Why it makes no sense for the LA Chargers to not use cap space
By Jason Reed
2. The LA Chargers are already in a good situation financially next season
The LA Chargers are going to have some players coming off the books after the 2021 season that is going to open up cap space to spend where they need to spend. Mike Williams is a free agent and probably should not be re-signed (especially if the team adds Jones). Williams is being paid over $15 million this season.
Linval Joseph and Chris Harris’ contracts are expiring and there are always cut options to free up even more money. Derwin Jones will not yet need a new contract as he is playing on his fifth-year option in 2022 and Austin Ekeler, Joey Bosa and Keenan Allen are locked in.
The team does not have to pay Justin Herbert yet and really, has a lot of financial flexibility as is. Sure, stacking that with even more money could help, but it is not like the Chargers are going to need the money.
As it stands right now, OTC projects the Chargers to have $46 million in cap space in 2022. That number will go down to $35 million if Jones is on the team but that is still more than enough to sign the rookies and have a decent free-agent signing class.
Speaking of the free agents, they are the third and final reason why the Chargers should not roll over the cap. They would not be spending money this year to spend on mediocre options next year.