NFL free agency has been going for a few week now, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2022 offseason, with evaluation from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The brand new league 12 months started March 16 at 4 p.m. ET, which suggests free-agent signings could be made official after that. The primary spherical of the 2022 NFL draft begins April 28 on ESPN.
The Chargers entered free company with a star quarterback in Justin Herbert, who was named to the Professional Bowl in his second season after throwing for five,014 yards and 38 landing passes in 2021. And so they had been in a position to care for a giant offseason precedence by re-signing receiver Mike Williams, who agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract, with $40 million assured and $28 million within the first 12 months of the deal after having a profession 12 months in 2021.
The Chargers are additionally making strikes to bolster their protection, as they acquired cross rusher Khalil Mack from the Chicago Bears to supply pass-rush assist to Professional Bowl Joey Bosa to fight an AFC West that is gotten even harder with the Denver Broncos buying and selling for Russell Wilson.
They had been additionally in search of a proper deal with, a guard and probably a cornerback, together with some large guys on the defensive position to shore up a rush protection that was among the many NFL’s worst.
Here is a breakdown of each 2022 NFL free-agent signing by the Los Angeles Chargers, and the way every will impression the upcoming season:
The Chargers are giving the previous Patriots CB a Los Angeles Chargers are giving former New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson a five-year, $82.5 million deal that features $40 million assured, a supply instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.
What it means: The Chargers simply watched the crew they share a stadium with (the Los Angeles Rams) win a Tremendous Bowl and nonetheless have star quarterback Justin Herbert on his rookie contract. In different phrases, it is time to push their chips in and go after a Tremendous Bowl. That is the one logical conclusion after agreeing to phrases with the market’s greatest cornerback, buying and selling for edge rusher Khalil Mack and re-signing receiver Mike Williams to a $20-million-a-year deal. The Chargers simply missed the playoffs final 12 months however within the uber aggressive AFC, they clearly acknowledged that large strikes had been wanted.
What is the threat: Huge-money free agent signings all the time include some stage of threat. With Jackson, the chance is available in comparable gamers, corresponding to Malcolm Butler, who’ve soared from undrafted free brokers to highly-paid No. 1 corners and never panned out. Jackson additionally had some struggles towards Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs, elevating some questions on how he’ll maintain up weekly towards different high wideouts. However Jackson’s 25 interceptions are probably the most within the NFL over the previous 4 seasons and he is allowed the bottom passer score (42.0) as the closest defender within the league since 2018. It is dangerous, however worthwhile to pursue for a protection now loaded with expertise. — Nick Wagoner
The previous Rams defensive deal with agreed to maneuver throughout city to play for the Chargers, as he’ll sign a three-year deal price as much as $24 million.
What it means: Joseph-Day solely has to change dwelling locker rooms at SoFi Stadium to affix his new crew because the Chargers proceed to spend large to bulk up their protection. Joseph-Day reunites with coach Brandon Staley (the previous Rams defensive coordinator) and joins edge rusher Khalil Mack, cornerback J.C. Jackson and defensive deal with Austin Johnson as vital additions to the Los Angeles protection and, like Johnson, will probably be tasked with enhancing a run protection that yielded the third most yards within the league in 2021. He completed second within the NFL in run stops per recreation (2.75) final season, in line with Professional Soccer Focus.
What is the threat: Joseph-Day was restricted to simply seven common season video games in 2021 due to a pectoral damage. Although that was the one time he missed up to now three seasons, it brings a little bit of a query mark as he joins the Chargers. To his credit score, Joseph-Day returned to play within the Tremendous Bowl. Like with Johnson, this is not a bank-breaking deal, however Joseph-Day might want to keep away from additional damage and ramp up manufacturing for this deal to be a win for the Chargers. — Wagoner
Hopkins has signed a multi-year take care of the Chargers, in line with the crew.
What it means: Bringing Hopkins again was a no brainer for the Chargers, as he supplied much-needed stability within the kicking recreation after being signed this previous October. Hopkins hit 18 of 20 discipline objectives (90%) and 30 of 32 additional factors (93.8%) after taking up for Tristan Vizcaino. Hopkins beforehand performed for the Washington Commanders from 2015 via the primary six video games of 2021.
What is the threat: Hopkins carried out above his profession common this previous season, so he is likely to be susceptible to falling again. However contemplating the issues the Chargers had at kicker previous to his arrival with the likes of Vizcaino and Michael Badgley, it is price it to them to proceed to roll with Hopkins.
Covington is re-signing with the Chargers, in line with the crew. Contract phrases weren’t disclosed.
What it means: The Chargers get again a task participant for the inside of their protection to affix free agent signings Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson. Covington performed in 16 video games final season with three begins and had 52 tackles together with one sack.
What is the threat: There seems to be little or no threat by re-signing Covington. He is coming off a career-high 12 months for tackles and with the addition of Khalil Mack, Covington might find yourself with extra alternatives to get to the quarterback with a lot consideration being paid to Mack and Joey Bosa. He may additionally assist bolster a run protection that was among the many worst within the NFL. — Josh Weinfuss
Johnson will signal a two-year deal price as much as $14 million, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
What it means: The Chargers proceed to make important additions to a protection that wanted them. Whereas this may not transfer the needle just like the Khalil Mack commerce or J.C. Jackson settlement, this can be a quietly stable transfer. Johnson has been a productive, sturdy participant for the Giants and was one of many high run stoppers within the league in 2021 (he ranked sixth in ESPN’s run cease win fee amongst nostril tackles). That is vital for a Chargers protection that allowed the third most speeding yards within the league final 12 months. Los Angeles had now added an impression participant at each stage of its protection because it continues to construct towards changing into a respectable AFC contender in 2022.
What is the threat: Johnson hasn’t missed a recreation in 5 seasons and although this deal is not something to sneeze at, it is also not a bank-breaking transfer, both. Which implies there actually is not an entire lot of threat right here. Though he’s in all probability extra of a two-down participant, Johnson is a logical match who ought to be positive within the Chargers scheme. — Wagoner
Daniel agreed to a 1-year, $2.25 million deal, a supply instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
What it means: With Justin Herbert locked in because the starter, Daniel will return in a backup position for the Chargers. Which implies if he makes the roster, Daniel will enter his 14th NFL season, all of which have been spent as a backup. Daniel has simply 5 profession begins to his identify. Not many gamers have carved out such a distinct segment and continued to obtain important paychecks for this lengthy with out ever getting an actual shot to be a starter.
What is the threat: There actually is not a lot threat right here given the worth and what will probably be requested of Daniel. The one actual threat would possibly are available in some type of alternative price. Which is to say it is honest to marvel if the Chargers may have discovered a greater backup possibility as an alternative of re-signing Daniel. Nonetheless, this price ticket would not stop the Chargers from pursuing such a chance if it had been to current itself. — Wagoner
Phrases of Everett’s deal weren’t disclosed.
What it means: The Chargers have their pass-catching tight finish. Everett had the most effective season of his NFL profession in 2021, his solely 12 months with the Seattle Seahawks, when he caught 48 passes for 478 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Chargers’ main cross receiver at tight finish from final season, Jared Cook, is a free agent.
What is the threat: Everett appears to be like like an excellent wager for the Chargers. He’s solely 27 and his manufacturing by way of catches and yards has elevated each season since he arrived within the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams in 2017. He doesn’t need to put up large numbers to justify the signing, not with the Chargers having receivers like Mike Williams and Keenan Allen and a again like Austin Ekeler.
The Chargers signed Reeder to a one-year deal.
What it means: Reeder reunites with Chargers coach Brandon Staley, who was the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2020. Reeder joins the Chargers after three seasons throughout city with the Rams. He is performed in each recreation the final three seasons with the Rams, compiling 91 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. He began 13 video games, together with the playoffs and Tremendous Bowl LVI.
What is the threat: Whereas the Chargers want reinforcements at inside linebacker, as they misplaced Kyzir White in free company and noticed Kenneth Murray Jr. take care of accidents and inconsistency a 12 months in the past, Reeder was not tendered by the Rams as a restricted free agent. He does have limitations in cross protection, however maybe familiarity with Staley will probably be a boon for Reeder.
