LA Chargers being interested in Von Miller is a huge mistake
By Jason Reed
Free agency is right around the corner and we are starting to get an idea of what the LA Chargers might be interested in doing. While Tom Telesco typically operates in secret fashion, there have been some emerging reports about who the Bolts could be targeting.
Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reported on Monday that the Chargers are one of several teams that could have interest in pursuing Von Miller this offseason. Wilson also reported that Uchenna Nwosu and the Chargers have mutual interest in a reunion but the money has to be right for Nwosu to return. Perhaps the Chargers may prefer to pay Miller over Nwosu but that is just speculation.
On paper, the LA Chargers are the perfect destination for Von Miller this offseason. He gets to stay in bright, beautiful Los Angeles. He would theoretically get paid (as the Chargers have the cap space) and he would reunite with Brandon Staley, who runs a defense that Miller would fit great in.
However, Von Miller is not a good signing for the LA Chargers.
Yes, Von Miller is a huge name and he did just put together an impressive run in the playoffs for the Los Angeles Rams. However, Miller's regular-season numbers are trending in the wrong direction and his age is only going to accelerate that potential regression.
Miller is still a solid player in the regular season but he arguably is not worth the kind of money that he is going to get on the open market because of his status in the league. PFF projects Miller to get a two-year, $34 million contract this offseason.
That is a lot of money to pay an edge rusher who is going to be 33 heading into the season. Even if Miller does play solid in the playoffs for the Chargers in the future, it is going to be really hard for him to live up to that price tag.
Time and time again we have seen Tom Telesco sign older players based on their name only to see them regress (looking at you, Chris Harris). It is one thing to sign a veteran to a cheap, one-year deal (like Jared Cook). It is another thing to commit big money to someone whose arrow is pointing down.
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There are Charger fans who are aggressively against the team paying Mike Williams around $17 million per season. Paying Von Miller that same kind of money would be a horrible move, and hopefully, these reports don't turn into anything concrete.