowing the whole wad on Linderbaum no matter what it costs is not prudent.

The expense of an All Pro at every position on the OL is just not feasible if you want a complete team and depth.

This isn’t the Dan Fouts era. There was no salary cap when Dan played from 1973-1987. Salary cap started in 1994.

I’ll take two quality guys versus one prohibitively expensive one all day long. Injuries happen.

Instead of the 3 best IOL available….I’d rather use the same amount of money for 6 quality IOL.

Hey…this might not work because of who is available but it’s a philosophical approach which frames your strategy.

Look what Hortiz did FA wise the last 2 years with the defensive line. There were no superstar, break the bank, signings yet we had quality and depth to rank top 5.

Like I said…I’d love Linderbaum as much as anybody but not at the expense of depth and other positions in dire need.

The thing with a guy like Oweh -- I think he came to the team, had the DC in Minter, good players like Tuli and Mack around him, so that kind of freed him up. It wasn't like he is Madd Maxx out there, creating havoc no matter the teammates. Not even sure Oweh was close to Mack when he was traded from Raiders to Bears. And when Popper wrote he could go higher than 88/4, had to do a double take and think - okay if you still have Tuli, Mack comes back at a reasonable deal, could they find a third Edge to plug in there. My thought was - sure, but maybe it looks different. Maybe its JF-Myers (or a good pass rushing IDL) and Kwitty Paye instead of Oweh and Dashawn Hand. - Similar $$ spent on an AAV basis, just different positions getting paid

Zion - same thing. He wasn't that good that he has to come back.

By the way, I would feel better about giving Linderbaum 22-23 over Zion 18-20 or Oweh 23-25

[Jack Burton]

The thing with a guy like Oweh -- I think he came to the team, had the DC in Minter, good players like Tuli and Mack around him, so that kind of freed him up. It wasn't like he is Madd Maxx out there, creating havoc no matter the teammates. Not even sure Oweh was close to Mack when he was traded from Raiders to Bears. And when Popper wrote he could go higher than 88/4, had to do a double take and think - okay if you still have Tuli, Mack comes back at a reasonable deal, could they find a third Edge to plug in there. My thought was - sure, but maybe it looks different. Maybe its JF-Myers (or a good pass rushing IDL) and Kwitty Paye instead of Oweh and Dashawn Hand. - Similar $$ spent on an AAV basis, just different positions getting paid

Zion - same thing. He wasn't that good that he has to come back.

By the way, I would feel better about giving Linderbaum 22-23 over Zion 18-20 or Oweh 23-25

Agreed with the highlighted. I still think they can do a Linderbaum or McGovern and Oweh..

[Bolt4Knob]

While Linderbaum would cancel out a comp pick, Biadasz would not if he’s healthy. I think Hortiz is going to take a good look at Biadasz. Biadasz fills a huge hole while they can draft their next C in the next 2 years. I like Logan Jones in the 4th round to come in, develop and add some strength. Then take over in a couple years at C.

I do have a hard time seeing a team giving Mack a multi year deal. I also have a hard time seeing Mack wanting to leave LA on a multi year deal when he is clearly playing on a year to year basis at this point in his career.

The key with Biadasz will be film study and health. Why did the Commandos release a player that PFF ranked 11th

Two other players that would help with the comp pick are Ben Powers and Elgton Jenkins. Again, tape and health willing. Other players might be released for cap reasons - - MN starting cutting guys today

I think you are right about Mack but all it takes is one desperate team to. That said, if betting, he will be a Charger player.