While the Los Angeles Chargers have a lot of room to maneuver in the offseason, some fans may not be pleased with who they may lose. With players such as Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack set to hit free agency, it may be a bittersweet offseason for the two Chargers stars. Still, because of these potential departures, other players could become available to the team, including one who just participated in the Super Bowl.
While Oweh will command a large contract, potentially playing alongside Tuipolotu for years to come, Mack’s decline in play is a likely indicator that he will not garner much money and definitely not from the Chargers. That is why K’lavon Chaisson could come into play as an apt replacement.
A Super Bowl Contributor Could Hit the Market
While the New England Patriots ultimately fell short of their goal of winning the Super Bowl, the team played well above its station all season long and were just beaten by a far superior team who were much more battle tested. Still, one of the stars of the squad and key reasons for their defensive success was Chaisson. Most importantly, because of the offense’s struggles down the stretch, the Pats could see Chaisson as a cap casualty they simply can’t afford.
Chaisson had originally joined the Pats on a one year deal worth 3 million dollars. He managed to make the most of it, tallying 7.5 sacks and eighteen QB hits during the regular season. With that level of play, his contract this offseason could look very different.
According to Spotrac, Chaisson could command a deal worth 26 million dollars over three years. While the Pats have the cap space, they may wish to address several more glaring issues instead while potentially finding a Chaisson replacement in the draft.
Chargers Have Financial Flexibility to Make a Move
This could see the Chargers, who have the most cap space in the NFL, make their move. Compared to what a now 34 year old in Khalil Mack would command(around 18 million dollars), Chaisson is a much cheaper, much younger option for LA moving forward.
For both teams, it will be a matter of priority. For the Chargers, while extending players like Oweh will be top of mind, they also have a number of issues to address on the offensive side of the ball, as their offensive line could get a new look completely. For the Patriots, despite their ample cap space, they could set their sights on retooling along the offensive line to better protect Drake Maye.
One factor that could end up working in the Chargers’ favor is that this was by far Chaisson’s best season. Other than this year though, he has played at a below average level. If the Pats feel they can better replicate Chaisson’s production with someone else, it’s not crazy to say they could find an even better replacement in free agency.
Chaisson’s fate may hinge on whether or not the Patriots believe in his value. Otherwise, the Chargers could be in prime position for him.
Christopher Sheppard Christopher Sheppard is a passionate and knowledgeable sports journalist based in Englewood, NJ pursuing a role in the sports media industry. He covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, focusing on the Dolphins, Chargers, and Buccanneers. More about Christopher Sheppard
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