Joshua Palmer and the 6 Chargers whose time in LA is coming to an end

Nothing lasts forever, especially in the NFL. Unfortunately for several players on the LA Chargers, the tail-end of the 2024 season represents their last days wearing the powder blue.

Jim Harbaugh is building something special in Los Angeles that every player should want to be a part of. However, there are only so many roster spots to hand out and the NFL is a business. For many, the writing is already on the wall for their imminent departure.

Perhaps things can change if any of these players get hot down the stretch and prove that they are irreplaceable. But as it stands right now, there are several Chargers players who are counting down their days in LA.

6 Chargers whose time in LA is coming to an end:

Joshua Palmer

Joshua Palmer had a big opportunity to prove his believers right in 2024. With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone, Palmer had a real chance to emerge as the WR1 and prove that he is worth a decent contract in free agency.

Unfortunately for Palmer, that is not what happened. Injuries slowed down the former third-round pick early on and he has not been productive since returning. Ladd McConkey has emerged as the true No. 1 target in the passing game while Quentin Johnson is being used more than Palmer is.

Palmer is very clearly the third weapon in the wide receiver room and while there is value in that, the Chargers can replace him with any middle-of-the-road wideout. The Chargers should look to get younger at the position while Palmer should seek out a new team where he can have more opportunities.

Hayden Hurst

The Chargers signed Hayden Hurst as a one-year stopgap depth option at tight end and the results have not been great. Will Dissly stepped up to shoulder the burden but Hurst's lack of production in 2024 has played into the tight end room being among the worst positions on the team.

Hurst has missed time due to injury and was even a healthy scratch in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals. It is clear Hurst is not part of the team's long-term plans as he will simply be a depth option for the rest of the year.

Tight end is an early need for the Chargers in the 2025 NFL Draft. Michigan's Colston Loveland has naturally become a popular target because of his ties to Jim Harbaugh.

Trey Pipkins

Trey Pipkins moved from right tackle to right guard when many thought the Chargers would simply bench him after drafting Joe Alt. The transition to right guard has not been easy for Pipkins, who has had to fight for the starting job with Jamaree Salyer.

The Chargers were stuck with Pipkins in 2024 because of his contract but that is not the case moving forward. According to Over The Cap, the Chargers can save $6.75 million in cap space next season by cutting Pipkins with a dead cap hit of just $2.5 million.

Los Angeles can either draft a true guard to replace Pipkins or can upgrade from him with the money the team would save by cutting him. There really is no reason to keep him on the 2025 roster with his cap hit.

Asante Samuel Jr.

Asante Samuel Jr. has been on the shelf with a shoulder injury and the Chargers really haven't missed him. Rookies Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still have stepped up in Samuel's absence, replacing him not just this season but for the future.

Samuel was not picked by this regime, who will naturally favor its own draft picks and free-agent signings (such as Kristian Fulton). The former second-round pick didn't get a real chance to compete for his long-term job in LA but he will land on his feet elsewhere.

DJ Chark Jr.

DJ Chark Jr. started the year on the injured reserve and that put him behind the eight ball. Even after getting healthy, the Chargers made Chark a healthy scratch in favor of Jalen Reagor of all people in Week 11.

The Chargers can take a flier on any cheap wide receiver throughout the league. After essentially admitting they are not very high on him, it is hard to see the Chargers opting to bring Chark back in 2025.

J.K. Scott

Punting is important and J.K. Scott has been outright bad this season for the Chargers. Scott was a positive standout in previous years under special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken but that is no longer the reality for the former Packer.

Replacing a punter during the season can create unnecessary complications, hence why Scott is still on the team. But with his contract expiring after the 2024 season, expect Harbaugh to go out and get his own punter for 2025 and beyond.