LA Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz showed a real affinity for compensatory selections in his first offseason with the Bolts in 2024. As a result, the Chargers ended up with three projected compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
While the Chargers' picks are exclusively on day three of the draft, Hortiz proved in his first draft with the team last year that he can find impact players in the later rounds. The Chargers losing a few fringe free agents last offseason can actually help the team find the next great player.
The Chargers will receive some of this compensatory picks essentially for free. Not every departing free agent worked out for their new team but that does not change what the Bolts get in the 2025 NFL Draft.
This is exactly what happened with former Chargers tight end Gerald Everett. Everett signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Bears last offseason and after an extremely underwhelming season, the Bears have decided to part ways.
We have released Gerald Everett and DeMarcus Walker.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 21, 2025
Chargers can thank Bears for bonus compensatory pick
It's unfortunate Gerald Everett didn't work out in Chicago and Chargers fans should root for him wherever he lands next (as long as it is not a rival). That being said, the dichotomy of Everett's release and the fact the Chargers still get a pick from him is notable.
The Chargers are projected to receive a sixth-round for losing Everett last offseason. That may not seem like a big deal until you realize Trey Smith, who is a dream free-agent target for many Chargers fans, was selected at the end of the sixth round.
There is no guarantee the Chargers draft someone even half as impactful as Smith with the Everett selection. But it is another swing at the pinata the Chargers get to take thanks to losing a free agent who didn't produce for his new team.
Everett caught just eight passes for 36 yards with the Bears. He was relegated to special teams duty, catching just one pass on two targets in the last nine games of the season. It was a far cry from the 966 combined yards Everett had in his two seasons in LA.
Meanwhile, the Bears lost out on a compensatory pick for signing a tight end who did nothing only to be released a year later. Everett's two-year deal canceled out another former Charger, Justin Jones, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals (and only played three games).
Thanks, Chicago, for giving the Chargers more ammunition in the 2025 NFL Draft. With Joe Hortiz's track record, it may turn into an impactful selection.