Breaking Down the Contract Needed to Re-Sign Every San Diego Chargers Free Agent

Marcelo VillaJun 6, 2018

The San Diego Chargers have 25 players entering free agency this offseason, but only a handful will remain with the team thanks to cap space that gives little wiggle room in 2013.

As reported by U-T San Diego's Kevin Acee, the Chargers have just about $7 million to work with this year. When asked if he'd consider re-working contracts to free up more cap space, GM Tom Telesco didn't rule out the idea but felt comfortable enough to work with what he already had. Acee's piece breaks down the possibility of that happening, paying special attention to the contracts of Philip Rivers and Eric Weddle.

Assuming the cap number stays the same, San Diego may be left with enough money to sign just one player. The next 10 slides feature the Chargers' top 10 free agents and a break down of whether they'll be re-signed. The last slide is a list of the remaining free agents who will likely look for another team.

All salary info is provided by spotrac.com.

Louis Vasquez

1 of 11

2013 Status: Unrestricted free agent

2012 Cap Hit: $1,458,625

Contract Analysis: According to a report by Kevin Acee, Louis Vasquez is one of two players the Chargers have reached out to in the offseason, hinting at the possibility that the two players are at the top of San Diego's list for a new contract.

Vasquez, who started all 16 games at right guard for the Chargers, is arguably the team's second best OL next to Nick Hardwick. As GM Tom Telesco attempts to repair a highly criticized and injury-prone offensive line, re-signing Vasquez has become a top priority moving forward.

The problem is money. Acee believes that Vasquez will command at least $6 million next season on the open market, leaving zero possibility of the Chargers signing other free agents if they choose to re-sign him.

I agree that Vasquez will pull in $6 million, but I don't see it as a bad thing. The fourth-year guard is a solid piece of the O-line.

Contract Estimate: Up to $6 million

Antoine Cason

2 of 11

2013 Status: Unrestricted free agent

2012 Cap Hit: $1,814,500

Contract Analysis: Cason is the second player named in Acee's report as a free agent the Chargers have reached out to. He, too, according to Acee, is said to be worth some big bucks on the open market, about $5 million.

Cason and Quentin Jammer are both free agents in 2013, meaning San Diego is in jeopardy of losing both starting CBs. If Vasquez is re-signed, it's highly unlikely the Chargers have enough cap space to retain Cason as well, unless more space is made by restructuring deals or releasing players.

Contract Estimate: Up to $5,000,000 in 2013

Shaun Phillips

3 of 11

2013 Status: Unrestricted free agent

2012 Cap Hit: $5,666,667

Contract Analysis: Keeping Phillips is going to cost an arm and a leg for the Chargers unless the nine-year veteran loves San Diego enough to take a pay cut. As Acee suggests, Phillips will likely be sporting new colors in 2013.

Contract Estimate: Up to $6,000,000 in 2013

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Danario Alexander

4 of 11

2013 Status: Restricted Free Agent

2012 Cap Hit: $303,750

Contract Analysis: Alexander played his way to a possible full-time position with the Chargers after being signed off the street last October. The former Mizzou Tiger caught 37 balls for seven TDs in 10 games for the Bolts.

Alexander should receive a few offer sheets from teams looking to add depth to their receiving corps, and it's up to the Chargers if they want to try and match those offers to keep him a Chargers' uniform.

From a fan's perspective, I'd hate to see Alexander slip away. The chemistry he had with Philip Rivers produced some pretty convincing results. But, from Telesco's perspective, I don't want to spend too much on one player.

I'd have to let Alexander go for anything more than $1 million. Receiver isn't the biggest need at the moment.

Contract Estimate: Matched offer of $1,000,000

Antwan Barnes

5 of 11

2013 Status: Unrestricted free agent

2012 Cap Hit: $1,900,000

Contract Analysis: Barnes came up way short of his 11-sack season in 2011, finishing 2012 with just three sacks in 11 games played. A hamstring injury shut down Barnes early on in the season, designating him to IR in December.

With the possibility of the Chargers losing Shaun Phillips to free agency, it would be wise to retain an experienced guy like Barnes, who's had some success in the past. However, it comes down to the numbers game. He made almost $2 million last season, which is a little steep considering the cap.

If Phillips walks then I could see the Chargers paying up to $2 million for Barnes next season alone. At 28, he's still relatively young and a decent starter. It all really depends on the scenario with Vasquez and Cason.

Contract Estimate: Up to $2 million for 2013

Quentin Jammer

6 of 11

2013 Status: Unrestricted free agent

2012 Cap Hit: $4,000,000

Contract Analysis: Jammer, an 11-year veteran, is likely at the end of his run with the Chargers. He had one of the best seasons of his career in 2012, but his price tag doesn't fit into San Diego's plans.

Contract Estimate: Up to $4,000,000 on open market for 2013

Nick Novak

7 of 11

2013 Status: Unrestricted free agent

2012 Cap Hit: $540,000

Contract Analysis: Novak appears to be San Diego's new kicker after the team cut ties with Nate Kaeding last season. San Diego has to find some way to make room for Novak in the cap.

As for what he's worth, I'd expect San Diego to pick him up for about the same amount he made last year.

Contract Estimate: Up to $540,000 in 2013

Ronnie Brown

8 of 11

2013 Status: Unrestricted free agent

2012 Cap Hit: $1,000,000

Contract Analysis: I, personally, was not a fan of Brown's signing at the beginning of last season after he bombed in Philadelphia, and I still wouldn't consider him a must-sign this year. But of the three backs behind Ryan Mathews, Brown had the best numbers as a rusher and receiver.

Next to Malcom Floyd, Brown was the next leading receiver with 49 receptions for 371 yards. He proved he wasn't able to handle a feature back role, but he's a formidable No. 2.

In a press conference at the scouting combine, Telesco was asked how he'll approach the running back situation and whether the team is interested in pursuing more talent at the position to help out Ryan Mathews:

"
"Would we like a complement back? There's no doubt about it. I'm a big believer in two backs. These guys take a lot of punishment during the year. To have two backs back there - actually, you'd like three - but you'd like to have two backs who you can lean on so Ryan doesn't have to take the bulk of the carries week in and week out."

"

Brown has to be a consideration for one of those two, possibly three, slots. He has the experience and the hands out of the backfield to complement Mathews.

Contract Estimate: Up to $1,000,000 in 2013

Aubrayo Franklin

9 of 11

2013 Status: Unrestricted free agent

Salary Cap Hit: $890,000

Contract Analysis: Franklin didn't have much to contribute to the Chargers as a free agent in 2012, finishing with a total of 20 tackles. He was expected to have low numbers sharing playing time in a rotation on the defensive line but his season was pretty forgettable.

Kendall Reyes had such a good rookie season that it may have cost Franklin his job. At defensive tackle, I expect Reyes to get more snaps and share time with a second or third guy. You can get a 20-tackle guy from the draft for less money.

Contract Estimate: None

Tyronne Green

10 of 11

2013 Status: Unrestricted free agent

2012 Cap Hit: $1,362,312

Contract Analysis: Green was supposed to take over the gig at left guard in 2012 but he struggled in his first season. A hamstring injury stood in his way of starting all 16 games as well.

Green isn't the team's top guard but he is a starter. Still, Green has likely played his last game in a Chargers uniform unless he settles for less pay. Although, there's an awful lot of talented guards in this year's draft.

Contract Estimate: None