Chargers GM Hortiz hints at absorbing Lawrence's contract, but Cincinnati swoops in, leaving LA with cap space and needs.
In recent days/weeks/months, I have loudly complained about the Los Angeles Chargers' stubborn refusal to do anything with their salary cap space.
Free agency isn't over, but many of the big-money players have already been signed. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz says he doesn't like buying players in the free agent market anyway, he prefers to draft them and then extend them later (assuming he still has his job by then).
Still, at a press conference earlier this week, Hortiz dropped some hints that the team could use its salary cap space to absorb Dexter Lawrence's contract after the Pro Bowl defensive lineman had requested a trade away from the New York Giants, who are not able to improve or extend his contract.
Well, that option is now off the table after Lawrence was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday:
In reality, that's more draft capital than the Chargers could've given them, so good on the Giants for getting something out of the deal while holding zero leverage.
For the Chargers, I suppose they can hang the banner for heading into the season with nearly $50M in cap space remaining.....although I am sure they'll find ways to spend some of that money between now and then.
Despite what Hortiz said at the press conference, I still believe the team is at least involve in some trade talks that would send Quentin Johnston to another team and maybe bring a more accomplished WR to Los Angeles (the targets I've been focused on have been Eagles WR A.J. Brown, Cowboys WR George Pickens & Bengals WR Tee Higgins). That would be one way to spend some of that money.
Another way would be at cornerback, which Hortiz said at the press conference the team is looking to improve. Mashon Lattimore is available and, after a couple years of not fitting in well in Washington, seems to be searching for the right situation for himself. Trevon Diggs, who has never really found his old form (11 interceptions in 2021!) following knee injuries in 2023 and 2024, also feels like an option. Both of these guys could easily be on the downside of their careers.
Still, I think Chargers fans were hoping that the team would be heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with one less need than they currently have.
As it currently stands, Joe Hortiz has five draft picks in the upcoming draft and has publicly declared the team's desire to improve at:
- Offensive line - Guard
- Interior defensive line
- Edge rusher
- Cornerback
- Wide Receiver
Even if the picks were to align perfectly, expecting a 6th round selection to be able to fill the gaps and bolster the team in their rookie season would be a monumental ask.
You would think the warm seat underneath Hortiz would be enough to convince him to use the team's remaining cap space as a weapon to gain ground on the rest of the championship contenders.
Instead, it appears Hortiz is happier to go into the 2026 NFL season with some holes on his roster and some cap space to burn. If the team ends up with another quick flameout in the playoffs, we'll know who to blame.