In 2019, the Los Angeles Chargers used a first-round pick on Jerry Tillery, a defensive lineman out of Notre Dame. Now, not even four full seasons later, the Chargers and Tillery are going their separate ways.
The Chargers announced that they waived Tillery on Thursday.
we've waived Jerry Tillery.
→ https://t.co/kCFlUYK5fN pic.twitter.com/4R7Y8bRK7W
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 11, 2022
General Manager Tom Telesco also offered a statement.
“Jerry has been a valued member of our organization since arriving in 2019, and I want to thank him for all his contributions to the Chargers,” Telesco said in a statement on the team’s website. “This was not an easy decision but, after careful consideration, it was a necessary one that is in the best interest of both team and player. We wish Jerry all the best moving forward in his career.”
The Chargers didn’t pick up Tillery’s fifth-year option. So, it was likely that 2022 was going to be his final year in Los Angeles. With that, the decision to waive him wasn’t met with a lot of surprise. But while Tillery’s career hasn’t gone smoothly, several in the NFL world took to Twitter to float potential landing spots.
He’s not great, but if you get him in a scheme where he only has to worry about one gap then maybe there’s something there? https://t.co/rTZ0YV7BEA
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) November 11, 2022
Giants are thin on the DL and like their Notre Dame guys. Probably need to do some homework there, given his exit with Chargers, but in a rotation, Tillery might have some value. https://t.co/M2XK51ygka
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) November 11, 2022
he's also bad, but the Browns should probably take a look… because they are worse. https://t.co/IPlgt2sLUF
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) November 11, 2022
Pass rushing 3T/4i in a rotational role this year (Basically what they wanted Brockers to be) wore out his welcome in LAC
With about a million left on his contract (none guaranteed) I’d be interested if I were Detroit
I’d also be on the phone with LAC GM to see what happened. https://t.co/axVQyHmEow
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) November 11, 2022
In four NFL seasons, Tillery has recorded 10.5 sacks, setting a career-high with 4.5 in 2021. He also notched a career-high in stuffs in 2021, with 4.5. The 2022 season, though, has not gone as well. Tillery has only one sack, no stuffs and has only been in on eight tackles.
One area where Tillery has been strong is his durability. He’s played in all but three of Los Angeles’ games since the beginning of his rookie season. Depth is important everywhere and particularly on the defensive line, given the high number of injuries that are sustained in the trenches.
So, while Tillery’s career has not gone well, he will likely get another chance.
[Chargers.com, Adam Schefter on Twitter]
