The LA Chargers head into the 2026 offseason in a solid spot financially. Currently, they are projected to lead the league in available cap space once free agency opens in March.
The final number can vary depending on what the NFL sets the salary cap at for 2026. But using OverTheCap's current cap projection of $295.5 million, Los Angeles would have $100.03 million to spend this offseason.
Leading the league in cap space is obviously a good financial position to be in. But the Chargers will also face key internal and external decisions about how they should spend the money. Los Angeles has 28 players from their 2025 roster set to hit some form of free agency (UFA, RFA, or ERFA). That's over half of a 53-man roster in terms of possible roster turnover.
The Chargers lead the league in cap space for 2026, but there's a catch.
Some projected pricey Chargers internal free agents need contracts as well. Midseason trade acquisition Odafe Oweh figures to have earned himself a good deal after his run to end the season. The future of EDGE Khalil Mack also hangs in the balance. Last offseason, the star Chargers' pass rusher contemplated retirement before ultimately deciding to return.
Free agent Teair Tart has likely earned a bigger contract. The same could be true for LG Zion Johnson. The list probably goes past those players, but the point is this: at least a chunk of that projected $100 million that's available for GM Joe Hortiz to spend will go towards retaining their current players.
The Chargers were also faced with a similar cap surplus position last offseason. Ultimately, Hortiz decided to piecemeal free agency together outside of re-signings like Mack or externally bringing in Mekhi Becton. The Ravens way of handling business was using the draft to build moreso than free agency in Hortiz's time with Baltimore.
Center Tyler Linderbaum could change the Chargers' thought process as far as spending money on a premium market-setting contract in free agency. But if they did sign Linderbaum and retain some of their key pieces, that is likely well over half of the $100 million gone.
There are some key levers the Chargers can pull to open up cap space. A Justin Herbert restructure or a Derwin James extension are key moves that could provide flexibility. A decision will also have to be made on the future of Becton as a very cuttable contract.
But as it stands right now, the Chargers do have $100 million to spend. Whether or not they go big game hunting in March with that salary cap space remains to be seen though.