Official Chargers Blog

In this era of free agency it is difficult to keep continuity. This season’s free agency period saw veteran players on the downside of their careers command money that would make a sheik blush. As an example, the Chargers needed help at left tackle. It has been obvious for sometime that Leander Jordon is not starter material. There were two decent free agent tackles available, Tom Ashworth, formerly with the Patriots, and Jason Fabini with the Jets. The 28 year-old Ashworth received a deal from Seattle worth 13 Million and 4.5 million in his first year with bonuses. This is as a backup to Walter Jones at left tackle. Jason Fabini is 32 years old and could cost the Cowboys 4.5 to 7 million for a guy now listed #3 on the depth chart.

The Chargers have signed center Nick Hardwick to a 17 million dollar contract, but that is chump change next to what two free-agent centers signed for this offseason. LeCharles Bentley left the Saints to sign with the Browns for an astounding 36 million dollars with 12.5 million guaranteed. During the first practice scrimmage with the Browns, Bentley suffered a torn patella, and as the Browns have come to expect from their newly signed players, will sit out the entire season.

Cornerback Quentin Jammer was recently signed to an extension good for 30 million, including 13.5 million in bonuses. Jammer is a big, physical corner, and with the trend toward bigger receivers in the NFL it was important to lock him up long term. Ty Law was signed to a 30 million dollar deal, but at 32 years of age, chances are slim that he will be able to produce at a high level throughout his contract.

The Chargers have been working hard to lock up these outstanding players on the rise because they will become very expensive to replace in free agency over the next few years. The cap increased this year by about 10 million dollars, making it a good time to get these deals done. The following players are signed for at least the next three seasons:

The Charger’s front office has been doing a great job of getting top quality guys on this team, and tying them up for the long run. They are focusing on over-achievers that work hard and sacrifice to get what they want. These are the kind of gritty players you want when your team is behind in the final minutes of a conference championship game.

The work is still ongoing. There are a few key players that still need to be extended. They are:

Donnie Edwards will likely be traded before the deadline or will take advantage of his free agent status next season. Randall Godfrey is expected to retire.

The team needs to find a way to get the rest of these players locked up soon. Negotiations are likely in the works already.

Teams as deep as the Chargers face a tough challenge when extending gifted backup players. Running back Michael Turner and linebacker Shaun Phillips are both special talents that could likely start on a number of teams in the NFL.

They both will have a tough decision to make. Is the priority to get a big payday from a team rebuilding or retooling, or is it to make darned good money on what will soon be a perennial championship team -- built to last.