INDIANAPOLIS — Los Angeles Chargers common supervisor Joe Hortiz was noncommittal on the futures of huge receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and outdoors linebackers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa when talking with reporters Tuesday on the NFL scouting mix.
“We’re nonetheless working via it,” Hortiz stated. “Clearly, the wage cap acquired bumped up somewhat bit greater than I feel everybody was anticipating — somewhat bit extra. It offers us, actually, some flexibility somewhat bit. We’ll proceed to speak via that over the subsequent couple of weeks and have a plan of assault shortly.”
The Chargers are projected to be $25.5 million over the wage cap, in accordance with ESPN’s roster administration system. Williams, Mack, Bosa and Allen — 4 of the Chargers’ greatest gamers — all have projected cap hits upward of $30 million subsequent 12 months.
“When it comes to the cap, I am assured we are able to get there as a result of you must get there,” Hortiz stated with a smile. “I’ve no selection however to get below the cap, so I can promise you that we’ll try this.”
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Allen, the Chargers’ longest-tenured participant, has been essentially the most dedicated to returning to the Chargers. He had arguably the very best season of his profession in 2023, setting the franchise file with 108 receptions and ending with 1,243 yards, the second highest of his profession.
Allen, 31, instructed reporters final month that he would solely play for a choose few groups if traded from the Chargers and would think about retirement.
Williams, Mack and Bosa have all expressed a willingness to return to the Chargers, however they’ve totally different conditions than Allen.
Bosa and Williams have been amongst L.A.’s greatest gamers, when wholesome. Bosa has made 4 Professional Bowls, together with three straight from 2019-2021. Williams earned a three-year, $60 million contract after a career-best 2021 season with 76 catches for 1,146 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Accidents, nonetheless, have plagued each gamers not too long ago. After lacking the playoffs with a again fracture through the earlier season, Williams missed the ultimate 14 video games of the 2023 season after tearing his ACL in Week 3. Bosa has performed 14 video games within the earlier two seasons, coping with hamstring, toe and foot accidents.
Mack, 33, is in an identical place as Allen, in that he’s in his early 30s however coming off arguably the very best season of his profession. He was a lone shiny spot for an abysmal Chargers protection, securing a career-high 17 sacks, the third highest within the NFL.
Mack, nonetheless, would not have the ties to the Chargers like Allen does. He has been with the crew for simply two seasons and has stated that successful a Tremendous Bowl is his precedence. If he feels he has a greater probability to do this elsewhere, the Chargers may transfer on from him with one 12 months remaining on his contract.
“I do know what I convey to the sport, understanding that I need to be a crew man,” Mack stated. “No matter crew. I am not accountable for that proper now.”
One side the Chargers additionally must weigh is the gamers’ ages; Williams, 29, and Bosa, 28, are barely youthful regardless of their harm historical past.
“You’ll be able to have a look at a participant’s age,” Hortiz stated. “… You are at all times it, however you even have to have a look at the manufacturing that they’ve had and that you simply count on them to proceed to have. I feel these are the issues that you must weigh.”
