The Los Angeles Chargers, along with the other 31 teams in the NFL, are forced to make tough roster decisions ahead of free agency. With the Chargers looking to create some cap room, they have chosen to release Casey Hayward, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Chargers releasing veteran CB Casey Hayward, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2021
Hayward has spent the past five years with the Chargers after playing four years with the Green Bay Packers to begin his career. Since earlier in his career, Hayward has been one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL as he's earned only two Pro Bowl selections in his career.
Just this past season, Hayward contributed 41 tackles, eight pass breakups, and an interception. The former second-round pick out of Vanderbilt has been a marquee member of the Chargers, but the team is likely looking to get younger at the cornerback position.
Also, having Chris Harris Jr. on the roster makes the release of Hayward more doable. By releasing Hayward, who is going to be turning 32 years old in September, the Chargers are creating $9.75 million in cap savings while incurring a dead-cap penalty of $2 million.
Despite him being an aging cornerback, Hayward could definitely drum up interest in free agency. Especially with it being a thin group of cornerbacks available on the open market. Though, that could be subject to change with more releases expected to take place before the start of the new league year on Wednesday.
Brandon Staley, the new head coach of the Chargers, is hoping to turn another Los Angeles defense into an elite group in 2021. But the first-year head coach will have to do so without one of the longest-tenured players on the defense.
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