Jamaree Salyer was well worth the sixth-round pick the LA Chargers used on him in the 2022 NFL Draft, even if he was never a full-fledged starter. Salyer stepped up and delivered every opportunity the Chargers gave him, whether it was at tackle or at guard.
Yet, because he isn't a perfect scheme fit with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, the Chargers let Salyer walk in free agency this offseason. Ironically enough, Salyer signed a one-year deal with McDaniel's former team, the Miami Dolphins.
Salyer's departure was already a contenious topic for many and the details of his new deal with the Dolphins don't make it any better. Salyer's one-year deal is only worth $1.4 million, stinging Chargers fans in more ways than one.
Jamaree Salyer's departure now stings even worse for Chargers fans
It goes without saying that the Chargers could have matched the paltry deal Salyer ended up signing with the Dolphins. The Chargers have ample cap space and even with their moderate spending, a $1.4 million price tag wouldn't have been too bad.
What makes it look worse in hindsight is how much the team paid to keep Trevor Penning and Trey Pipkins. Salyer played better than both of those players yet got far less money. Penning signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract while Pipkins signed a two-year contract worth $10 million.
It's a shame the Chargers let a player who played better walk for cheaper because he isn't as good of a scheme fit in McDaniel's system. Yes, scheme fits are important, but there is also value in simply retaining the best players possible, especially when that retention is coming in a depth capacity.
Plus, there is a very real chance that McDaniel only lasts one year in Los Angeles. McDaniel should be a successful offensive coordinator and will get head coaching looks next offseason. He has already blatantly said being a head coach is his goal, so don't expect him to continue passing on opportunities to stay in LA.
Yes, the scheme should carry over, but it does make it a bit unsettling that the Chargers are more comfortable letting a better player walk because of a one-year scheme fit. But alas.
Also, if Salyer only signed for $1.4 million as the more productive player, chances are they could have re-signed both Penning and Pipkins for cheaper. As much as the Chargers want to save money, it's interesting that they potentially paid over market value for worse players.
And to cap it all off, Salyer's cheap deal keeps the Chargers from getting a compensatory pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. General manager Joe Hortiz values compensatory picks, so the fact he didn't even get that is a negative on top of the already debatable decision-making.
But hey, who are we to question what the Chargers do in the offseason? Hopefully, it doesn't end up coming back to burn the team.