Of all the seemingly inevitable happenings in the NFL, the most dependable might just be the LA Chargers bringing in former Baltimore Ravens players (and coaches, for what it's worth). That's simply the standard operating procedure under general manager Joe Hortiz.
Hortiz and the Chargers continued that trend on Monday by reportedly agreeing to a contract with Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar. In what was the team's first signing after Monday's legal tampering window opened, the Bolts signed Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million contract with $17 million guaranteed.
At first glance, this may seem like an overpay for a third-string tight end who has 30 career receptions in four seasons. But in reality, this is a contract that should (hopefully) work out nicely for the Chargers.
Charlie Kolar is a savvy signing by the Chargers
Kolar's lack of production is due to multiple reasons. The most apparent is that he was buried in a tight end room that also included Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. A third-string tight end is never going to get many opportunities in the passing game when competing with those guys.
Kolar also isn't the type of tight end who is successful based on his pass-catching production. The former fifth-round pick is a blocking tight end through and through, and during his time with the Ravens, he blossomed into one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the league.
This skillset is extremely important in Mike McDaniel's offense and while it may not be the flashiest, it's one that can serve as the foundation for other areas to succeed. The Chargers needed a tight end like Kolar to run McDaniel's offense how he wants to run it; hence why Hortiz is paying him over $8 million a season.
Plus, Kolar has shown pass-catching potential in the past. His college numbers are nothing to scoff at and in the limited chances he has gotten in the pros he has held his own. It's not like he's a Whomp from Mario who only serves as a blocker and has bricks for hands. He is capable of being a weapon in the passing game when tasked.
Alongside Oronde Gadsden II, who is one of the most exciting young pass-catching tight ends in the sport, the Chargers have the ideal tight end set up to succeed in McDaniel's offense. And when you factor in the joint cost of Gadsden, a fifth-round pick last year, and Kolar, it becomes much easier to stomach.