NFL Free Agency starts on March 9th, and the next few days will feature several San Diego Chargers rumors. While free agency doesn't officially start until Wednesday, the league has "legal tampering" days leading up to the start of the new team year, meaning teams can discuss contracts with any player - although a deal can't be signed until Wednesday. With that in mind, here are a few of the more interesting rumors and news tidbits on the Chargers.
San Diego re-signs OT Joe Barksdale
The Chargers re-signed offensive lineman Joe Barksdale to a four-year deal worth $22.2 million, making him the team's third-highest paid offensive lineman. He signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Chargers prior to the 2015 season.
Chargers unlikely to make big move in free agency
San Diego has over $30 million in cap space this offseason, but they're unlikely to make a big splash in free agency. ESPN's Eric D. Williams explains why:
San Diego Chargers general manager Tom Telesco's philosophy is to use free agency as a way to supplement his team’s roster while focusing on the draft to build the foundation.
So even though the Chargers have over $30 million in cap space, which puts them among the top half of teams in the NFL, don’t expect San Diego to make a big splash once free agency begins on Wednesday.
First, California has the highest state income tax in the country. That makes it hard for San Diego to compete with teams in states with no state income tax like Florida, Texas and Washington.
Add to that the fact that the Chargers are coming off a disappointing 4-12 campaign, have one of the worst stadiums situations in the league with a coach on a short leash in Mike McCoy and do not know where they will play in 2016, and you begin to understand why San Diego might not be on the short list of a potential free-agent prospect.
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