NFL rumors: Chargers tipped to cut superstar WR, leaving major hole on offense

The Los Angeles Chargers will begin their off-season by trying to get under the cap before the start of free agency in early March.

The team is currently $23.4 million over the cap, as many teams are currently over the cap. They'll have to make some business decisions, including re-working contracts, asking for players/working with them on taking pay cuts, potential trades, and the most unfortunate circumstances, cutting some players.

Daniel Popper, staff writer for the Los Angeles Chargers, wrote in an article on The Athletic that he thinks the two most likely players to be cut as cap casualties for the Chargers will be this off-season.

Popper believes the two most likely cuts this off-season will be star wide receiver Keenan Allen and starting tight end Gerald Everett. If the team cuts both players, they would save a total of $19.05 million towards the cap this season. Allen accounts for $14.8 million as Everett accounts for $4.25 million.

Other potential cap casualty cuts could be edge rusher Khalil Mack ($18.4 million) cornerback Michael Davis ($7.4 million) left guard Matt Feiler ($6.5 million) and center Corey Linsley ($5.3 million).

Both Allen and Everett are two productive weapons for quarterback Justin Herbert.

If the team were to move on from both of them, Herbert's numbers could suffer next season if they don't find cheaper replacements that can produce at their levels.

Everett had arguably the best season of his career as he set career-highs in receptions (58) and yards (555) and tied for the most touchdowns in a single-season with four.

Allen is one of the greatest wideouts in Chargers' history. He's played 10 seasons with the team and has recorded 9,287 yards, 796 receptions and 52 touchdowns.

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Los Angeles Chargers will enter 2023 with new offensive coordinator for QB Justin Herbert

Houston Texans v Dallas Cowboys

The Los Angeles Chargers made a big move on the offensive side of the ball before free agency started.

They fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi after one season with the team and replaced him with former Dallas Cowboys OC, Kellen Moore. This came after the team had a meltdown in the AFC divisional round, losing to the Jaguars, 31-30 after a 27-0 lead.

The development transpired 24 hours after the team and Moore mutually agreed to part ways. Moore has been Dallas' OC since 2019-2022 and will get his second stint as an OC with the franchise and Justin Herbert.