LA Chargers: 3 former Chargers to pursue in free agency
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers are no strangers to bringing players back after parting ways with them. Last season, the team brought in Jahleel Addae to provide depth after Derwin James’ injury and in 2019 they brought back Dontrelle Inman for a third stint with the organization.
The Chargers could very well do the same thing this offseason. There are former Charger players on the free-agent market, some of which fill exact needs that the Bolts have heading into the 2021 season.
While the regime is completely changed with Brandon Staley, there is still familiarity at the executive and ownership level with these former Bolts.
Here are 3 former LA Chargers players that the team should pursue in free agency:
1. Jason Verrett
This would be so exciting. Jason Verrett had so much potential coming out of college and many thought he would still be the team’s CB1 to this day. However, Verrett simply could not escape the injury bug as that is what defined his career with the Chargers.
Verrett was fantastic in the only season that he stayed healthy (2015), recording three interceptions (one pick-six), 12 passes defended and 47 tackles. He was a Pro Bowler.
He was only 24 that season and did not even get a full rookie season. We were all just imagining how good he could be with more time under his belt. Unfortunately, he only played five games with the Chargers over the next three seasons.
He was hurt in his first season with the 49ers in 2019 as he only played one game that season as well. Finally, Verrett got healthy this past season despite the 49ers’ slew of injuries and started 13 games and was pretty decent.
He did not record any interceptions but he did play solid coverage that warranted a 76.1 coverage grade on Pro Football Focus.
Why not take a cheap flier on Verrett? If he plays as he did this past season he would be a better depth option than Brandon Facyson and if all goes well could provide the team some relief as they eventually transition away from Casey Hayward.
He does turn 30 this summer, which is usually a big red flag for me, but he has so few miles on his legs and the price would be so cheap that I think it is worth the risk.