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The Los Angeles Chargers have a new regime in place after a 7-9 season that resulted in the firing of head coach Anthony Lynn, in turn leading to the hiring of SoFi Stadium roommate Brandon Staley.
Justin Herbert won Offensive Rookie of the Year after a terrific season, one in which he wasn't even expected to play due to Tyrod Taylor being named the starter. Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen was sent packing and got a job in the same role with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Lynn got hired as OC of the Detroit Lions rather quickly.
The Chargers have a lot of cap space in free agency and are in one of the best situations in the NFL as far as available money goes. They also hold the 13th overall pick in the draft and return Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler, their two best players on offense apart from Herbert, and have a decision to make on tight end Hunter Henry.
The Chargers have money to play with, and with Joey Bosa and Derwin James expected back healthy in 2021, Staley is excited to get to work with that talented defensive group as he will be the one calling the plays.
With that being said, the Chargers could make some cuts to create even more cap space, and a few options come to mind, including cornerback Casey Hayward and defensive linemen Linval Joseph, both of whom are approaching the end of their careers.
However, the Chargers could make a more surprising cut this offseason in an effort to revamp their team and bring in some youth to protect Herbert.
OL Trai Turner
The Chargers offensive line was once again a disaster, and newcomers Bryan Bulaga and Turner spent the majority of the year out with injuries, with center Mike Pouncey missed the entire season and might not return in 2021.
This move might come as a surprise due to the poor play of the line that protected Herbert, but let's examine. Turner carries an $11.5 million cap hit going into 2021, and after only playing seven games in 2020, and underwhelming when he was in, the Chargers need to let him go and call it a lost cause.
Turner could end up being re-signed, but not for that much money.
Many mock drafts have two offensive linemen headed to Los Angeles in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, and perhaps Tom Telesco decides to spend some money and sign another in free agency, and the money from cutting Turner could benefit this team in their most pressing area.
Trai Turner is a vibe @trai_turner ⚡️👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/Ai42GxBCNt
— Chargers Country (@ChargersCountry) December 18, 2020
Turner had high hopes in LA after coming over in a trade that sent Russell Okung to the Carolina Panthers the last offseason. Unfortunately for the Chargers and Turner, he took a step back due to a nagging groin injury that forced him out for more than half a season.
He played well at times and played poorly at times, but the Chargers' issues with the offensive line have always been health and adding some new, younger pieces in could help shore up the front group in an effort to protect their franchise quarterback.
Turner had his moments in Los Angeles without a doubt, and maybe the Chargers keep him, but freeing up that extra money would be huge for a team with a new regime and perhaps one last chance for GM Telesco to right the ship and get this team back to the playoffs.
He can still play when healthy, and he should find work rather quickly, but the $11.5 million he's due is too much considering his overall body of work in 2020.
The Chargers have other options such as Hayward, who has regressed a bit, and perhaps Chris Harris Jr., although his relationship with Staley should keep him safe with the Chargers.
Wide receiver Mike Williams is another option, but riding one last shot with their former first-round pick is ideally what the Chargers do, especially considering that the rest of their receiver group besides Allen underwhelmed severely in 2020.
Herbert is such a talented young quarterback and protecting him is a priority, which is why the Chargers seem destined to add multiple offensive line pieces within the next few months, both in the draft and in free agency.
The Chargers roster in general isn't that far off from a playoff berth, and after the countless questionable calls from both Lynn and Steichen, as well as subpar play-calling from defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, the Chargers should be a playoff team quickly with Staley at the helm.
