Jim Harbaugh Urged to Rip $36 Million Worth Band-Aid off Amid Chargers’ Massive Cap Space Conundrum

Jim Harbaugh’s hiring as head coach has triggered a wave of franchise overhaul. While the staff members are sorted, the roster remains unchanged. While Harbaugh has voiced out his interest in hiring Saquon Barkley, he is falling short on funds. As a repercussion of their extensive hiring, the franchise is well over its salary cap. So much so, that they are expected to be $55.391 million over the cap when factoring in the space they will need to sign their draft class and reach the minimum of 51 rostered players, per the Athletic.

Among this $55.39 million, $45.806 million over the cap funds are for the four veteran Chargers players. Tom Telesco, former Chargers general manager, restructured the contracts of Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams last season, making each of them overdue for large sums this season. Joey Bosa is due $25.36M, edge rusher Khalil Mack for $38.517 million, receiver Keenan Allen for $34.717 million, and receiver Mike Williams for $32.46 million. Hence, the most possible option that Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz would be left with would be to let one, some, or all of these veteran players go.

Per several reports, the Chargers are expected to let their star player, Joey Bosa, go. Daniel Popper believes that ‘Joey Bosa would net the biggest return on the trade market’. However, Bosa’s injuries would be his biggest detractor for his value in the trade market. In 2022, the DE hardly got to play due to his battle with a groin tear. 2023 brought a similar fate as he struggled with hamstring and toe injuries, along with a foot sprain. Yet, he will earn the best return among the four, as the Chargers would simply avoid taking massive cap hits of $22 million in 2024 and $25.36 million in 2025, per Popper.

This, paired with the age group Bosa and Mack would be entering, 29 and 33 respectively, suggests them being the hot targets of the franchise. Among all these, who stands a chance of being on the roster?

Does Morgan Fox stand a chance?

Even NFL Draft Bite suggests that Bosa, along with Khalil Mack, and Morgan Fox would be notable players available via the trade market. Moreover, the team is expected to retain Dervin James and restructure the contract, per the same report. However, Jim Harbaugh and Co. are much more likely to hire young players like Fox because of several reasons. The most notable one being Harbaugh’s preference for hiring younger players.

READ ALSO: Chargers Trade Rumors: Jim Harbaugh & Co’s $45 Million Restriction Set to Trigger Massive Contract Decisions

Followed by the massive differences in salary caps. Per a report by Bolt Beat, players like Morgan Fox cost 8 times less than virtuoso players like Mack, freeing up good cap space for the franchise to make further roster modifications. Hence, Jim Harbaugh ripping off the $36 million worth of band-aid would not come as a surprise to fans.

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