The Los Angeles Chargers have cleared some salary cap space. What they do next and what that means for the near future is anyone’s guess.
ESPN reported Saturday that the Chargers restructured the contract of several stars, edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, to create $40.4 million of salary cap space.
The Chargers, who had been over the cap by $20.5 million, now have more than $19 million in cap space. The restructuring of Allen’s deal puts to rest rumors that the Chargers would cut him as a salary cap casualty.
At some point, quarterback Justin Herbert, who is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract, will land a massive new deal. Beyond that, the team has other needs it can address in free agency.
Chargers fans speculated on what the salary cap tweaking could mean.
The salary cap is convoluted and can be confusing, I get it. But if you've watched the Chargers restructure four of their biggest stars in 48 hours and your conclusion is that those players are assured of being Chargers next year, you're probably listening to the wrong people.
— The Lightning Round Podcast (@Lightning_Round) March 11, 2023
Is this something that’s going to bite the Chargers later like people are saying?
— Leonardo Velazquez (@LeoJVela) March 11, 2023
Unless they win it all in 23, it will bite them. Or at least result in a very different looking team in 24. BS and TT going all in again in 23. It’s the right move, stay aggressive and make moves to win now, but an early playoff exit could spell doom for the front office
— Rob Keenan (@GrlDad252) March 11, 2023
The Chargers are literally the defiintion of irresponsible and are in salary cap hell. They are one of the most dysfunctional franchises in football. The Saints have also been awful for a few years now so nothing has changed there either.
— jcool91 (@jello9751) March 11, 2023
Clearly, you do not pay attention because these last two seasons are very uncharacteristic of the Chargers. They are historically known for playing it way too safe and they’re finally putting some chips on the table.
— Bolts_Jake (@Boltz_Jake_) March 11, 2023
Feels like the Chargers are going all in one more time before Herbert starts getting big money. Problem is it also looks like they may cripple the team for a good portion of his new deal.
— Josh Hall (@KG_Cocidius) March 11, 2023
[ESPN]
