Chargers salary cap situation could be major deterrent to future hires
The Los Angeles Chargers did what was long overdue, firing HC Brandon Staley with just three games left to go in his third season as head coach. They also let go of Tom Telesco, the team's general manager of the last eleven years. As owner Dean Spanos turns his attention to the future, his team faces […]
The Los Angeles Chargers did what was long overdue, firing HC Brandon Staley with just three games left to go in his third season as head coach. They also let go of Tom Telesco, the team's general manager of the last eleven years.
As owner Dean Spanos turns his attention to the future, his team faces some very serious challenges to get back on the right path. One of those challenges could be a major deterrent to future hires.
It might even be one of the more unattractive destinations because of the epic teardown and rebuild coming to this roster beginning in 2024. This team went all-in on the 2023 NFL season only to likely finish last in the AFC West division.
The Chargers have a salary cap problem
From the outside, the Chargers might seem like an appealing job because they have the most important position figured out. Justin Herbert is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, and he's under contract, but the rest of the picture in Los Angeles is an absolute mess.
Having an expensive, aging, and bad football team is not a good place to be — and that's exactly where the Chargers are at. Tom Telesco left the books in Los Angeles an abject disaster. Right now, they're expected to be over $45 million over the projected $240.5 million salary cap in 2024. Only one team, the New Orleans Saints, is projected to have less cap space in 2024 than the Chargers.
Khalil Mack is coming off a career season, but he's due $38.5 million in salary cap space in 2024 and he's about to be 33 years old. Keenan Allen has been as consistent as they come in Los Angeles, but injuries and age (32) are catching up to him. Can they afford to dish out $34.7 million to him in 2024?
Joey Bosa, Mike Williams, and Derwin James are all in the same boat to an extent with big cap hits, injuries, underperformance, and more.
Never mind the fact that your fifth-largest cap hit in 2024, CB J.C. Jackson ($20.8 million), is no longer with the team. The offseason is going to be an absolute bloodbath with the veterans who somehow willed this team to five victories going on the chopping block.
Yes, the team needs to get younger, faster, and cheaper — but that's a several-years-long rebuild ahead. They can get themselves into a better financial situation, but the cost might amount to punting on another season of your young franchise quarterback and surrounding him with barebones talent. What general manager candidate would want to take over that situation knowing that you've got to compete with Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes and Sean Payton-Russell Wilson stacks in the AFC West?
Heck, the Las Vegas team that embarrassed the Chargers on national television in Week 15 is already a better destination for a head coach. One might argue that the Carolina Panthers are in a better situation because their quarterback is still on his rookie deal and they're not in financial ruin for the foreseeable future.
As more and more opportunities become available over the next several weeks, it'll become increasingly apparent that this job isn't all that it's cracked up to be.
Chargers name Giff Smith interim Head Coach and JoJo Wooden interim GM
The Los Angeles Chargers have made their decision.
