OFFENSIVE LINE RECEIVES BIG UPGRADE
The Chargers added two offensive linemen, lost one defensive back and retained another Monday on the first day of the NFL’s two-day “legal tampering” period when teams could reach out and start negotiating with unrestricted free agents.
The additions came at a most critical position for the team. The Chargers agreed to make Corey Linsley the highest-paid center in NFL history, according to multiple reports, and also reached a deal with Matt Feiler, who has played tackle and guard.
The reported deal with Linsley is for five years and worth up to $62.5 million. Feiler’s three-year deal is worth up to $21 million.
Linsley, who turns 30 in July, was an All-Pro last season with Green Bay. He spent seven years with the Packers, who drafted him in the fifth round out of Ohio State in 2014.
Dan Feeney, who started at center for the Chargers in 2020, is a free agent. He took over after Mike Pouncey was lost during training camp to a chronic hip injury that has since ended his career.
Linsley brings an anchor in the middle of the line that will be charged primarily with protecting quarterback Justin Herbert as he enters his second
season.
The Chargers struggled up front last season with inconsistency and injuries, their line play considered to be among the worst in the NFL.
Along with Feeney, left guard Forrest Lamp and left tackle Sam Tevi also are free agents.
The Chargers released right guard Trai Turner last week in a move to open more salary cap space.
That left veteran right tackle Bryan Bulaga as the only returning starter on the roster. Linsley and Bulaga were teammates in Green Bay
from 2014-19.
A starter since his rookie year, Linsley has appeared in 99 games. He didn’t miss a start from 2017-19 for the Packers.
He was the NFL’s No. 1 overall graded center last season, according to Pro Football Focus, ranking second in run blocking and fourth in pass blocking.
Feiler, who turns 29 in July, started at left guard last season, his third season as a starter.
CB Davis gets extension
The Chargers retained a key piece of their secondary, agreeing on a three-year contract extension with Michael Davis, according to reports.
The veteran cornerback was entering his first foray into free agency. His new deal guarantees him at least $15 million.
Davis, 26, joined the Chargers in 2017 after going undrafted out of BYU. He played mostly special teams as a rookie.
During his second season, Davis emerged as the starter and continued to develop in that role the last two seasons, intercepting five passes.
Jenkins to Jags
The Chargers lost starting safety Rayshawn Jenkins to Jacksonville. He reportedly agreed to a four-year free agent deal to join the Jaguars, who are undergoing a rebuild with new head coach Urban Meyer.
Jenkins was a starter the past two seasons after playing mostly special teams during his first two years in the NFL. The Chargers drafted him in the fourth round in 2017 out of Miami.
Jenkins started at free safety in 2019 and moved to strong safety last year after Derwin James suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp.