AFC West Notes: Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Chargers

After it became clear the Chargers and RB Melvin Gordon weren’t going to be able to solve their differences, Los Angeles gave RB Austin Ekeler an extension with the understanding he’d be stepping up as their starting back. Now that QB Philip Rivers is also moving on to another team, Ekeler will also be counted on as one of the leaders on offense despite just entering his fourth season. 

“I think that’s the biggest thing with Austin is just growing as a leader,” Chargers RB coach Mark Ridgley said via Chris Hayre of the team website. “And again, not only of our room, but as a leader of our team. I think that’s important. You lose guys like Philip [Rivers] and some older guys that have been around for a while – some voices that have resonated very loudly in our locker room. We need to replace that as well.”

• Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald has the Chargers ranked in the first tier in his cap health index for 2021, which measures a team’s estimated cap space, cap flexibility and pending free agents.

Chiefs

• While there could be some uncertainty in terms of non-quarterback players in line for extensions this summer due to possible revenue shortfalls, Albert Breer of SI mentions that this is unlikely to be the case for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. 
• Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald has the Chiefs ranked in the bottom tier in his cap health index for 2021, which measures a team’s estimated cap space, cap flexibility and pending free agents. 

Raiders

• Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald has the Raiders ranked in the bottom tier in his cap health index for 2021, which measures a team’s estimated cap space, cap flexibility and pending free agents.