As the final days of the 2019 season wind down, it’s almost time to officially shift the spotlight toward the offseason.
With that, here are the three storylines that will dominate for the Chargers leading up into it:
What’s in store for the quarterback position?
Could the 2020 regular season mark the first time that the Chargers have a different starting quarterback since 2006? With Philip Rivers set to be an unrestricted free agent, it’s very possible that Los Angeles could have a new signal-caller.
Rivers has suggested that he still wants to play, but that he was still going to go over his options with his family when the season concluded. The 38-year old is coming off a year where he tossed 20 interceptions.
Though he was plagued by inconsistency on the offensive line, his arm strength and decision-making was still questionable, drawing some questions in regards to whether or not he can still play at a high level next season and beyond.
Should the Bolts decide to move on from Rivers, Tyrod Taylor would likely begin Week 1 as the starting quarterback and the bridge to the rookie – assuming they choose to take one in the early rounds of the 2020 NFL draft, with options at the top like Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert or Jordan Love.
No matter what route they go, the Chargers need to determine what their future is going to look like there at the position.
Is Tom Telesco going to go all out in free agency?
The Chargers enter this offseason with with a projected $56.245 million in salary-cap space, according to OverTheCap.com, marking the most salary cap-space since general manager Tom Telesco took over in 2013.
Telesco has never been notorious for splurging in free agency, but that’s primarily because he hasn’t had the ammo to do so. With this being the year with the most money the front office has had to spend, could he use this as the outlet to bring in top-tier talent?
Some of that money will be spent on some of their notable in-house players – Hunter Henry, Adrian Phillips, Michael Schofield – but with some releases and reconstructing, they could clear up some salary cap-space to put them in an even more optimal position.
The Chargers need to find difference-makers along the offensive line, and Telesco has hit on players like Russell Okung and Mike Pouncey. The team could benefit from signing soon-to-be free agents like Jack Conklin, Brandon Scherff or Joe Thuney.
Is Joey Bosa going to get paid?
The Chargers have a few free agents of their own that will require getting paid in order to return next season. But Bosa, who’s not a free agent until after the 2020 season, will still require top dollar in order to play.
Bosa is slated to make $14.36 million on his fifth-year option next season. Based on the impact that he’s made since joining the team, he would be underpaid if he was to play making that much in 2020.
That is why Bosa could possibly hold out if he doesn’t receive a hefty contract. Prior to his rookie season, he showed that he isn’t afraid to do so when wanting his signing bonus money up front, as well as removing offset language from his contract.
So how much are we talking to avoid Bosa holding out this offseason?
Los Angeles would likely have to pay him in the ballpark of what Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence got, which is five years, $105 million, with $65 million guaranteed or even Bears’ Khalil Mack’s six-year, $141 million deal with $90 million guaranteed.
If the Bolts want to keep Bosa, then it’s highly recommended that they have a nine-figure check written up for him.
