LA Chargers: Why the team could benefit from a salary cap drop

Reason #2: A decreased market for 2021 free agents

It’s no secret that the LA Chargers have key contracts that need to be reworked at the end of the season. Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen, Hunter Henry and Melvin Ingram are some of the key players in need of new deals.

In the instance of Henry, the Chargers were apparently close to an extension with him prior to the pandemic. The team has about two weeks to reach a long term deal with Henry prior to him having to play 2020 on the franchise tag.

A decreased cap means a decreased market, which hurts the players more than it does the teams. It’s an unfortunate situation for the players, but teams simply aren’t going to have the money they’re used to throwing around in free agency.

Instead of $25 million, for example, Bosa may end up having to take $19-20 million. The same is true for someone like Allen, who could have to take a decreased salary if he wants a long term deal as well.

It may not seem like a big difference on each deal individually, but it adds up. Signing talent at less than their market value when the cap will eventually spike again after the league financially recovers saves the team a lot of money they can use down the line. The Herbert contract also contributes to the extra money they can use here, unlike the Kansas City situation with Mahomes.

While it’s not good for the players and the situation is unfortunate, a cap decrease does help the Chargers going forward in their ability to construct a roster around Herbert with free agents having to take less than their market value.