Los Angeles Chargers Free Agents 2022: Mike Williams and Linval Joseph are set to hit free agency

The Los Angeles Chargers have a significant number of players set to be free agents in 2022. Amongst them are important players on both sides of the ball. With one of the best cap situations in the NFL, Los Angeles is in a good position to improve their roster in free agency.

Los Angeles Chargers free agents in 2022

Following the conclusion of the 2021-22 NFL season, the Chargers have 24 players with expiring contracts. 20 of them will be unrestricted free agents, one is an exclusive rights free agent, and three are restricted free agents. All players are unrestricted free agents unless stated.

Top Chargers offensive free agents

The Chargers have a couple of offensive starters set to hit free agency. Let’s take a look at the most prominent free agents on offense.

Mike Williams | WR

The Chargers knew this was coming. They tried to extend Mike Williams prior to the 2021 season but were unable to reach an agreement. Now, he’s set to be a free agent.

Williams is one of the more coveted free-agent wide receivers in 2022. With the second-most salary cap space, according to Spotrac, at $57.5 million, the Chargers can certainly afford to re-sign Williams. If they don’t, however, expect him to garner interest from many receiver-needy teams. He’s going to get a long-term deal as a WR1/2. The only question is where.

Jared Cook, Stephen Anderson, and Donald Parham | TE

The only tight end currently on the Chargers’ roster is Tre’ McKitty. Jared Cook was their starter in 2021, but at 35 years old, I don’t expect them to re-sign him.

Therefore, the Chargers should prioritize extending former XFL star Donald Parham. He’s just 25 years old and has improved every year. I believe he can be a starting tight end in the NFL. Hopefully, the Chargers feel the same. Regardless, as an ERFA, I fully expect them to at least extend Parham a veteran’s minimum offer. He’ll be back.

Stephen Anderson is a veteran rotational player that plays special teams and has a place on an NFL roster. Whether he returns to the Chargers or goes somewhere else, Anderson has a role in the NFL. Yet, he won’t be a highly sought-after player.

Top Chargers defensive free agents

Just nine of the Chargers’ free agents are defensive players. The good news is they don’t have many holes to plug up. The bad news is two really important players need new contracts.

Linval Joseph | DT

At 34 years old, Linval Joseph is getting up there in age. Nevertheless, Joseph remains a stabilizing force on the defensive line. He recorded 57 tackles in 14 games last season.

Joseph made $8.5 million in the second year of his two-year contract signed in 2020. The Chargers have the salary cap space to bring him back. Look for them to try and work out an extension prior to free agency. If they can’t reach an agreement, there will be a strong market for Joseph’s services in free agency.

Chris Harris | CB

The 33-year-old veteran cornerback is certainly not the same shut-down guy he was in Denver during the entirety of his 20s. Chris Harris is still a starting-caliber slot cornerback, but I question whether the Chargers will pay what it costs to retain him.

Harris made $8.5 million in 2021, but he did not play up to his contract. While I doubt the Chargers are opposed to bringing Harris back, they may let him test the waters of free agency. If another team is willing to pay him, the Chargers may very well let them.

The Chargers’ other free agents in 2022

What other Chargers players are free agents in 2022? Some of these players inevitably won’t return next season.

• Oday Aboushi | T
• Kyler Fackrell | LB
• Ryan Smith | CB
• Uchenna Nwosu | LB
• Chase Daniel | QB
• Michael Schofield III | G
• Dustin Hopkins | K
• Senio Kelemete | G
• Matt Overton | LS
• Christian Covington | DT
• Justin Jones | DT
• Trey Marshall | S
• Kyzir White | LB
• Storm Norton | G (RFA)
• Scott Quessenberry | C
• Justin Jackson | RB
• Jalen Guyton | WR (RFA)
• Ty Long | P (RFA)