LA Chargers: Grading Tom Telesco’s first two signings
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers get an A+ for signing Corey Linsley
Earlier in the offseason, I wrote about why Corey Linsley should be the no. 1 priority for the LA Chargers in free agency and Tom Telesco seemingly had the same idea in mind as he paid Linsley. We do not know the exact year-by-year breakdown yet, but we do know the overall dollar amount.
According to Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero, Linsley signed a five-year, $62.5 million contract with the Bolts that will pay him $26 million over the first two seasons. That means that the last three years are worth $36.5 million — just over $12.1 million per season.
Of course, the contract is not going to fully be guaranteed and I would almost guarantee that the last year of that contract carries a very low dead cap hit. Similar to Trai Turner’s contract, the Chargers will likely be able to cut ties with Linsley after four years for no cost, which is very important.
I know that no one wants to talk about cutting ties with the player that the Chargers just signed but it is important to give yourself that flexibility. Linsley is 30 after all, and there is a chance that by the time the contract reaches its end he is not worth the money he would be paid. The Chargers know this, they have seen it first hand and they are prepared.
Typically I would be very scared of giving a player of Linsley’s age this kind of contract but if they were going to sign any experience offensive lineman they chose the right position to do so. His veteran leadership is not only going to be great for Justin Herbert, but will be fantastic for what should be a young offensive line around him.
Even if Linsley cannot refind his All-Pro form, the Chargers got one of the best centers in the league to protect their franchise quarterback.