2023 Chargers Cuts: How likely Keenan Allen, Khalil Mack and more are to be cut

CB Michael Davis
Michael Davis probably had the biggest change in potential odds to be cut over the course of the 2022 NFL season. After the Chargers signed cornerback J.C. Jackson to a huge free agent contract last year, Davis seemed to largely be an afterthought in Staley's defensive plans for the secondary. Jackson and Asante Samuel Jr. seemed to be the definitive top two CB2 duo entering the season last year.
Two major tectonic shifts happened in the 2022 season that changed most Chargers fans minds. Jackson ruptured his patellar tendon about midway through the season and Davis had the best season of his career as Staley's CB1 in his place.
The Chargers being able to save $7.4 million seemed like such a slam dunk when Davis was arguably the team's CB4 at one point. Now? The team's best move is to probably offer him an extension to free up some current cap space this year.
Davis had his best year in coverage in 2022 by any conceivable metric. He set a career-high in pass breakups with 12 and allowed an opposing quarterback passer rating of 77.3. His missed tackle percentage was 6.2%, the lowest figure by far of his career.
I wouldn't go quite as far as to say the Chargers have to keep Davis under all parameters. There probably are some combinations and permutations that could happen through the draft and free agency in replacing him. But he's in the best form of his career in a cornerback room with a lot of uncertainty behind him. The Chargers could financially benefit from releasing Davis, but the money saved is not worth the incredible risk they'd incur.