The Los Angeles Chargers found a way to get under the 2024 NFL salary cap ahead of the official opening of free agency on Wednesday. New general manager Joe Hortiz released high-priced wide receiver Mike Williams while surprisingly restructuring the contract of Khalil Mack.
The Mack restructure is interesting in that it seemed like the Pro Bowl EDGE rusher was as good as gone. It also came amid continued rumors that star pass rusher Joey Bosa could have played his last snap in a Chargers uniform.
Bosa, 28, has played in a combined 14 games over the past two seasons. He’s also set to count a whopping $36.61 million against the cap in 2024. A total of $7 million of that becomes fully guaranteed on Friday, meaning that something has to happen between now and then.
We’re now hearing more on the Bosa situation and whether the Chargers will release or trade the four-time Pro Bowl performer.
Related: 2024 Los Angeles Chargers Free Agency Tracker
San Francisco 49ers Remain Interested In Los Angeles Chargers Star Joey Bosa
Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Thursday that the defending NFC Champions view Bosa as an “enticing” option should he be released by the Chargers or a trade favorable to the team were to come to fruition. Primarily, Silver points to Bosa’s contract situation.
Silver is as looped in as anyone related to the 49ers. So, this report should not come with a grain of salt. It also comes after Los Angeles Chargers insider Daniel Popper of The Athletic linked San Francisco to Bosa.
“I wouldn’t rule it out,” Popper said about Bosa potentially moving on to the 49ers. “At the end of the day, Joey Bosa he’s been pretty public about the fact that he’s always wanted to play with his brother. Bosa has a base salary of $15 million this year, $17 million next year. I’m not super fluent in the Niners’ cap situation, but that’s what you would be taking on for you know, 24 and 25. So, we’ll see. I think the Chargers should at least listen. And if they’re listening then I think there are a number of places that makes sense for Joey Bosa.”
Nick and Joey Bosa have talked a lot about potentially teaming up with one another. It could very well be the right time for that to happen if the Chargers can get something of substance in return for the injury-plagued EDGE rusher.
As for the Chargers’ financial ramifications, releasing Bosa before June 1 would come with a $14.39 million cap savings. Los Angeles would also incur a dead cap hit of $22.23 million. The same thing can be said about a trade.
If the Chargers were to designate Bosa a post-June 1 cut, it would save them $22 million against the cap. However, Hortiz and Co. likely want to be players in the second wave of NFL free agency. At the very least, to get new head coach Jim Harbaugh some of his guys. That $22 million in savings wouldn’t become available until June.