Chargers News: LA Could Waive Former Top Draft Pick To Save Costs
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The NFL offseason is in full swing, and teams are already making moves to bolster their rosters for the 2024 season. Cuts and franchise tags are underway. NFL teams have some tough choices to make in the weeks to come, but no team may have it harder than your Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers are $35.5 million over next season's projected salary cap, per Over The Cap. However, there are plenty of moves to make to drop that number significantly, including making some tough cuts. One Bolts player who could fall victim is former first-round draft pick wide receiver Mike Williams.
Williams is a prime candidate to get cut this off-season. PFF's Brad Spielberger listed him as a 'cut candidate for all 32 NFL teams' in their latest column.
Salary Cap Details: $12,460,000 dead money, $20,000,000 cap savings
The Chargers have a strong case as the NFL team in the worst financial situation heading into the offseason, so several tough decisions await. An unfortunate ACL tear could push them to move on from wideout Mike Williams, a former top-10 pick, as he’s one of four players with a 2024 cap hit north of $30 million — none of whom are quarterback Justin Herbert.
If the Bolts decide to cut Williams, they could clear $20 million.
The Chargers aren't in the prettiest position at the moment, but a tough decision like this could put them on a better track. Cutting Williams won't be easy, though; he's been one of L.A.'s explosive weapons on offense and, at times, has looked like their best weapon in stretches.
However, the 29-year-old is injury-prone. Even before he tore his ACL in September 2023, he had already missed an extended period of time for various injuries. Whether it's his hamstring, back, or ankle, he's missed a lot of time, resulting in the Bolts dropping games. His presence is vital, but he's hardly around.
It won't be an easy decision to cut their former first-round pick, but it's the right decision that'll benefit the team moving forward.
