LA Chargers: The Battle for LA is already over, here’s why

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Tom Telesco general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers is seen at the 2019 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Tom Telesco general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers is seen at the 2019 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) – LA Chargers
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) – LA Chargers /

Comparing the cap situations of both LA teams

The LA Chargers came into the 2020 offseason with the most cap space Tom Telesco has had so far in his tenure as general manager. Their SoFi Stadium partners?

They came in with almost no cap space thanks to terrible contracts and general manager Les Snead trying to sign or trade for what he thought could be Hollywood’s biggest stars. So far, Aaron Donald seems to have been the only contract worthy of being signed.

The Chargers have made plenty of moves this offseason to bolster what was already a top 10 roster when healthy. These include signing or trading for Pro Bowl-caliber players such as Linval Joseph, Bryan Bulaga, Trai Turner and Chris Harris.

However, the Rams have done very little in terms of adding new pieces to their roster; a roster which seems to be getting worse (again with no first-round pick to help soften the blow) year after year with what may be no end.

Even after cutting star running back Todd Gurley, cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, and linebacker Clay Matthews, the Rams are currently sitting over the cap threshold. They are over the cap threshold by $5.3 million and will likely have to make some more cuts at some point during the offseason or beyond.

The Chargers currently still have $22.3 million in cap space, which they’ll be able to use to pay their draft picks, potentially go after another free agent, and still have rainy day funds (knowing the injury problems) left aside.

LA Chargers 1 – 0 LA Rams