Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | Free Agency

[Bolt4Knob]

Boltnut - good questions --

Tuli extension this summer -- if he agrees-- I think you can add $6m (30m signing bonus/5) - next year of course the cap hit will be like $20m
I think post draft - Jennings might work
Edge 3 - again post draft of if you feel good about the draft - -no need
OL depth - still need a back up OC -- so maybe post draft
Depending on the draft - CB unless they really like Rogers &/or Reed

or eff it - just go get AJ Brown

[YAC]

How do you spend the extra $20+m...?

Assuming $25 mil...

By my assessment the team has 10-11 roster slots that ideally should be filled before we go to battle. With just five draft picks that means 5 or 6 must be filled w/FAs/UDFA/inner promotion.

1. I extend Tuli, bumping his 2026 6.2 cap hit to 10.2m. Cost: $4m.
2. Sign two free agent corners: Cost: $7m
3. Sign a good backup edge: Cost $5m
4. Sign a budget backup DT: Cost $3m
5. Sign at least one vet IOL: Cost $7m

I believe we ultimately release Bud Dupree w/2.5 mil savings, after recent bonus. LAC viewed the bonus as insurance money, but we'll get an edge in the draft, IMO.

[Xenos]

$47m in remaining cap space.
$45m after cap includes 53.
Chargers reserved $10m for in season free agent signings last year... $35m left.
Signing draft class... approximately $5m... $30m left.
Signing a practice squad... approximately $8m... approximately $22m left.

How do you spend the extra $20+m...?

Extend Tuli...?
Sign one big-money WR...?
Sign several existing free agents @PON...?

Yeah. Extend Tuli and front load the cap hit at this point. Maybe Daiyan as well? I guess if they do decide to keep QJ, they can extend him for much less than the 5th year option AAV. That’s all I can think of from the 2023 draft.

[Xenos]

Assuming $25 mil...

By my assessment the team has 10-11 roster slots that ideally should be filled before we go to battle. With just five draft picks that means 5 or 6 must be filled w/FAs/UDFA/inner promotion.

1. I extend Tuli, bumping his 2026 6.2 cap hit to 10.2m. Cost: $4m.
2. Sign two free agent corners: Cost: $7m
3. Sign a good backup edge: Cost $5m
4. Sign a budget backup DT: Cost $3m
5. Sign at least one vet IOL: Cost $7m

I believe we ultimately release Bud Dupree w/2.5 mil savings, after recent bonus. LAC viewed the bonus as insurance money, but we'll get an edge in the draft, IMO.

Speaking of Edge, I would have loved to pick up Bradley Chubb but not for the price the Bills paid. Maybe Joey comes back after the draft?

[Whydachargers?]

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2026/03/chargers-had-interest-in-elgton-jenkins-latest-on-guard-plans

[Eurobolt]

https://www.profootballrumors.com/20...on-guard-plans

So we are cheap not stupid?

[YAC]

Speaking of Edge, I would have loved to pick up Bradley Chubb but not for the price the Bills paid. Maybe Joey comes back after the draft?

Clowney is the FA I currently like for backup Edge. Plays run and pass well. Stays healthy, generally.

[Whydachargers?]

So we are cheap not stupid?

Depends on how you look at it I think.

[Bolt4Knob]

Clowney - unless he signs for the vet minimum can only be signed after the comp pick window closes. And maybe they have the deal in place for that. Same with Jennings.

So any player that would hurt the comp pickl - you have to value the player signed against another player + 4th round pick

[YAC]

Clowney - unless he signs for the vet minimum can only be signed after the comp pick window closes. And maybe they have the deal in place for that.

Yup. Clowney didn't sign last year until September. Seems he knows he can wait.

[Bolt4Knob]

To the point about Clowney - just doesn't apply to him, applies to maybe OL, CB, WR, other positions-- the draft is next up. You don't want to sign too many players and give them a lot of upfront money and the draft comes along and the best player is Edge or whatever

So at this point, if Hortiz is done - but has a bunch of players on stand by for post draft, that seems smart. As maybe post draft you don't need Rasul Douglas as you drafted CB but do need an extra OG or whatever That said, even if they draft Edge, I still would hope they upgrade depth wise from Dupree - he wasn't good

[CanadianBoltFan]

So we are cheap not stupid?

The only way you lose him to the Cleveland Browns