Frustrating Reason Chargers Won’t Make Another Big Signing

It’s not an exaggeration to say the compensatory pick formula ruled over free agency for the Chargers. 

The proof is right there: 

• Tyler Biadasz was cut and didn’t count in the formula
• The Chargers lost a trio of qualifying free agents, but only signed two that impact it: Charlie Kolar and Cole Strange. 
• Alec Ingold was cut and doesn’t count
• Keaton Mitchell doesn't count because Baltimore didn’t tender him
• Dalvin Tomlinson was cut and doesn’t count

Right now, the Chargers are in line for a third-round comp pick, as explained by Daniel Popper of The Athletic:

“Kolar and Strange cancel out Johnson and St-Juste in the current formula, according to Over the Cap. That leaves Oweh, who could potentially net the Chargers a 2027 third-round pick. If the Chargers were to sign another qualifying free agent, that would cancel out Oweh. Meanwhile, if an additional free agent who left the Chargers factors into the formula, that could net Los Angeles a fourth-round pick for Johnson.”

It all adds up to the Chargers surely refusing to do another notable deal in free agency.

Every analyst out there will wax poetic right now about how great the 2027 NFL draft class is and how stockpiling picks could be wise.

But wiser? Going all-in around Justin Herbert while he has Mike McDaniel calling the shots. Not limping to the NFL draft technically needing two high-quality starting guards still.

If there’s a notable player cut or someone up for trade that they like, perhaps the Chargers can still make meaningful improvements. But the almost strange adherence to the comp pick formula that kept the Chargers away from guaranteed improvements is, despite seemingly a safe way to build a roster, quite risky instead.