San Diego Chargers Free Agents: What Will It Take to Keep Key Chargers?
Building toward the 2015 season will require the San Diego Chargers to reward some of their own in the offseason.
Money won't be a restraint compared to years past, as San Diego is projected to have around $25 million in cap space to work with. Tom Telesco's hands were tied in his first two years as general manager, but now that the team is in good health financially, he'll be able to spend more freely on upgrading the roster.
In addition to this year's class of free agents, the Chargers will also have to consider the expiring contracts of players in 2016 as well. Philip Rivers and Eric Weddle top the free-agent list of 2016, but according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, signing Rivers, Weddle and others to extensions could reduce the team's cap number substantially in two years' time.
But for now, let's focus the attention on San Diego's top five free agents and what it will take to keep them.
5. Dwight Freeney, OLB
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Analysis
Apart from ranking in the top 10 in defensive hurries during the regular season, according to Sporting Charts, Freeney didn't do a whole lot else. He finished third in team sacks with 3.5 and had 10 tackles.
In two seasons with the Chargers, Freeney has played a total of 20 games and managed only four sacks. His first year in San Diego was cut short by a season-ending quad tear; he returned in 2014 to play all 16 games.
Freeney is set to turn 35 in February and will be contemplating retirement after finishing up a 13th season in the pros. While his sack numbers have gone down considerably in the latter part of his career, Freeney's signature spin move was still effective even in his old age. No. 93 may not have gotten to the quarterback as often, but his presence alone drew attention from the opponent's offensive line.
What it will take to keep him
Freeney took a $1 million pay cut in the offseason just to stay with the Chargers, so my guess is there may be some wiggle room on another short-term deal if San Diego is interested. The deciding factor here is whether he wants to play another season. He made $2.5 million in 2014, so getting him at or below that would be my opinion of a fair deal.
Keep in mind, though, that the Chargers don't necessarily need Freeney. He had a restricted snap count last season, and second-round draft choice Jeremiah Attaochu is waiting in the wings for his opportunity for more playing time.
4. Eddie Royal, WR
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Analysis
Royal finished with the second-most receiving touchdowns on the team and became especially valuable when fellow receiver Keenan Allen missed the last two games with a broken collarbone. He had back-to-back games of 90-plus receiving yards against San Francisco and Kansas City.
Royal's first season with the Chargers in 2012 didn't go so well, as injuries caused the ex-Denver Bronco to miss six games, but the following year he nearly tripled his receiving yards and finished with a career-high eight touchdowns. 2014 was just as productive as he managed to reach his highest reception total since his rookie year while hauling in seven scores.
He turns 29 in May and has shown the last two years that he can be an effective weapon in this offense. He led the team in catches of 20-plus yards with 14 and was a go-to target for Rivers on pivotal passing downs.
What it will take to keep him
Like Freeney, Royal took a $1 million pay cut to stay in San Diego, which reduced his salary to $3.5 million in 2014, but his production over the last two seasons is deserving of a pay increase. As far as slot receivers go, the Chargers can't afford much better than Royal in free agency, and the depth isn't there to replace him within the organization. He made an average salary of $4.5 million on his first deal with San Diego, so something around that seems fitting.
3. Ryan Mathews, RB
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Analysis
Mathews fell well short of expectations coming off a 1,200-yard season in 2013. Knee and ankle injuries confined the fifth-year back to just six games—the least of his career.
Since he was drafted as the 12th overall selection in 2010, Mathews has shown himself to be a tease. When healthy, he's a dynamic piece to San Diego's offense, but the frequent injuries have interrupted the team's success as well as his own. Mathews has completed a 16-game season just once in his career and has missed a total of 20 games.
What it will take to keep him
Acee suggests the option of an incentive-laden deal for the injury-prone running back, which would force Mathews to earn it on the field. He made a little more than $3.2 million this past season despite watching from the sideline for most of the year.
As much as I liked what I saw from Branden Oliver, he's not ready for a featured role, and Donald Brown didn't really do enough to cement himself in that position either. I say Mathews gets that incentives deal, or the Chargers simply move on.
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2. King Dunlap, LT
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Analysis
Rivers and several teammates felt Dunlap was wrongly snubbed of Pro Bowl recognition, according to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The 29-year-old tackle protected River's blind side against some of the league's feared pass-rushers this season, but his outstanding effort went unnoticed.
Regardless of what voters thought, however, Dunlap was easily the best offensive lineman on San Diego's roster. Franchise left tackles don't just show up on your doorstep, but that's kind of how Dunlap's situation played out when he joined the Chargers in 2013. The ex-Philadelphia Eagle was initially projected to be a backup, but he won the starting job in training camp and hasn't looked back since.
What it will take to keep him
Given the state of the offensive line, it's important for San Diego to secure an anchor to build around. Dunlap earned just over $2.4 million last season, but he's definitely in a position to get handsomely rewarded by the Chargers.
1. Brandon Flowers, CB
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Analysis
Flowers needed just one year to impress the Chargers, and he will be, without a doubt, their main priority in free agency. He led San Diego with three interceptions and tied for the team lead in pass breakups with 10 while adding 52 tackles.
The secondary underwent a massive improvement with Flowers in place, going from 29th in pass defense a year ago to fourth in 2014. Individual accomplishments for the former Kansas City Chief included holding Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Smith Sr. to one catch apiece in head-to-head matchups.
What it will take to keep him
Fellow starting cornerback Shareece Wright will also be a free agent in 2015, which could translate into San Diego retaining only one of the two. Flowers made $3 million his first year with the Bolts and will likely demand more after making good on his test drive.
Telesco will have the finances to keep his marquee free-agent acquisition, but Flowers could potentially explore the market for a bigger payday. He and Darrelle Revis will be heavily courted in the offseason as the top two corners on the free-agent market.
All salary figures courtesy of Spotrac.com.
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