Will Dissly is looking like a candidate to get cut following a career year with his worst season. How did we get to this point?
With the Chargers looking to scramble for cap space, underperforming players are all at risk of being cut. Will Dissly is coming off a year where he had 97 yards for the entire season. He seems like a significant cut candidate. A Chargers career that started so well turned sour. This is how we got to this point following a new contract and career year in 2024.
It's an understatement to say the numbers were discouraging for Dissly this season. 9 games, 16 targets, 11 catches were the disappointing stats. He had been a solid contributor throughout his career, including his first campaign in Los Angeles. That was actually the best season of his career as he posted 50 catches and 481 yards. In his breakout year, he had over 300 yards after the catch. This ranked tenth among all tight ends.
A big, reliable tight end is a useful weapon in any team’s passing attack. While standing 6'4 and 265 pounds, Dissly was neither productive nor available this past season. Nagging knee and shoulder injuries kept him out of the lineup as well. This year was his first in the NFL without scoring a touchdown. And it might be his last one as a Charger.
By parting ways with him, the team can save 4 million dollars in cap space. If they move quickly and do so before March 1st, they can save an additional million in roster bonuses. Then they can focus on new players who can thrive in Mike McDaniel's offense. They can even continue to develop players from within their ranks, like Oronde Gadsden II. The rookie is coming off a season with 49 catches for 664 yards and 3 touchdowns. His best game of the season was 7 catches for 164 yards in week 7 versus the Colts. He added 3 catches for 30 yards in the postseason, which isn't insignificant considering Justin Herbert had under 170 yards passing total.
Whoever the team settles on, they can count on better than 97 yards for the season. So Dissly, who seemed to be a steal coming from Seattle, is now looking like one of the most likely cap casualties to end up off the team in 2026.
Even if he could regain his form, it appears the opportunity to contribute to the Chargers' offense passed him by. He'll go down as a big "what if" should the team move on from him.