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Home » Blog » Chargers not doing enough to maximize Philip Rivers’ window

Chargers not doing enough to maximize Philip Rivers’ window

Matt Verderame NFL

The Los Angeles Chargers should have spent some cap space on immediate, real help this offseason. Instead, general manager Tom Telesco shopped in the discount aisle while allowing two key pieces to leave the roster.

While linebacker Thomas Davis has certainly enjoyed a tremendous career with the Carolina Panthers, his best days are far behind him. At 36 years old, Davis is more of a spare part than a key contributor, something shown by the Panthers allowing him to walk out the door.

Los Angeles, which is admittedly tight on cap space, could have spent money to retain wide receiver Tyrell Williams. On the surface, it appears Williams was given a massive four-year, $44 million deal from the Oakland Raiders. In reality, Williams was given a one-year, $11 million contract. The Chargers certainly could have come over the top to keep him in the fold. With today’s base personnel grouping being three-wide, replacing Williams will be key.

Telesco also lost defensive tackle Darius Philon despite the 25-year-old being a quality youngster on the front line. Philon signed for a small $10 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals across two years. Again, something Los Angeles certainly could have afforded.

Allowing a pair of young cogs to leave when star quarterback Philip Rivers is in the end of a championship window makes little sense. Sure, the Chargers have a litany of terrific players in Rivers, Melvin Ingram, Melvin Gordon, Joey Bosa, Melvin James and Keenan Allen, but they are both fighting against Father Time and battling in an arms race with the Kansas City Chiefs. To get worse before the draft, even though they had the resources to get better — or at a minimum tread water — was a poor decision.

In the draft, Telesco needs to be aggressive in filling needs. The Chargers have one of the more complete rosters in the league, but that was only good enough to be spanked out of the AFC Divisional round by the New England Patriots two months ago. Los Angeles could use another receiver to replace Williams, while certainly upgrading along the defensive line. If the latter need in particular is not satisfied, teams will run early and often against the Chargers, softening up the pass rush.

Going into April, Los Angeles has to feel it’s one of the top contenders in the AFC. Had it have made more moves in March, it might be the contender. All that said, the Chargers still have a chance to dramatically improve their shortcomings in the draft.

The results there might be the difference for Rivers and his quest for the ever-elusive ring.

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