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12 Chargers Who Won't Return Next Season

Jim Harbaugh is ushering in an era of change for the Chargers, and that will start with bidding farewell to plenty of familiar faces.

By Jason Schandl

Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30)
Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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2. Mike Williams

If the Chargers can trade Mike Williams, great. if they can't he's a cut candidate.

Heading into the final year of the $60 million contract extension he signed back in 2022, Williams carries a cap hit of $32.5 million for 2024. Only Keenan Allen ($34.7), Joey Bosa ($36.6) and Khalil Mack ($38.5) will count for more against the cap.

And considering he's trying to come back from an ACL tear, that number is simply untenable.

Even a prime Mike Williams may not be worth a $34 million cap hit, considering he's never even hit 1,200 yards in a single season. But now we have him trying to come back from a devastating injury?

That's almost always going to at least take some time to ease back into action from, and considering he'll be a free agent in 2025 if he does make a full recovery anyway, there's no reason to pay him $34 million to work up to speed.

That's harsh, but the business side of football is harsh.

The Chargers will take on $12.46 million of dead cap should they cut or trade him, but that means either move would still free up $20 million. It's a no-brainer.

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