The Los Angeles Chargers made the necessary cuts to trim the roster to 53 players. Here are some thoughts on the moves they made.
If you’re looking for the full 53-man roster (for now) of the Los Angeles Chargers, here it is at Chargers.com.
There aren’t too many stunners, and those expected to be cut or kept were released or retained, respectively.
However, let’s dive a little deeper into some of the surprises and an outlook for the Chargers 53-man roster.
Surprise Moves
The Chargers decided to part ways with veteran center Spencer Pulley, who started all 16 games for the team in 2017. I’m not a fan of this move, and it’s a stunner considering how cheap he is, his versatility and his playing experience. Having brought in free agent Mike Pouncey, the Bolts were not expected to put Pulley in a starting position along the offensive line. Depth, especially on the O-line, is so important, though; why they decided to cut a capable reserve player is beyond me.
Although fans and pundits could envision a scenario where the Chargers kept three quarterbacks, no one expected the team to hold on to Cardale Jones following his atrocious preseason performance. I don’t understand what the coaching staff sees in him at this point.
Wide receiver Dylan Cantrell’s release was something I predicted after he was drafted, but for weeks into offseason workouts, I was almost wrong. Cantrell was the MVP of training camp to many, and was everything from a great ball-catcher to a possible tight end.
Unfortunately, his injury made him disposable, as well as the play of other receivers looking to make the team. It’s always a bit of a surprise to cut a player months after drafting them, but Cantrell just couldn’t hold onto his spot. Look for him to be a practice squad candidate.
Feel-good stories
Running back Detrez Newsome, cornerback Brandon Facyson and receiver/return man J.J. Jones made the roster as undrafted free agents, making it an unheard of 22 years in a row such a player has made the initial 53-man roster. I’m a little surprised they kept Jones considering his sudden lack of preseason involvement, but clearly they expect him to (for good reason) make an impact in the return game. All three deserve to make this roster.
I also have to give a little credit to quarterback Geno Smith, who is going to serve as the No. 2 behind Philip Rivers. Despite a lackluster start to his career and a slew of fans hating him before a single snap in blue and gold, Smith held his own and now gets to have the easiest job in the NFL. Good for him for making the roster.
What it means going forward
There’s a couple sneaky indicators of what’s to come for the Bolts:
- The Chargers only kept Virgil Green and Sean Culkin at tight end, and moved Hunter Henry to the Reserve-PUP list with his knee injury. I have to imagine the Bolts are about to address this position with waiver cuts, or could even be looking to add a certain Antonio Gates back into the mix.
- The team released a preseason standout in defensive tackle Steven Richardson, and aren’t any more improved than last year with the exact same interior trio returning. I don’t expect Telesco to be done here, and am now predicting that the addition of Johnathan Hankins will happen soon, barring a better/cheaper opportunity arising elsewhere with another roster cut.
We are now one weekend away from the start of the regular season, which feels fantastic to say with almost the entire Chargers’ roster healthy. The rookies looked outstanding, the 2017 draft class is showing its strengths. Bring on the Kansas City Chiefs.