The Chargers have some important players set to hit the open market after the 2019 season.
It is a mix of key veterans and young guns that have played significant roles for Los Angeles, which means the team will have to make some tough decisions.
The Bolts have 14 players set to be unrestricted free agents in 2020. We break down the odds for each soon-to-be free agent returning to play for L.A.
QB Philip Rivers
Even though he’ll be 38 when he’s set to hit free agency, the Chargers have every reason to ensure Rivers begins and ends his career with the franchise.
He played at the highest level a season ago, throwing for 4,308 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2018 as Los Angeles went 12-4 and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Sure, the contract won’t be long-term. Instead, it’d make sense if it were for only two years but it’s almost certain that the veteran quarterback will be with the team until he’s 40 years of age.
Return Chances: 100%
OC Mike Pouncey
Pouncey was arguably the best member on the offensive line in 2018, after being signed through free agency. The Chargers went from near the bottom in rushing to a top-10 team in just a short period of time and a lot of credit goes to him.
For his efforts, he made the Pro Bowl for a fourth time in his eight-year career this past season. Pouncey, 30, is in the middle of his prime and has established himself as a key piece on the offensive side of the ball.
Return Chances: 95%
RB Melvin Gordon
Gordon has made headlines this offseason as many are eager to find out if he will return as a Charger in 2020. Some are skeptical because Gordon has dealt with various injuries throughout his young career. But when he’s healthy, he’s easily among the best running backs in the league.
General manager Tom Telesco and coach Anthony Lynn have both stated that they want him back. There have been confirmations that Gordon and his representation are in the early talks of constructing a deal. I firmly believe they see him as a long-term player and his play will outweigh the injury concerns.
Return chances: 95%
S Adrian Phillips
Phillips established himself as one of the top defenders in the 2018 season. He took over as the team’s dime linebacker after the Chargers were hit with various season-ending injuries at the position and excelled in that role.
Phillips led the league in special teams tackles with 19. He finished the season with 94 tackles (77 solo), 10 passes defensed, four tackles for loss and one interception.
Knowing how defensive coordinator Gus Bradley covets versatile players on the defensive side of the ball and ones who can play fast, Phillips fits that mold and he should be in consideration for a pretty decent paycheck after the season.
Return chances: 95%
TE Hunter Henry
Following a phenomenal 2017 season, Henry was unable to top his campaign after he was hit with an ACL injury. After a few months of recovering from it, he showed that he was ready to go when he saw the field in a limited fashion against the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.
There’s no denying that when Henry is on the field, the offense is even more electric. Henry, who is only 24 years old, is barely at the beginning stages of his prime and should only get better as the seasons go by.
Return chances: 95%
CB Trevor Williams
Williams emerged in 2017 after he took Jason Verrett’s spot when he was hit with a season-ending injury. He started 15 games and posted 54 tackles (46 solo), 13 passes defensed and two interceptions. With high expectations entering 2018, he was unable to match the season prior because it was cut short due to a knee injury.
Williams, who is now healthy, is eager to earn his starting spot back over Michael Davis. The only thing is that he will have to show that he can perform at a high level once again and stay injury-free if he wishes to earn another contract with the Chargers following this season.
Return chances: 80%
G Michael Schofield
Schofield was a bright spot on a below average offensive line this past season. He had his dud moments every once in a blue moon, but he held his own for the most part.
Schofield, 28, will likely retain his spot as the team’s starting right guard going into the 2019 campaign but Forrest Lamp could push him for that spot. The Chargers may elect to move forward with Lamp as their guy if he can show his worth and that he’s healthy.
Return chances: 60%
LB Jatavis Brown
When healthy, Brown is a force to be reckoned with. Last season, he tallied 97 combined tackles, along with one sack, five passes defensed, and a forced fumble. But unfortunately, he missed the tail end of it due to an ankle injury.
With a crowded linebacker room, it’ll be interesting to see how much playing time Brown receives now. He will certainly have some competition but the one main thing is that he’s a big contributor when on the field. Like others, it’ll all come down to health for him.
Return chances: 70%
FB Derek Watt
Watt was drafted the same year as Melvin Gordon so that way he could follow his fellow teammate from the University of Wisconsin and provide the team with an additional blocker to pave the way.
You can make the argument that he isn’t a key player to earn another contract. He only played in 14.67 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in 2018, but was given a much bigger role on special teams, appearing in 51.4 percent of those snaps.
Even though it’s easier to replace players like him, he might be brought back to serve as a special teams ace and the coaching staff appears to covet him because of that and a strong locker room presence.
Return chances: 60%
DT Damion Square
In 2018, Square was a versatile piece, playing both defensive end and defensive tackle, helping fill a void with Joey Bosa injured early on. In 16 games played, Square notched 31 combined tackles and three sacks.
Because of that, he re-signed to a one-year deal. With the team bringing in two rookies in Jerry Tillery and Cortez Broughton, and an expectancy of Justin Jones receiving an expanded role, it may limit Square’s snaps. It’ll all come down to his performances this season if he wants more time with the Chargers.
Return chances: 65%
WR Geremy Davis
Despite not having a single reception in the regular since his arrival with the Chargers, Davis has consistently stood out in training camp and preseason action. He has stuck around because the team covets him for his imposing stature to serve as a key blocker.
He will be fighting for one of the five or six wide receiver spots. But it’ll come down to what he can do with his opportunity to potentially end that catch-less drought. If someone emerges over him or if the team has future plans to prioritize a wide receiver next year, he might be on his way out.
Return chances: 55%
Not likely to be back
S Jaylen Watkins
Despite showing out last year in camp, Watkins’ season was cut short with an injury. With a crowded safety room, it’s unlikely that he is brought back, especially if an undrafted free agent performs better the next couple of months.
DE Anthony Lanier
Lanier was signed to the practice squad last November to serve as an additional pass-rusher. He didn’t make his presence known and it’s unlikely that he will given the depth the Chargers have, including Uchenna Nwosu and Emeke Egbule as players that serve as that role.
DT T.Y. McGill
McGill was brought on after Corey Liuget was placed on the injured reserve list. He only tallied two tackles and it’s doubtful that he will be a contributor this season with how many pieces the team has on the interior part of the defensive line.
LB Nick Dzubnar
Despite not receiving much action on the field, Dzubnar has been a key special teamer in his four years with the Chargers. Now, he will be more buried on the depth chart as the team added more players at his position, leaving him more likely to be out of a job next year.
