Chargers Miss Out on Free Agent WR Because of NFL Technicality

Last week, it was reported that the Los Angeles Chargers were interested in claiming wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers. The 28-year-old WR was waived by the Baltimore Ravens after only appearing in four games and making one catch with the franchise after he was acquired at the trade deadline. On Monday, it was revealed that the Chargers lost their waiver bid because of an NFL technicality.

The Houston Texans won the waiver claim and signed the former Pro Bowler. It was revealed that the Chargers were the other team to show interest. On waiver claims, the team with the worse record gets priority. In this case, the Chargers and the Texans both had a 9-6 record. So, per Chargers insider Daniel Popper, the tiebreaker was the cumulative record of each team's opponents. Since Houston's opponents had a lower winning percentage, they were considered the weaker team, thus getting Johnson.

Chargers Lose Diontae Johnson Sweepstakes to the Texans

This is a disappointing way to lose out on a player who could have been a part of the rotation in the final stretch of the season and the playoffs. Johnson's tenure in Baltimore didn't go according to the plan, but he was a valuable contributor in Carolina in the first half of the season. In seven games with the Panthers, Johnson had 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns. If he can go back to that level, he could make an impact on any playoff team.

The Chargers will continue to rely on rookie standout Ladd McConkey and the Joshua Palmer-Quentin Johnston duo in their wide receiver rotation. It is not the most elite WR room in the league, but the Chargers rely on their elite defense to find success anyway.

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