========”CHARGERS-VS-NFL FREE AGENCY”
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The Bolts, under the new leadership of GM-Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh had a somewhat successful season, that led to a playoff game, even if it was a bad playoff loss.

That vaulted them into the off season with a flurry of optimism the franchise would be able to take another step forward to put more quality players around star QB-Justin Herbert.

2-days into free agency, it has not happened, and over 110-players have come off the board, changing teams.

A brief scorecard for what has happened this week.

The Chargers re-signed star LB-Khalil Mack to a 1-year deal worth (18M).  They did not let him get onto the open market and there were rumors the Bears wanted to bring him back.  They are closer to winning in LA, than they are at Soldier Field.

They released DE-Joey Bosa, whose career has been wrapped around alot of QB sacks and alot of injuries.  They were never going to pay him (26M) in the future, and had to get out from under the (36M) cap figure.  But maybe they could have offered him (10M) and incentives and kept him for another year, much like the discount Mack took.

They did not and now they have a hole at the pass rush side.

That decision was followed by defections, and these have created problems.

They lost DT-Poona Ford, coming off a pretty impressive season of play inside, stuffing the run and making tackles for losses.  He will play for the other team at So Fi Stadium, the Rams, for 10M a year.  Pricey yes, but now you have to spend to get probably a lesser player.  Those wide-body guys are few and far between.

They also lost CB-Kristain Fulton, who had a solid season till he tailed off at the end of the campaign.  He took his talents, speed and flair to the Kansas City Chiefs.  A veteran leaves the team with alot of young kids in the secondary.  Another blow.

They did replace Fulton with Donte Jackson, who started with the Steelers and Carolina before that, but Mike Tomlin let him walk in Pittsburgh.  Does not sound to be the equal of Fulton.

The Bolts added tough guy RB-Najee Harris, a plugger-banger-grinder, who had 4-straight thousand yard seasons in Pittsburgh.  An upgrade over the just released-often injured Gus Edwarfds.  That is a plus.  But the problems with run blocking upfront don’t guarantee Harris will do great things here if the status quo in the front remains.

The interior of the offensive line needs help, but that did not happen either.  They lost out on the bidding for Falcons OC-Drew Dallman, who went to the Bears, and Pro Bowl OC-Ryan Kelly, who bailed out on the Colts to sign with the Vikings.  Instead Hortiz re-signed the lowest rated OC-Brad Bozeman to a 2-year deal to return.  Not sure how that improves the guys infront of Justin Herbert unless they move Zion Johnson from guard to center.

And a team weak spot got weaker in the first 48-hours of free agency, as WR-Josh Palmer left, signing a multi deal to catch passes from Josh Allen-the NFL-MVP in Buffalo.  Granted Palmer has been on and off the field over the last couple of years with injuries, but he made as many big plays-tough plays as Quinton Johnston.  They are really weaker at that wideout slot now.

And there is no DK Metcalf or Davante Adams or DeAndre Hopkins,  to go get at this hour at wide receiver.  Cooper Kupp is still out there though, likely to be a Rams release.

So as we head to Day 3-of Free Agency, are the Bolts better or worse?  They can tell people they still have 93M-cap space, but with 117-players already off the board , what are they getting from what is still on the board?

NFL Free Agency beating the Chargers GM right now.  And that really surprises me.

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