3 Chargers Who Should Be Cut Before Free Agency Opens

2. Mike Williams, WR

Los Angeles has several big-money veterans to make contract decisions on this offseason. Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Keenan Allen all have reasons that support getting their deals off of the books, but they also have value to both this team and in terms of trades, so a release is more of a last resort.

Mike Williams just doesn't carry the same appeal to outside teams.

While an incredible wideout who can make plays most WRs simply can't, staying on the field has been a struggle for the Clemson product. Chargers fans have had to hold their breath every time he goes up for a contested catch, and it's a regular occurrence to see him come up limping after one of these receptions.

After avoiding any major injuries, Williams was finally hit hard in 2023, as he suffered a torn ACL in LA's Week 3 matchup. That, of course, forced him to miss the rest of the season and now could negatively impact him when he does take the field again.

Whoever he does suit up for, it shouldn't be the Chargers. Williams carries a nearly $32.46 million cap hit for this upcoming year, but LA would incur a dead cap charge of just $12.46 million by cutting him before June 1.

That $20 million in cap savings would go a long way toward this Harbaugh-led rebuild, making a split very likely.