Joey Bosa is no longer a member of the LA Chargers after the team released him for salary-cap space on Wednesday. While Bosa surveys the market for his next team, the Chargers will be looking at other opportunities to trim the roster.
Bosa is not the only player who is going to part ways with the Chargers this offseason. He is just the first of several dominoes to fall, similar to how the Chargers had to say goodbye to several fan-favorites last offseason.
For better or worse, several players who had varying roles with the Bolts will soon follow Bosa's path.
Chargers on the chopping block after Joey Bosa release:
Trey Pipkins
There's no doubt the Chargers will part ways with right guard Trey Pipkins after cutting ties with Joey Bosa for salary-cap reasons.
With no other options, the Chargers were forced to experiment with Pipkins at right guard in 2024. The right tackle had too high of a dead-cap hit to cut outright and would have been the most overpriced swing tackle in the league. Thus, the Chargers force-fit him into a starting role.
Pipkins struggled at right guard just as much as he did at right tackle and it became clear he can't be part of the team's long-term offensive line plans. The Chargers will create an additional $6.75 million in cap space by cutting Pipkins and can find a better depth option for cheaper on the open market.
Gus Edwards
Gus Edwards and Kimani Vidal are the only running backs on the Chargers' roster but that may not save the former's job with the team. After a disappointing season in which Edwards failed to pick up any steam, it is time for the Chargers to move on from the former Ravens back.
Los Angeles should have plenty of interest in re-signing J.K. Dobbins, who should be available at an affordable cost. Re-signing Dobbins is just a short-term play, though, as the Bolts need to keep one eye on the future.
This is a stacked running back class that Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz are going to want to tap into. Ideally, the team could draft a talented running back in the first four rounds to pair with Dobbins in 2025 and eventually take over the RB1 role.
Edwards' release would only create $3.125 million in cap space but every dollar counts.
Ja'Sir Taylor
Ja'Sir Taylor is not on this list for monetary reasons and quite frankly, he may last all the way until training camp if the Chargers don't have a better option for his roster spot. But the moment the Bolts have a better option — and that may not take much — Taylor is as good as gone.
The former Brandon Staley draft project simply has not been good at the NFL level. Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter kept Taylor around in 2024 but he struggled every time he got an opportunity. With talented sophomores Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, and with a robust cornerback market, there is not a lot of room for Taylor.
Trading Taylor only frees up $1.1 million in cap space, so it has nothing to do with that. It all has to do with performance and fit.
Quentin Johnston
This one is completely situational and there is still a decent chance Quentin Johnston is on the Chargers next season. In fact, there is only one situation in which Johnston is not donning the powder blue, but that situation is suddenly now on the table.
Superstar wideout DK Metcalf has demanded a trade and there is speculation the Seahawks may want a young receiver back in the trade package. Trading a first for Metcalf may be too rich for the Chargers but if the team can get it done with a second-round pick and Johnston then the team shouldn't think twice.
And if that is an offer Seattle is willing to take then Johnston is as good as gone.