Chargers Lose Option to Pursue Star WR on Free Agent Market

The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to look to upgrade their wide receiver room this offseason, with new head coach Jim Harbaugh now in town. They still have Keenan Allen, who put up video-game numbers last season, but he isn't enough to get this team over the hump.

Mike Williams will be coming back from a torn ACL, but there have been reports that he may be released. They have second-year talent Quentin Johnston, but he struggled during his rookie season.

It has all led to speculation of an improvement, but they will have to look elsewhere than one of the better talents, who was supposed to hit the free agent market. Wide receiver Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals was expected to be a free agent, but the team has informed him that they will be hitting him with the franchise tag.

There was some thought that the Bolts could look into Higgins, even if his price tag likely would have exceeded their wallets. But Higgins could have formed a strong duo for quarterback Justin Herbert.

He has improved as a pass catcher each season that he's been in the NFL, and his length allows him to make contested catches over opponents. Los Angeles could always wait until next offseason to land Higgins or even trade for him now if they covet his skill set.

Harbaugh loves to have a dynamic passing attack within his offenses, so we could see Los Angeles pursue another top talent. Wide receiver isn't the most pressing need for this Chargers team, but it's something they need to address.

The team could also grab a receiver with their first-round pick at No. 5, giving them a cheaper option. The Bolts have options here, but there is still plenty of work to do before the season kicks off this fall.