The LA Chargers made an addition to the roster on Tuesday, signing linebacker Tae Crowder to a one-year deal. Crowder started all 17 games for the New York Giants in 2021 and finished with 130 tackles.
Crowder's advanced metrics are not the best and if anything, he is a depth signing for the Chargers. Both Amen Ogbongbemiga and Nick Niemann have been banged-up during training camp but returned on to practice on the same day that Crowder was signed.
It was still a surprising signing for the Chargers to make as many fans did not think the team was going to bring in a linebacker with Kenneth Murray getting rave reviews in camp and Daiyan Henley playing very well in the preseason.
It is more confusing when you factor in the other positions of the need for the Bolts. There are three positions, in particular, that should have been addressed before linebacker.
Chargers should have signed a tight end before linebacker
The tight end position has been the most concerning on the entire roster throughout camp and the preseason. Granted, Gerald Everett has not played in the preseason but this has only highlighted the downside of the rest of the tight end room.
Donald Parham and Tre' McKitty have struggled and those are really the only two options the team has. Stone Smartt has looked solid in the preseason and could make a run at a roster spot but he is not going to save the tight end position.
The most concerning area for the tight-end room is its blocking. Both Parham and McKitty have struggled as blockers in the preseason thus far and it was an issue for the team last year as well. Trying to find someone to add some juice into this tight-end room should have been a main priority.