The San Diego Chargers have money to spend, but have not made any splash moves in free agency.
So what gives?
Of the projected 22 starters for the Chargers in 2015, 16 of them are players selected in the NFL draft by the team. Draft and develop is an edict that Bill Polian lived by as a top NFL personnel executive, and his protégé Tom Telesco continues to follow that mantra.
Here’s what Polian, now an NFL analyst for ESPN, had to say about free agency.
“I took some heat for not spending big in free agency on other people’s players, but too often I believed I wouldn’t get a good return on the financial investment,” said Polian. “So, despite the criticism, I took a very conservative approach to free agency, abiding by a list of dos and don’ts that helped my teams maintain a high level of success in both the short and long term.”
Telesco is not interested in winning free agency. Even though San Diego has plenty of salary-cap space, the Chargers are taking a cautious approach to bringing in new players, doing their homework and making sure the guy is a fit -- both on the field and in the locker room.
Telesco noted while talking to reporters last week that two years ago the Chargers signed running back Danny Woodhead 10 days after the start of free agency, so impact players can be added later in the process.
Remaining money
The Chargers have a little over $21 million in salary-cap space, according to ESPN Stats & Information. They will need to squirrel away a couple million to sign draft picks and make transactions for injury replacements during the regular season. Telesco also likely will look to get contract extensions done at some point during the offseason for players in the final year of their contracts like Corey Liuget, Philip Rivers and Eric Weddle. However, the Chargers still have enough cap space to add players at key areas of need through free agency.
Signed
OL King Dunlap: The Chargers re-signed Dunlap to a four-year, $28 million deal, including $13 million in guaranteed money. “In our minds he was the best tackle available really on the market,” Telesco said. “And it just so happened that he was with us last year, so that was a key transaction to get done just before free agency started.”
CB Brandon Flowers: The Chargers re-signed Flowers to a four-year, $36 million deal, including $20 million in guaranteed money. Telesco said that Flowers was one of the top two cornerbacks available on the market. “He fits in with us both on and off the field, so it’s been great having him here,” Telesco said.
OL Orlando Franklin: With Denver not interested in bringing him back, Franklin signed a five-year, $36.5 million deal, including $19 million in guarantees. Franklin will play left guard next to Dunlap. Telesco said Franklin was the team’s No. 1 target in free agency to upgrade the offensive line.
WR Jacoby Jones: The Chargers signed Jones to a two-year, $5.5 million deal, and he should provide a significant upgrade to San Diego’s return game.
DL Ricardo Mathews: He played with a lot of energy and effort in 2014 and was rewarded with a one-year, $920,000 deal to return to the Chargers.
C/G Trevor Robinson: He earned his keep as an injury replacement at center and returns on a two-year deal worth up to $4.25 million.
S Jimmy Wilson: The San Diego native will compete for the starting strong safety job next to Weddle, signing a $4.25 million deal.
Visited
WR Stevie Johnson: The Bay Area native visited this weekend, but left without a deal and is headed back East for a visit with the New England Patriots. At 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, Johnson is a big body who can make contested catches. He also provides versatility, with an ability to play on the perimeter or in the slot. At 28 years old, Johnson still has some gas left in the tank, although he did not put up good numbers during his only season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. It will be interesting to see if the Chargers remain in the running for his services.
Persons of interest
WR Michael Crabtree: According to ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim, Crabtree is leaning toward the Chargers in his hunt for a new team. Selected No. 10 overall by the 49ers in the first round of the 2009 draft, Crabtree appears ready to join a new team. At 6-1 and 214 pounds, Crabtree, 27, has good size, soft hands and is a polished route runner. However, Crabtree is not a burner, and appears similar to Keenan Allen in skill set. Like Johnson, Crabtree can play inside at slot as well.
WR Cecil Shorts: According to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego, the Chargers have shown interest in Shorts. At 6-foot and 207 pounds, Shorts has some explosive play-making ability. However, staying healthy is an issue. Shorts has missed 14 games during his four seasons with the Jaguars due to various injuries and ended the 2012 and 2013 seasons on injured reserve.
Gone
S Marcus Gilchrist: Signed a four-year deal with the New York Jets.
RB Ryan Mathews: He signed a three-year, $11 million deal to join the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. The Chargers appeared to have no real interest in bringing Mathews back at that price tag.
OL Chad Rinehart: The Chargers gained $3.35 million in salary-cap space by releasing Rinehart.
WR Eddie Royal: He signed a three-year, $15 million deal with Chicago, including $10 million in guaranteed money. Even though Royal was productive last season, the Chargers were not willing to pay that, and in fact asked Royal to take a $1 million pay cut to $3.5 million in total compensation in 2014.
LB Reggie Walker: The Chargers gained $1 million in salary-cap space by releasing Walker.
CB Shareece Wright: He signed a one-year, prove-it deal worth up to $4 million in joining the 49ers.
Spurned
WR Andre Johnson: Reportedly had a larger contract offer from San Diego, but signed a three-year, $21 million contract to join the Indianapolis Colts.
