Chargers save $40M in cap space with reworked deals

COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers solved their salary cap problems without having to release any heavy-hitting playmakers before the new league year that begins Wednesday, allowing them to keep together the pillars of a roster the organization hopes can challenge in the AFC West and make a deep playoff run.

The Chargers entered the offseason $20.5 million over the salary cap, raising uncertainty over whether their core group of players — who clinched their first playoff berth since 2018 before suffering a historic 31-30 wild-card loss in Jacksonville Jaguars — remain intact.

But the Bolts changed the edge rushers’ contracts Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williamsa league source told ESPN’s Field Yates, which creates a combined $40.37 million in salary cap space and allows the team to become salary cap compliant with $19 million in cap space before Wednesday’s deadline.

Reworking the Bosa and Mack deals created $25.99 million, while reworking the Allen and Williams deals earlier this week created $14.37 million in cap space. Despite the team’s cap compliance, a roster move remains a possibility as the Chargers prepare to fill needs in free agency.

The Bolts are not expected to remain the starting safety Nasir Adderley and linebacker Drew Tranquillwho are both scheduled for free agency, but are expected to try to re-sign at right tackle Trey Pipkins III.

The Chargers are also on the clock to sign Justin Herbert in a blockbuster deal, with the quarterback now eligible for an extension as he prepares for the fourth season of a five-year rookie deal.