4 big takeaways from the LA Chargers signing Gerald Everett
By Jason Reed
4. The LA Chargers can still bring Kyzir White back
Kyzir White still has not signed a contract with a team this offseason and that may be confusing to some. White had a huge breakout season in 2021 and seemed like a lock for the Chargers to try and re-sign this offseason.
However, linebackers are arguably the most dispensable position, especially in Brandon Staley's defensive scheme, and the team really seems to believe in Kenneth Murray as a player. If White was going to come at a premium then it seemed most likely that the Chargers would pass.
The longer White goes unsigned the more it seems like his market may not be what he expected and that is a good thing for the Chargers. While the Bolts could already be completely out on White, they have the money to spend on the inside linebacker as his market possibly goes lower.
According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, if Everett has a $5.5 million cap hit in 2022 then the Chargers have just over $11 million to spend in free agency this offseason. At this rate, we may see White get a deal in the $5-6 million per year range, which is obviously affordable for the Bolts.
The Chargers could hypothetically still sign a starting-caliber right guard and right tackle with the remaining money. Personally, I want to see the team sign Oday Aboushi and Cornelius Lucas. Pro Football Focus projects those two to get a combined $4 million in salary, giving the Chargers enough to sign White.
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This does not mean that White is a lock to come back to the Chargers but the team does have the space to bring him back and if his market continues to be low then he might just be returning to LA after all.