LA Chargers Week 11 Overreactions: Is Casey Hayward washed?

In a game that can best be described as comfortably uncomfortable, the LA Chargers avoided losing in a new way to the New York Jets.

The LA Chargers recovered from a poor start to beat the New York Jets by a relatively comfortable margin in Week 11.

These are the overreactions from the Week 11 victory.

Overreaction #1: Denzel Perryman should be brought back to start in 2021

In recent weeks Denzel Perryman has elevated his play to the level that Tom Telesco had hoped he could reach when he selected him with the 48th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

In recent weeks, Perryman has made his presence felt in a variety of ways, though primarily as the massive hammer of a human being that he is.

Against the Jets, Perryman stonewalled one of the NFL’s strongest backs, Frank Gore, in the hole, causing a run for no gain. Even more impressively (though admittedly less impactful), Perryman put all 364 pounds of the massive Mekhi Becton on his back while in pursuit of a ball carrier. These types of plays can immensely energize a defense, and they are part of what makes Perryman special.

Based on his recent performance, should the Chargers bring back Perryman to be a starter in 2021?

Denzel Perryman has been great in 2020, and he has played to the level of a starter. Despite this, there are three problems with signing him to be a starter.

First, the Chargers have plenty of good players to fit in at linebacker in 2020. Drue Tranquill, Kenneth Murray, and Kyzir White are all good starters in this league, and the Chargers already have Nick Vigil as a good backup in case one were go to go down.

Secondly, Denzel Perryman is clearly not a good coverage linebacker, which is important in today’s NFL. Of course, it is nice to have Perryman as a rotational piece in this role, but this is typically not the role of a starter.

Lastly, Perryman has an extensive injury history in tow. With so many injuries in 2020, the Chargers should be quite reluctant to hand a starting role to a player that has not been able to hold it in the past due to injury.

While Perryman has been good this year, paying him to remain as a starter would be a mistake. An incentive-laden deal comparable to the 2-year, $12 million contract that he is on now would be plenty.

Verdict #1: Overreaction