The LA Chargers signed former Raiders center Andre James at the start of the second week of free agency. While we knew it would likely be a one-year deal, the exact numbers on the contract didn't immediately come out. Earlier this week, however, new details dropped on James' deal.
James received a veteran minimum amount at $1.17 million for the 2025 season. Even when considering the slightly down year he had for the Raiders in 2024, that's tremendous value. James turns 28 in May and has a chance for a bounce-back season if he wins the starting job.
Chargers bolster offensive line at exceptional value
After missing out on the first four days of the interior offensive line market, getting Mekhi Becton and James for a combined $8.49 million in 2025 is solid business. It at least doesn't pigeonhole the Chargers into needing to take a guard or center early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles could still address the left guard spot in that capacity if they wanted to. But in a very Ravens-like fashion, Hortiz has gotten Los Angeles into a position to be able to take the best player available over need.
James' contract doesn't guarantee him anything as far as a role is concerned. A $1.17 million cap hit indicates that the front office wants legitimate competition between Bradley Bozeman and James for the center spot.
Bozeman carries a $5.065 million cap hit this season, but just $3.375 million of his two-year deal is guaranteed. The Chargers can also save $3.1 million by releasing Bozeman before free agency in 2026.
I reported four Chargers cap hits a few days ago, including James. All of the other 2025 values that were in that report are now on OverTheCap. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke will carry a $2.5 million cap hit (up to $6.5 million in incentives), while nose tackle Naquan Jones is at a $1.81 million cap hit. As mentioned earlier, Becton's cap hit for 2025 is $7.32 million.
Where does this leave the Chargers? Los Angeles now has $30.87 million in cap space, per OverTheCap. That figure does not include draft picks or an in-season budget, so the true spending space figure available is closer to $20-22 million.
With some money left to spend, we'll see if the Chargers are able to make more pre and post-draft bargain signings like they were able to in 2024.