5 Chargers Who Will Be on the Roster Bubble in 2015

The San Diego Chargers are tied for the second-oldest roster in the NFL, so it should come as no surprise that age will play an important role in the formation of next year's team.

Getting rid of veterans is no easy decision, but general manager Tom Telesco has been down this path before. When he first arrived on the scene in 2013, he was forced to sever ties with a handful of veterans including a 36-year-old Takeo Spikes. 

With that in mind, Telesco hasn't shied away from adding experienced players either. That same year, he signed Jarret Johnson and Dwight Freeney to the roster, both of whom had already been playing for more than a decade.

Here's a list of five Chargers who will be probably be on the roster bubble in 2015 based on age, performance and usage. 

Chad Rinehart

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Rinehart was one of only two offensive linemen to start all 16 games for the Chargers in 2014, but according to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, he was also one of three underperformers on the roster last season.

Expectations were high for Rinehart after he signed a $5.1 million deal with $2 million in guaranteed money last March, but he failed to live up to those expectations. As a result, his spot on the roster could be in jeopardy next season.

The Chargers are nearly guaranteed to draft an offensive lineman in April, and if that player just so happens to play guard, Rinehart may be on his way out in San Diego.

Johnnie Troutman

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When Jeromey Clary was unable to return from offseason surgeries, Troutman was handed the starting job at right guard, where he made 15 starts before suffering a knee injury that forced him to miss the final game of the season. 

Troutman struggled early, though, and by midseason, he was sharing snaps with third-round rookie Chris Watt. Something that's been brought up before with Troutman is the fact that he's playing right guard when he played left in college. When Troutman saw some time at left guard in 2013, he seemed to handle himself better, and yet the Chargers continue to play him on the right.

Troutman is on the bubble because D.J. Fluker may be moving inside for 2015. If that's true, Troutman can only hope to challenge Rinehart for his position or stay on as a backup.

Reggie Walker

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Walker saw ample playing time in 2013 when depth at linebacker became increasingly thin due to injuries, but a bum ankle forced him to miss five games this past season. 

With Dwight Freeney considering retirement and Jarret Johnson getting long in the tooth at age 33, retaining Walker isn't such a bad idea. He's set to make $1 million in base salary next season, a relatively cheap price for a versatile defender.

Walker did have a couple of boneheaded penalties, however, which made him a liability at times. The Chargers can't afford those types of mistakes on defense, so they may consider finding linebacker help in free agency or the draft. 

John Phillips

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Phillips has become less and less involved in the offense since he was brought in two years ago. The initial plan was for him to come in on running downs as an extra blocker, but with hardly a run game to turn to nowadays, it's difficult to believe San Diego will have a place for him on the roster next year.

Ladarius Green will get more snaps alongside Antonio Gates eventually, which would leave Phillips possibly third or fourth on the depth chart. 

On a side note, although he caught just one pass in 2014, it went for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jarret Johnson

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Johnson turns 34 in August and will be entering his 13th year in the pros. Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com still thinks the Chargers could bring him back, but only for the right price.

Johnson had 51 tackles last season, his biggest total since 2011 when he made 56 in his last year in Baltimore. While he may be splitting snaps in a rotation, he has made the most of his playing time and provides leadership for this young San Diego defense. He was a co-defensive captain alongside Eric Weddle this past season.

Moving on from Johnson is a real possibility, but when you consider the fact that he actually took a pay cut just to stay in San Diego, it's obvious he's a team player. Like Williams says, if he wants to come back for the right price, then let him do so.

Salaries courtesy of Spotrac.com.