Tag: chargers

Dec 18, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers safety Nasir Adderley (24) reacts after intercepting a pass during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Former Chargers S Nasir Adderley announces retirement

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Los Angeles Chargers safety Nasir Adderley announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday.

Adderley’s announcement on Instagram came one day after the 25-year-old officially became a free agent when his contract expired.

“After a period of self-reflection, I have decided it’s time for me to walk away from the game of football,” Adderley wrote Thursday. “Over the past couple of years I have denied this realization, but I’m finally going to put myself first for once. My health is above anything and everyone around me knows that. Truly over-standing (sic) my purpose has given me the confidence knowing I don’t belong an employee anymore. My purpose involves spending more time with loved ones, business ownership and chasing my passion of true liberation.

“With that being said, it has been a dream come true to play in the NFL and have the opportunity to play for the Chargers organization. I believe I have yet to scratch the surface of the player I could be, but if it’s at the expense of my peace of mind then it’s no longer for me.”

Adderley had a career-high two interceptions to go along with 62 tackles and one forced fumble in 16 games (15 starts) last season.

He totaled 232 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 50 games (44 starts) since being selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Delaware.

–Field Level Media

Nov 14, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) celebrates after he intercepted a pass in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Chargers reach deal with LB Eric Kendricks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms on a two-year, $13.25 million deal with linebacker Eric Kendricks, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

The Minnesota Vikings released the 31-year-old veteran earlier this month to save $9.5 million in cap space.

The former All-Pro led Minnesota in tackles in each of the past two seasons, including 137 in 2022.

He played in 117 games (113 starts) with the Vikings, who drafted him in the second round in 2015, and recorded 919 tackles, 15 sacks, nine interceptions and four forced fumbles.

He was a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection in 2019.

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a wild card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Chargers RB Austin Ekeler requests to seek trade

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Chargers running back Austin Ekeler asked for the team’s blessing to seek a trade, his agent told multiple media outlets on Monday.

Ekeler and the Chargers discussed a contract extension but talks didn’t progress, ESPN reported, resulting in the 2017 undrafted free agent asking for another avenue to a payday.

Ekeler, 27, caught 107 passes for 722 yards and rushed for 915 yards on 204 carries with a total of 18 touchdowns in 2022. He scored 20 combined touchdowns in 2021 and has four consecutive seasons with 50-plus receptions.

General manager Tom Telesco wasn’t keen on the idea of parting with Ekeler. Grouping him with Keenan Allen and other “good players,” Telesco said he would prefer to keep the RB when discussing the team’s salary cap standing at the NFL Scouting Combine last month.

Ekeler is scheduled to make $6.5 million this season, the final year of a four-year contract he signed in 2020.

Running back is a deep position in the draft, but Ekeler figures to be a coveted option if he’s made available.

The Chargers are tight against the 2023 salary cap and the looming prospect of a long-term deal with quarterback Justin Herbert clouds Telesco’s options.

Herbert is a lock to have his fifth-year option picked up for 2024, but most high-profile quarterbacks have been locked up before reaching that stage. He will make only $4,234,376 in 2023 before making five times that salary on the option.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa (97) against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Chargers restructure Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack deals

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The Los Angeles Chargers reportedly restructured the contracts of linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, freeing up $25.99 million in cap space and bringing the Chargers closer to cap compliancy ahead of next week’s start of the new league year.

The Chargers recently restructured Keenan Allen’s deal to save $8.9 million in cap space, as well as that of fellow wide receiver Mike Williams to save $5.46 million.

The Chargers now have $17.295 million in cap space, per Spotrac.

The restructuring of Bosa’s and Mack’s contracts provides short-term cap relief for the coming season, though the cap hits increase in 2024 to $36.6 million for Bosa and to $38.5 million for Mack.

Bosa, 27, is a former No. 3 overall pick who has played seven seasons with the Chargers, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2016. In 2022, the four-time Pro Bowler was limited to only 2.5 sacks in five games due to a groin injury that required surgery.

Mack, 32, played eight seasons with the Raiders (2014-17) and Bears (2018-21) before being traded to the Chargers before the 2022 season. He was named to the Pro Bowl six consecutive seasons from 2015-20 and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. Mack had eight sacks in 17 starts last season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) and wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrate after a play during the second quarter a wild card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers restructure WR Keenan Allen’s contract to save $9M

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Wide receiver Keenan Allen saved the Chargers $8.9 million in cap space by agreeing to a restructured contract as Los Angeles scrambles to shed money and comply with the 2023 salary cap.

NFL Network reported Allen, 30, met with general manager Tom Telesco to iron out details of the deal. Telesco was adamant rumors of a potential trade or a release of Allen weren’t options for the Chargers.

Before the restructure, Allen had a $21.7 million cap charge. Fellow wide receiver Mike Williams also agreed to restructure his contract, saving $5.46 million, NFL Network reported.

Telesco said last week that Allen “isn’t going anywhere,” and repeated his desire to keep “all of our good players.”

“He’s our Andre Reed. He’s our Charlie Joiner,” Telesco said.

A third-round pick in 2013, Allen is entering his 11th NFL season. He has 796 career catches for 9,287 yards with 52 career touchdowns. He ranks second in franchise history in receptions, is third in receiving yards and is fourth overall in touchdown catches.

But next year could be a crossroads for the Chargers and Allen, whose new cap charge for 2024 becomes $24 million. At that point, the Chargers can sign Allen to a new deal to spread out the cap hit, or decide to separate.

Telesco knows the clock will start ticking on a contract extension with quarterback Justin Herbert, who is eligible for a fifth-year option at just over $20 million in 2024. But his salary could easily double for 2025 to be in line with recent deals. New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones will make $40 million next season on his new four-year deal, which matches the an annual average salary of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Rams quarterback Matt Stafford.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) catches the ball and runs for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers GM: No thought of parting ways with WR Keenan Allen

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Chargers do not intend to move on from wide receiver Keenan Allen, general manager Tom Telesco said Wednesday.

“Keenan Allen, to me, he’s our Andre Reed. He’s our Charlie Joiner,” Telesco said Wednesday on “Good Morning Football” when asked if Allen has a place on the 2023 roster.

“He’s an incredible football player. We have a great quarterback and we need weapons around him. There’s never been any thought of that.”

Allen, who will turn 31 in April, has two seasons remaining on his four-year, $80 million contract. He is guaranteed just $1.5 million for the upcoming season, however his cap hit is $21.7 million, per Spotrac.

“So (Allen is) with us, and between him and Mike Williams and Josh Palmer, we think that’s a great three receivers for our quarterback,” Telesco said. “We got Austin Ekeler at running back. We have an offensive line that can protect. So those are key weapons we need for our quarterback. We’re thrilled with Keenan.”

Allen recorded 66 receptions for 752 yards and four touchdowns while playing in just 10 games last season. The five-time Pro Bowl selection has the second-most catches (796), third-most receiving yards (9,287) and fourth-most touchdowns (52) in franchise history.

–Field Level Media

Jun 1, 2021; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers secondary coach Derrick Ansley during organized team activities at Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers promote Derrick Ansley to DC

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The Los Angeles Chargers promoted Derrick Ansley to defensive coordinator, one of a handful of coaching changes announced Monday.

Ansley, 41, spent the past two seasons in Los Angeles coaching the secondary, and the Chargers ranked fourth in the AFC in passing defense in that span.

Before joining the Chargers, Ansley was defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at the University of Tennessee. He also coached defensive backs at Alabama from 2016-17, and the Crimson Tide ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense and scoring defense in both seasons.

The Chargers also interviewed outside the organization before hiring Ansley. New England Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington and University of Houston defensive coordinator Doug Belk were among the coaches to interview.

The team also announced the addition of Jeff Howard (linebackers), Robert Muschamp (defensive quality control) and Doug Nussmeier (quarterbacks) to the coaching staff. Tom Donatell was promoted to passing game coordinator/secondary coach.

Most recently, Howard was the passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns. Muschamp spent the past two seasons with national champion Georgia in a defensive quality control capacity. And Nussmeier, who played five seasons in the NFL, has 22 years of coaching experience, most recently spending three seasons as quarterbacks coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

Donatell was the Chargers’ assistant secondary coach the past two seasons.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley during the fourth quarter during an NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Chargers part with longtime head athletic trainer

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The Los Angeles Chargers moved on from head athletic trainer Damon Mitchell, who had worked for the franchise in various capacities since 1999, ESPN reported Thursday.

Mitchell began with the Chargers as an intern 24 years ago. He became the head athletic trainer in 2017 and served in that role for six seasons.

The Chargers went 10-7 in the 2022 regular season and earned a wild-card berth. They led the Jaguars 27-0 late in the first half before Jacksonville rallied for a stunning 31-30 win in the AFC wild-card round.

Los Angeles played without wide receiver Mike Williams in that game after he sustained a back injury playing in Week 18, when the Chargers had nothing to gain.

The Chargers fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi during the offseason, and defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill left the team this week to join the Miami Dolphins and work under their new defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio.

Los Angeles’ Brandon Staley will remain as the team’s head coach for a third season in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Chargers still evaluating DC candidates

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Chargers continue to evaluate candidates for their vacant defensive coordinator position.

New England Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington and University of Houston defensive coordinator Doug Belk are the latest to interview for the job, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

That news came a day after another report said the Chargers were planning to promote defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley to fill the vacancy created by Renaldo Hill’s departure to the Miami Dolphins.

Covington, 33, also interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals, who hired Nick Rallis as their DC last week.

Covington has been on Bill Belichick’s staff in New England since 2017. He coached the outside linebackers in 2019 and spent the past three seasons coaching the defensive line.

Belk, 35, has been on the coaching staff at Houston since 2019. He was promoted from co-defensive coordinator to DC ahead of the 2021 season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Chargers DC Renaldo Hill heading to Dolphins

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Renaldo Hill is leaving his job as defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers to take a job with his former boss, Vic Fangio, and the Miami Dolphins, ESPN reported Monday.

Fangio was named DC of the Dolphins last week, and he’s bringing Hill on board as defensive pass-game coordinator, per the report. Chargers head coach Brandon Staley allowed the move — given that it’s a step down in title — out of respect for Fangio, per the report.

Hill and Fangio have history. Hill coached the defensive backs in Denver (2019-20) when Fangio was head coach of the Broncos.

The 44-year-old Hill played 10 NFL seasons (2001-10) as defensive back with the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, Dolphins and Broncos. He began his pro coaching career as defensive backs coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2015-17), then spent a year on the Dolphins coaching staff before landing the job in Denver.

–Field Level Media