The LA Chargers continued to make use of the newfound cap space from trading Keenan Allen and signed the team's starting center for the 2024 season on Monday. Los Angeles signed former Baltimore Raven Bradley Bozeman to a one-year deal, adding yet another player who played under Greg Roman to this offense.
Bozeman was an obvious candidate for the Chargers to sign as soon as he was released by the Carolina Panthers. Since he was released, Bozeman did not count against the compensatory formula and on a one-year deal, he is the perfect stopgap.
The Chargers will still likely draft a center in the 2024 NFL Draft for depth to become the long-term starter but the free-agency need has been filled. With some salary-cap space still remaining, here are the other needs the Chargers may look to fill.
Chargers' biggest free agency needs after signing Bradley Bozeman:
4. Running back
The Chargers already made an addition to the running back room by signing Gus Edwards and all signs are pointing to the team taking a running back in the mid-rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. That being said, it would still be beneficial to add a veteran back to compete for a rotation spot.
Rookie running backs can be hit or miss and there is always the risk of injury both with Edwards and any incoming rookie. Having Isaiah Spiller be the only contingency plan is a dangerous game that the Chargers need to avoid playing.
This flier running back signing might not even up amounting to everything and that is okay. Adding another free-agent running back isn't about landing the next Pro Bowler that can carry the offense. It is about giving the team some sort of security net in case of emergency.