The Chargers acquired a few players this offseason, but they also lost some key players from previous seasons.
A total of six former Chargers have new homes: Wide receiver Tyrell Williams, cornerback Jason Verrett, safety Jahleel Addae, defensive tackles Corey Liuget and Darius Philon (who was released), and quarterback Geno Smith.
With preseason nearly coming to an end, we decided to check up and see how they’ve been faring with their new teams.
WR Tyrell Williams, Raiders
Williams was one of the hottest free agents on the market, but it wasn’t long until the Raiders picked him up to give quarterback Derek Carr a solid target for the next four years.
Williams hasn’t popped on the stat sheet, but the only reception recorded showed the player Oakland is getting. Williams and Carr connected for a 27-yard gain. He used his size to box out the defender and leaping ability to go up for a beautiful grab.
CB Jason Verrett, 49ers
Verrett was a playmaker in the secondary, but injuries throughout his stint with the Chargers made the decision a lot easier to move on from him. The 49ers knew that he had a lot of potential when healthy, so they decided to sign him to a one-year deal.
San Francisco was hoping to pair Verrett with Richard Sherman, but they’ve been unable to do so as the injury bug has bitten him once again. This time, it’s a significant ankle injury that has been holding Verrett back, causing him to miss the entire preseason.
Safety Jahleel Addae, Texans
Addae was a common name for the Chargers, and he was released in a surprising manner. The reasoning for his release was largely due to his struggles in 2018 transitioning from strong safety to free safety. He was picked up by the Texans in May.
Houston has been using Addae in a variety of ways. He has been playing in the box, covering the outside and manning the single-high role. Addae has started all three games and has totaled three tackles. He also had a pick on quarterback Matthew Stafford during the Texans’ joint practice with the Lions.
The team has coveted him for his aggressive nature in run support.
DT Corey Liuget, Raiders
2018 was the ultimate deciding factor to not be brought back after Liuget was hit with a suspension to begin and the season and a quadricep injury ended his year. After five months without a home, the Raiders snagged him up this past Sunday.
Coach Jon Gruden is going to use Liuget as a nose tackle and three-technique. Even though he will only have two practices under his belt, Liuget could make his debut as a Raider this Thursday night when they take on the Seahawks in their preseason finale.
QB Geno Smith, Seahawks
The Chargers knew that they weren’t going to have Smith in their future plans, so they upgraded the backup quarterback slots with Tyrod Taylor and Easton Stick. The Seahawks saw some potential in Smith, so they signed him in May in hopes of backing up Russell Wilson.
Smith has been battling it out with Paxton Lynch and it has been neck and neck. The former West Virginia product helped his case this past weekend against the Chargers, completing 11-of-18 passes for 117 yards, while also rushing six times for 24 yards and a touchdown.
Both Smith and Lynch will receive the majority of playing time this Thursday against the Raiders, which will determine if he will have a job in September.
