Chargers face cutting veterans to create more salary cap space

One way to predict where free agents will sign is by examining players’ social media pages as the NFL’s legal tampering period begins on March 15. But a better way is to outline their connections with the coaching staff.

Many are linking Rams safety and soon-to-be free agent John Johnson to the Chargers because he had a career year with Brandon Staley, who became the Chargers’ head coach in January after one season as the Rams’ defensive coordinator.

Another way of making freeagency predictions is by looking at position needs. The Chargers need to get better on the offensive line and that’s why many pundits have them signing center Corey Linsley if the Green Bay Packers don’t retain him.

The Chargers are well positioned to chase those top free agents, but if they also want to keep some of their in-house free agents, like tight end Hunter Henry, cornerback Michael Davis, safety Rayshawn Jenkins and defensive end Melvin Ingram, they will need to release a few notable veterans to create more cap space.

The Chargers aren’t scrambling to get under the projected $180 million salary cap floor, but as general manager Tom Telesco mentioned last week, their cap space can quickly evaporate. As of Tuesday, the Chargers have a projected $24.66 million in cap space, eighth most in the NFL, according to OvertheCap.com.

“Your cap number may look good, but once you take out restricted freeagent tenders, exclusive rights minimum qualifying offers, your draft picks, your practice squad next year — which could be 12 players, could be 14, could be 16 — your in-season budget, then even our own guys that we would like to re-sign, that doesn’t leave a whole lot of wiggle room,” Telesco said. “However, we’re in a better position than most right now. So, I’m not going to complain about that. It’s a fluid situation, basically on a day-to-day basis right now.”

With a new coaching staff looking for scheme fits and multiple position needs, Telesco will likely be faced with tough cap-related decisions before the free agency frenzy.

If the Chargers want to be big spenders, here are four veterans who could be released with no guaranteed money left on their contracts:

(All salary and cap numbers are from Overthecap.com)