The LA Chargers are looking to build on a strong turnaround season with an even stronger offseason in 2025. After accelerating the rebuild under Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers' goal is to build on the foundation with more resources than last year.
The Chargers have over $73 million in projected cap space before making any moves to free up more room. A lot of that cap space is due to the laundry list of players who are hitting free agency for the Bolts this offseason.
Some of these players will inevitably find new teams this offseason and some may end up re-signing. Either way, the Chargers have a busy offseason ahead with a lot of players to either bring back or replace.
Full list of Chargers free agents this offseason:
Player | Type |
|---|---|
Khalil Mack | UFA |
Morgan Fox | UFA |
Kristian Fulton | UFA |
D.J. Chark Jr. | UFA |
Easton Stick | UFA |
Taylor Heinicke | UFA |
Denzel Perryman | UFA |
J.K. Scott | UFA |
Asante Samuel Jr. | UFA |
Troy Dye | UFA |
Poona Ford | UFA |
J.K. Dobbins | UFA |
Marcus Maye | UFA |
Josh Palmer | UFA |
Eli Apple | UFA |
Tony Jefferson | UFA |
Elijah Molden | UFA |
Shaquille Quarterman | UFA |
Teair Tart | UFA |
Hayden Hurst | UFA |
Sam Mustipher | UFA |
Bradley Bozeman | UFA |
Jalen Reagor | UFA |
Chris Rumph II | UFA |
Simi Fehoko | UFA |
Brenden Jaimes | UFA |
Nick Niemann | UFA |
Tucker Fisk | ERFA |
Foster Sarell | RFA |
Stone Smartt | RFA |
Unrestricted free agents are free to test the market and sign with any team they please. This offseason, those from the 2021 NFL Draft class (outside of Rashawn Slater, who has a fifth-year option as a first-round pick) will be testing free agency.
Quite frankly, it is hard to see the Chargers making a strong push to re-sign any of the players from the 2021 draft class. While it could happen, the Bolts will be fine if all of those players walk and sign with new teams in 2025.
Outside of the 2021 class, the biggest names include Khalil Mack, J.K. Dobbins, Teair Tart and Poona Ford. All four players played huge roles in the team's success in 2024 and they may all be brought back if the price is right.
Tucker Fisk is the only exclusive rights free agent and the ball really is in the Chargers' court if he comes back or not. To keep Fisk, the Chargers simply have to offer him a qualifying offer at league minimum. There is no option for him to go elsewhere if the Chargers make that offer.
It is unclear if the Chargers will tender either Stone Smartt or Foster Sarell. With neither player being all that impactful in 2024, nor having ties to this regime, the team may decline to tender both players and let them test the market as unrestricted free agents.