Bolt Beat Monday Mailbag: The future of Philip Rivers
By Tyler Schoon
Question 2: What direction do you expect Telesco to go in free agency, and do you think he will be pretty active? -Dustin
According to Over the Cap, the Los Angeles Chargers have roughly $23.7 million in cap space. Going through the same site, the Chargers need an estimated $6.7 million of that for draft picks. Tom Telesco needs to not only make some cuts, but break open the coupon book for a few good gems.
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Last season, the Chargers brought in Russell Okung in free agency as their “big time” signing, and Tre Boston made “only” less than a million dollars in 2018, and that’s roughly what I expect to see Telesco do this offseason. It’s usually a pick one, get everything else at a discount deal. You get one bigger contract, and the rest come relatively cheap. Cheap does not (always) refer to a player who isn’t talented; rather, players like King Dunlap have shown that smaller contract guys can work out in a big way.
If I had to make an educated guess as to who gets brought over in free agency, though, it’s a center and a kicker. These contracts won’t necessarily break the bank, so you can get both for the price of a more expensive defensive tackle or linebacker. There’s no way I could see Telesco splurging on those positions when the draft completely matches the team’s needs. He’s going to keep Boston, place a second-round tender on Tyrell Williams and possibly extend Casey Hayward. It won’t be sexy, but it’ll be good for the team.
Guys I’m looking at for the Chargers are:
- Weston Richburg, Center
- Matt Paradis, Center
- Caleb Sturgis, Kicker
- Justin Ellis, Nose Tackle
Thanks for the question!
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