All 32 NFL teams had to cut their respective rosters down to 53 players on Tuesday ahead of Week 1 of the 2023 season. For some teams, like the LA Chargers, it was a tough process as there were more than 53 talented players. For other teams, it was hard to find 53 talented players that felt deserving of an NFL roster spot.
Every year there are big-name players who don't end up making the 53-man roster for one reason or another. That is no different this year and some of those notable players previously spent time on the Chargers.
There are certain notable former Bolts who ended up getting cut and didn't get claimed by another team (like Desmond King did). Some of those players may shock you.
3 notable former Chargers who were cut:
1. Melvin Gordon
After winning the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, Melvin Gordon was unable to make a roster spot to start the 2023 season. The veteran running back signed with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason and he was one of the first cuts reported for Baltimore this year.
Gordon ultimately re-signed on the practice squad and could see playing time in Baltimore in the case of injuries. Baltimore always seems to suffer a litany of injuries at the running back room, which may give Gordon a chance.
It has been a relatively quick decline for Gordon, who was one of the most promising running backs in the entire league when he was with the Chargers. If anything, Gordon is a cautious tale as to why teams don't want to pay backs. Their primes are short-lived and before you know it, they might be on a practice squad.