NEWSLETTER
The Chargers have been focused on the offseason since blowing a 27-0 lead to the Jaguars in the playoffs. They went 10-7 in the regular season before melting down in the NFL Playoffs. Now, they are focused on free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft. Here’s what you need to know about Chargers free agency for 2023.
Los Angeles Chargers 2023 NFL Free Agents
The buzz for the 2023 offseason will surround key players such as Drue Tranquill and Kyle Van Noy. Tranquill, a fourth-round pick in 2019, racked up 146 tackles and 5 sacks during the 2022 regular season. Van Noy had 5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Defensive lineman Morgan Fox was second on the team with 6.5 sacks as he started 12 games for the Chargers. If the team decides to move on from Khalil Mack, it will be figuring out how to replace its top 4 sack leaders from a year ago.
On offense, right tackle Trey Pipkins is a free agent. Wide receiver DeAndre Carter enters the market after having 538 yards receiving and three touchdowns last season. The team has to decide what to do at backup quarterback with Chase Daniel and Easton Stick seeing their contracts expire.
Unrestricted Chargers Free Agents
To be an unrestricted free agent, there are a couple of qualifications starting with an NFL player who must have four or more years of experience. Also, their contract must have expired. They can negotiate with any team without any restrictions or draft-choice compensation. Here’s a list of the LA Chargers free agents who are unrestricted.
Quarterbacks
Chase Daniel – QB
Easton Stick – QB
Running Backs
None
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
DeAndre Carter – WR
Richard Rodgers – TE
Jalen Guyton – WR
Centers, Guards, and Tackles
Will Clapp – C
Trey Pipkins – T
Defensive Tackles, Defensive Ends, and Edge Rushers
Christian Covington – DT
Morgan Fox – DE
Tyeler Davison – DT
Kyle Van Noy – Edge Rusher
Linebackers
Troy Reeder – LB
Drue Tranquill – LB
Cornerbacks and Safeties
Bryce Callahan – CB
Nasir Adderley – S
Special Teams
JK Scott – P
Restricted Free Agents
A restricted free agent is a player who has played for three or fewer accrued seasons and has an expiring contract. The team can assign a tender to the player, which allows them to match any offer the player receives from other teams. The team receives draft compensation if the player signs elsewhere.
2023 NFL restricted free agents for the Chargers
Breiden Fehoko – DT (exclusive restricted free agent)
Michael Bandy – WR (exclusive restricted free agent)
Cameron Dicker – K (exclusive restricted free agent)
Storm Norton – RT
Donald Parham – TE
Salary Cap and Roster
The team will have to make some moves to clear cap space. The NFL salary cap is $224.8 million for the 2023 season. Joey Bosa’s cap hit is $31 million. Khalil Mack is second at $27.4 million and Keenan Allen falls third at $21.7 million.
The Chargers could consider cutting Mack or players such as Michael Davis and Austin Johnson to boost its cap space. General manager Tom Telesco wants as much talent as possible surrounding Justin Herbert as he enters his fourth season as a pro.
Chargers Free Agency 2023 FAQs
NFL free agency will commence on March 15, 2023. It begins at 4 p.m. eastern time. The date signifies the start of the new league year and the end of all player contracts. Many players are set to hit the market and gain free agency status.
An unrestricted free agent is a player whose contract has expired, and they have no ties to their former team. Starting on March 15, they are free to negotiate with any team in the league without restrictions.
A restricted free agent can be extended what is called a qualifying offer. If offered, they are still allowed to negotiate with other teams around the league. Their current team is allowed to match any offer.
There is a “legal tampering” period that begins on March 13. Teams can talk to certified agents but no signings can be made until free agency is official.
