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Chargers’ tempered approach to free agency is best for the team

By Tyler Gallagher

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Denzel Perryman of Los Angeles Chargers and team mates celebrate his interception during the NFL International Series match between Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers at Wembley Stadium on October 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Denzel Perryman of Los Angeles Chargers and team mates celebrate his interception during the NFL International Series match between Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers at Wembley Stadium on October 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Going along with recent history, Tom Telesco and the Los Angeles Chargers have started free agency with low-key signings. Unfortunately for those wanting fireworks, it looks like that will continue.

The NFL is hitting the last day of its tampering period, and there have only been two signings made thus far.

Telesco has made good on his promise to focus on the linebacker position by re-signing Denzel Perryman and bringing in Thomas Davis.

Although Davis is a relatively cheap signing, since recovering from his third ACL tear in 2012, Davis has been an extremely solid and durable player for the Carolina Panthers. Chargers fans should be excited about the addition of Davis to play with Perryman and rising youngsters Kyzir White, Jatavis Brown, and Uchenna Nwosu.

Although many fans hoped for fireworks from the Chargers, this slow approach is likely to continue. And it should continue.

As much as I and others want Earl Thomas to join the Chargers and solidify the back end, investing a lot in one player is not worth the sacrifice it would take at other positions. Hopefully, the rumors about Thomas and the Chargers are just rumors.

Chargers a possible surprise destination for safety Earl Thomas https://t.co/Qac13fvnJx

— Chargers Wire (@TheChargersWire) March 11, 2019

Certainly, Thomas would be a great addition to the Chargers, but the Bolts have too many positions to fill, and any free agent additions should be solid players that can eat up snaps like Davis.

Some key positions that remain to be filled include offensive tackle, both interior defensive line positions, and free safety. Ideally, the Chargers will fill all of these needs to some extent in free agency so that they can draft according to talent rather than need.

Furthermore, with their limited cap space, the Chargers have several of their own free agents that they need to keep. Among those available, some priorities should be Darius Philon, Adrian Phillips, and Geremy Davis. Although Thomas is clearly a stud, Spotrac estimates his market value to be north of $14 million per year.

With now only a bit over $18 million in cap space, Thomas and other high-priced free agents are not reasonably attainable, especially when players like Kwon Alexander are going for an absurd $13.5 million per year.

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The Chargers need space to fill their needs, re-sign their rising talent, and pay for their draft picks.

While I still advocate for throwing caution to the wind, right now, that does not mean going after the big fish of free agency. This will just lead to a roster imbalance and a lack of depth that can sting when the Bolts face injuries (see: 2018 linebacker situation).

For me, it means either trading draft capital for talent on short-term contracts or trading up in the draft for a game-changing player. In free agency, the Chargers will be just fine going after solid, cheaper players like Davis.

Is there one player you want the Chargers to splurge on? Tell me and the Bolt Gang your opinions in the comments below!

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