The Los Angeles Chargers are facing a significant salary cap challenge, as outlined by Daniel Popper of The Athletic. According to Popper’s estimates, the Chargers are currently projected to be $35.23 million over this season’s NFL salary cap. To meet the cap requirements by the official start of the season on March 13th, the team needs to reduce this amount by $25.67 million.
Popper suggests that the Chargers could address this issue by releasing injury-prone WR2 Mike Williams and linebacker Eric Kendricks. By doing so, they would achieve “compliance” with the cap, effectively eliminating $26.5 million from the projected overage.
Furthermore, Popper explores the possibility of extending the contract of the team’s six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, Keenan Allen, to alleviate the cap burden. Despite Allen’s advancing age—he turns 32 in April—Popper believes he demonstrated enough performance during the previous season to warrant multiple productive seasons ahead. Allen himself expressed a desire to remain with the Chargers, stating in January his preference to retire as a Charger and not play elsewhere.
An extension for Allen could provide financial relief for the team. While there remains $11.62 million in prorated signing bonus from his current deal for 2024, an extension could offer flexibility to lower Allen’s cap hit for the current season. With his $18.1 million base salary not guaranteed, negotiations for a new deal could potentially mitigate the team’s cap constraints.
