2024 NFL Offseason Primer: Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers

Projected Cap Space: -$35.1 million

Draft Picks: 8

• 1st (No. 5)
• 2nd (No. 37)
• 3rd (No. 69)
• 4th (No. 106)
• 5th (No. 139)
• 6th (No. 183)
• 7th (No. 223)
• 7th (No. 256, comp)

Notable Free Agents: 

• RB Austin Ekeler
• CB Michael Davis
• LB Kenneth Murray
• TE Gerald Everett
• DT Austin Johnson
• S Alohi Gilman
• DT Nick Williams
• WR Jalen Guyton
• S Dean Marlowe
• OLB Justin Hollins

Top Three Needs

1 – Offensive Line

There’s a clear vision new Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh is bringing with him to Los Angeles. You can see it by looking at his past teams. And while he’s learned a few new tricks since he was with the 49ers and won’t have the same recruiting advantage he had at Michigan, Harbaugh’s teams always have a similar look and philosophy. He believes in old-school, smashmouth football. The highest the 49ers ever ranked in pass attempts under Harbaugh was 29th. Judging by the fact Harbaugh reunited with former OC Greg Roman, who most recently was calling one of the league’s run-heaviest units in Baltimore, this is still the type of style he wants to run. 

In order to do that, it’s paramount for the Chargers to have an outstanding offensive line. They’re off to a solid start on the left side with LT Rashawn Slater and LG Zion Johnson, although he took a concerning step back in his second season. Starting C Corey Linsley is medically retiring, so that’s one hole. On the right side, the duo of G Jamaree Salyer and RT Trey Pipkins aren’t liabilities but they’re also not dominant, which is what the Chargers need.

Salyer could be a better fit in the new system and is still someone who could develop into a solid starter. Pipkins’ contract locks him onto the roster in 2024. The Chargers don’t have a ton of resources to make massive changes this offseason, so the biggest priority is getting a new starting center. But I’d expect the Chargers to make this position a major focus, especially in the draft which is the best path to find affordable, quality linemen. 

2 – Defensive Line

Harbaugh’s a big believer in being strong on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. He has a lot of work to do on defense. Both starting interior defenders, Johnson and Williams, are on expiring contracts. Veteran DL Morgan Fox played well in a sub-package role last year but the Chargers could save $3.5 million by cutting him, and they’re hard up for space. 

Los Angeles could be starting over virtually from scratch here. It’s also worth noting there’s a lot of uncertainty at the edge rusher spot. Both OLBs Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa have massive cap hits. Mack was terrific with 17 sacks in 2024, turning back the clock a few years. But he’s 33 and his deal represents significant potential savings. Bosa battled injuries again and the Chargers have to decide if the flashes on the field when he was healthy are worth chasing. 

Fortunately 2023 second-round OLB Tuli Tuipolotu looks like a find, so that should help any potential reload for the Chargers on the edge. There’s still a ton of work to do. 

3 – Wide Receiver

Linebacker was a consideration here, as the roster is set up to be paper thin here with Murray set for free agency and veteran Eric Kendricks a possible cap casualty. However, most teams are investing less and less in the position, particularly with fewer prospects who are clean evaluations coming out of the college game each year. Even if Harbaugh wanted to find his own sequel to Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman, players like that just aren’t available as much. 

Los Angeles needs to consider the future of their receiver room. With Mike Williams rehabbing a torn ACL and $20 million in cap savings available if he’s cut, he’s not expected back. Keenan Allen was great again in 2023 but he’s turning 32 in April and can’t keep up this pace forever. Quentin Johnston had one of the worst rookie years for a first-round receiver in a while. 

Add in the fact that the three best non-quarterbacks on the board could all be receivers, and the Chargers are in a superb position to land a future No. 1 for the next decade. Even an offense that plans to be as run-heavy as the Chargers probably do needs weapons in the passing game. 

One Big Question

Is Harbaugh the missing ingredient?

Harbaugh has been sniffing around the NFL for a few years now. After winning the national title at Michigan, the league was finally ready for him. The veteran coach’s biggest selling point is his track record of success. At a long list of stops, in various environments, Harbaugh has won — a lot. The trophy at Michigan just put an exclamation point on that, and helped him punch his ticket to the league as one of the most in-demand candidates. 

For a team like the Chargers, the appeal is obvious. Los Angeles has built a reputation as a perpetual tease, one that suckers in national media types every year with a roster that looks stacked on paper, but wilts when the games start — sometimes in spectacular form. “Chargering” has become a verb meaning to lose in heartbreaking fashion, and much to former HC Brandon Staley‘s chagrin it was a part of the narrative around his team in particular. 

Bringing in a proven winner like Harbaugh is sure to change that, right? Well there are some reasons to be skeptical. The NFL was a lot different the last time Harbaugh was successful, and the competition in the AFC is fierce. Even if Harbaugh was one of the top candidates, history says the public and the league are terrible at predicting which coaches will have success. 

And truthfully, for as strong as Harbaugh’s history of winning is, the history of “Chargering” is equally strong…