3 Chargers contract extensions that need immediate attention

A tell-tale sign of whether a team is good at drafting is how many homegrown players they have signed to contract extensions. The LA Chargers have had some strong drafts, but they aren't the gold standard in that regard.

Justin Herbert is the obvious outlier, but the extensions given out to pass rusher Joey Bosa and safety Derwin James haven't aged graciously. Bosa, owner of the Chargers' highest cap hit in 2024, has played just 14 games the last two seasons and has surpassed 10.5 sacks once since 2019.

Meanwhile, James makes the most annually and guaranteed of any safety. He's great when he drops into the box to defend the run and rush the passer but his discipline in coverage leaves a lot to be desired and has been a real hindrance to the Chargers secondary.

Luckily, this is the dawn of a new era of Chargers football. Fans are hopeful John Harbaugh and new general manager Joe Hortiz are more responsible with the team's limited budget. With that in mind, here are some extension candidates that need immediate attention.

3. K Cameron Dicker

Don't underestimate the importance of special teams! Cameron Dicker has bee a revelation for the Chargers over the last two seasons. In 2022, Dicker put together one of the best rookie years by a kicker since the 1970 merger with a 95.5% field goal percentage.

Dicker proved that was no anomaly, as his 31 made field goals in 2023 were the most in a single season by a Chargers kicker in 10 years. His 93.9% conversion rate on field goals ranked fifth among all kickers and he made the fifth-most kicks beyond 50 yards.

Overall, Dicker owns the best field goal percentage (52-of-55 or 94.5%) in league history by a kicker with at least 50 field goal attempts. He was also one of the lone positives from the Chargers' 2022 playoff debacle against Jacksonville He made 3-of-4 field goals and all three of his extra points in the loss, proving he can handle the pressure of a big stage.

Dicker should be well on his way to earning an extension with Los Angeles. He's the best kicker the team has had in a decade. His combination of range and accuracy make him one of the deadliest kickers in the NFL.