Chargers GM Tom Telesco: Keenan Allen ‘is not going wherever’
In January, Tom Telesco stated he had little interest in parting methods with vast receiver Keenan Allen because the Chargers work to turn into wage cap compliant.
The normal supervisor reiterated that opinion Wednesday on the NFL mix because the workforce stays greater than $20 million over the cap.
“Keenan Allen isn’t going anywhere,” Telesco stated, squelching hypothesis that chopping the veteran vast receiver is an choice being thought-about.
NFL groups have till the brand new league 12 months begins March 15 to get below the cap. The Chargers are one in every of 13 groups that also must make strikes to align with the league’s monetary parameters for the 2023 season.
They are anticipated to take action with out having to launch any of their biggest-name gamers.
A 3rd-round draft decide in 2013, Allen has spent a decade with the Chargers and trails solely Antonio Gates in a number of of the franchise’s all-time receiving classes.
Appearing on the NFL Network earlier Wednesday, Telesco in contrast Allen to Hall of Fame wideouts Andre Reed and Charlie Joiner.
“He’s an incredible football player,” Telesco stated. “We have a great quarterback. We need weapons around him.”
Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer give quarterback Justin Herbert a trio of productive vast receivers. The Chargers have completed sixth, second and third in passing yards in Herbert’s first three seasons.
Chargers normal supervisor Tom Telesco desires to maintain his costly stars, who’re distinction makers.
(Associated Press)
I might quite have plenty of good gamers on our roster than plenty of cap house.
— GM Tom Telesco, on wanting to maintain Keenan Allen and different Chargers stars
Allen has two years remaining on his newest contract extension, with wage cap hits of $21.7 million in 2023 and $25.8 million in 2024, in keeping with overthecap.com.
The concept of chopping him surfaced in January following the Chargers’ loss within the AFC wild-card spherical at Jacksonville. During his after-season information convention, Telesco stated he felt no temptation to launch Allen for monetary causes.
“Good players make money,” he defined then, “and I would rather have a lot of good players on our roster than a lot of cap space.”
The Chargers can have a brand new offensive coordinator in 2023, with Kellen Moore changing Joe Lombardi, who was fired after the season. Under Moore, the Chargers will likely be seeking to enhance their creativity total and effectiveness operating the ball.
He would be the third offensive coordinator for Herbert in 4 years with the workforce, a sample of instability that extends again via Herbert’s time in school at Oregon.
“Justin’s really bright,” Telesco stated on the NFL Network. ”So I’m not nervous about that.”
Herbert is also coming off surgical procedure on his non-throwing shoulder, an harm that didn’t value him any sport time. Though the state of affairs just isn’t thought-about critical, the Chargers have but to place a timeline on Herbert’s availability for offseason exercises.
Without making any important cuts, Telesco and the Chargers might want to manipulate some current contracts to free wage cap house. Edge rusher Joey Bosa’s deal is one which might be restructured.
Among the gamers who might be wage cap casualties, left guard Matt Feiler seems to be the most definitely. That transfer would save $6.5 million, in keeping with overthecap.com, and open a possible beginning spot for Jamaree Salyer.
After they turn into cap compliant, the Chargers gained’t be in a monetary place to pursue any big-ticket free brokers as they did final offseason.
They even have a number of important inner free brokers and might be left counting on youthful gamers to fill the gaps subsequent season due to restricted spending capability.
Depth has been a difficulty with this franchise’s rosters in latest seasons and once more might be a priority primarily based on how the following a number of weeks unfold. The free-agent negotiating interval opens March 13, with gamers eligible to start out signing offers two days later.
How the markets arrange for gamers reminiscent of proper deal with Trey Pipkins III and linebacker Drue Tranquill will assist decide the Chargers’ skill to re-sign any of their free brokers.
Their group of unrestricted free brokers additionally contains cornerback Bryce Callahan, security Nasir Adderley, defensive lineman Morgan Fox, linebacker Kyle Van Noy and vast receiver/kick returner DeAndre Carter.