LA Chargers: Three questions that still need to be answered

3. Will the LA Chargers extend either Kenaan Allen or Joey Bosa before training camp?

Two of the most notable players on the LA Chargers are going to be free agents after the 2020 season. In fact, you could make the case that Keenan Allen and Joey Bosa are the most important players on the offensive and defensive side of the ball right now, respectively.

More from Bolt Beat

• LA Chargers: 3 early takeaways from 2021 minicamp thus far
• LA Chargers: Drue Tranquill takes a jab at Gus Bradley’s defense
• LA Chargers second-year players: Nothing to lose and a lot to gain
• LA Chargers: Why running back could be a big issue for the Bolts
• LA Chargers: Chris Rumph’s upside is Melvin Ingram-like, but better

One of the primaries reasons against signing Tom Brady to a two-year contract was so the team would have enough salary-cap space to sign both Allen and Bosa after 2020. Even with all the contracts the team brought in, they have more than enough space to re-sign both guys, as the cap is expected to spike to $240 million under the new CBA.

It would be best for the Chargers to get ahead of the curve and try to extend either player, if not both, before the free-agent period to minimize the worries that the team will have heading into next offseason.

The risk for the Chargers would be working out an extension prior to this season with the potential of one of the players suffering a career-changing injury. However, if you want to retain your franchise pieces, you have to pay it forward and take that risk.

The Chargers could maneuver the cap in a way to minimize the hit this season with the salaries being loaded in 2021 and beyond. It definitely is doable with the NFL salary cap situation.

Out of the two, I think Allen would be more likely to sign an extension prior to the season. He can see the value of wide receivers on the market, especially after Amari Cooper‘s five-year, $100 million deal, and go based on that.

Bosa, on the other hand, is more likely to test free agency. With the rookie contract disputes still fresh in our minds, it appears more likely that he will test the market to see who is offering the most, rather than simply taking the Chargers’ best offer.