The Los Angeles Chargers are among the teams who will closely monitor the free agent market this offseason.
They currently possess just over $82 million in cap space, and almost any players who become available could be on the table for them. Yet they also have their fair share of in-house issues to address first.
Most prevalently, both Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack are free agents. In an ideal world, both players are brought back to play alongside Tuli Tuipulotu. While Mack seems eager to come back, Oweh will present a stiffer challenge as his various suitors begin to reveal themselves.
Yet the Chargers just got a major boost to their efforts to retain both of these players. With the Miami Dolphins' release of pass rusher Bradley Chubb, a relatively shallow market has just gotten more competitive.
Bradley Chubb could limit the market for Oweh
This year's pass rusher market is headlined, of course, by Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals. Per Spotrac, he's projected to earn an annual salary in the $25 million range. He'll be the belle of the ball for teams in need of an elite disruptor on their defensive line.
But beyond that, things are relatively slim. There are a number of capable veterans, including Mack, Joey Bosa, and Haason Reddick on the market. As far as top-end talent goes, however, this class is weak across the board compared to other years.
This could spell disaster for the Chargers if teams decide it's worth taking an expensive flyer on Oweh after his strong showing in Los Angeles.
Chubb dilutes this situation significantly. Through 17 games last season in Miami, he amassed 8.5 sacks, 47 combined tackles, and eight tackles for loss. He squarely falls into the veteran pass rusher category, especially considering his missed 2024 season due to a torn ACL.
But he presents a more viable and disruptive option than many of the other veterans on the market.
The Chargers must do everything they can to bring back Oweh. But let's not forget that he's relatively unproven as a consistent pass rusher.
If a team is looking for a surer bet, rather than taking a $77 million gamble on Oweh, one of the veterans on the market could be the better option. Chubb's presence merely gives these teams another option to look at.
It could be the development that helps Los Angeles bring Oweh back.