Linebacker Drue Tranquill, a fourth-round pick of the Chargers in 2019, became a free agent in March, and he made the jump to a division rival.
Appearing Thursday on NFL Network’s Total Access, Tranquill explained the extent to which Chiefs coach Andy Reid got directly involved in recruiting Tranquill.
“I was really honored by the way the Chiefs pursued me, all the way from the front office down to the coaching staff,” Tranquill said, via NFL.com. “Andy Reid literally texted me the morning of [when] I was going to make my decision and he was like, ‘Think red. Think red. Think Super Bowls .’ I just felt really valued over there, felt like they really had a role for me and really wanted me over there.”
Tranquill shouldn’t have needed to hear it from Reid. Tranquill has lived it. In his four years with the Chargers, he saw the Chiefs go to three Super Bowls. Now that he’s with the Chiefs, he could end up personally experiencing a championship game, as soon as this year.
Given that he only signed a one-year contract, this might be the only year he thinks red. And in turn it might be the only year he thinks Super Bowl.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson have gotten new contracts this offseason. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow have not.
Is Burrow waiting for Herbert to do his deal before Burrow does his? Paul Dehner, Jr. of TheAthletic.com believes that’s one of the factors delaying Burrow’s deal.
Frankly, it shouldn’t be. Burrow and Herbert occupy different planes. Herbert is irrelevant to Burrow. The only reason for Burrow to wait would be to see whether Herbert gets more than expected, which would raise the floor considerably for Burrow.
If Burrow goes first, it’s hard to imagine Herbert getting as much or more. Frankly, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the Chargers wait a year to do Herbert’s deal. He doesn’t seem to be wired to whine about it, and the Chargers could be inclined to take advantage of one more relatively low-cost year under Herbert’s rookie deal before paying him. Especially if Herbert isn’t inclined to complain.
Regardless, Burrow should break the bank sooner than later — and then some. He should have a compensation package tied to a percentage of the salary cap. Actually, he should get whatever he wants. He has transformed a Bengals team that, without him, was the gang that couldn’t shoot straight. If he ever leaves, they could go back to being what they were before they stunk badly enough in 2019 to get him.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert tried 68 passes of 20-plus yards during the 2022 season and it helps to have big receivers who can win battles with defensive backs when you uncork deep shots.
The Chargers were well-stocked with receivers who fit the bill last year and they added to that strength in the first round of this year’s draft. Rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston is 6'4", which is the same height as Mike Williams and the two wideouts are expected to join the 6'2" Keenan Allen as the lead wideouts. Keelan Doss is 6'3" while Jalen Guyton and Joshua Palmer are both listed at 6'1".
In addition to the wideouts, the Chargers have 6'8" Donald Parham fronting a tight end group where everyone else is at least 6'3". During an appearance on The Season with Peter Schrager, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said the team will be taking advantage of that size come the fall.
“Having versatility on the offense, which I think we’re really, really excited about being able to use guys in different positions ,” Moore said. “Align them in different ways and utilize all that. We like to say we’ve got so much height on this team, we’re going to be throwing in a different jet stream. These guys . . . it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
Moore said that having a decision-maker like Herbert along with a big receiving corps means that the Chargers will be able to “aggressively take what [opposing defenses] give us” and the hope is that the results will push the Chargers even deeper into the postseason this time around.
The Jets will be the first team to hit camp as their veterans report on July 19. The Browns will get underway two days later and the two teams will play each other in the Hall of Fame Game on August 3.
The Chiefs and Lions are the next to get underway as they will play in the first game of the regular season. The dates for rookies and veterans to report to camp for every team can be found below.
Cardinals: Rookies and Veterans 7/25
Falcons: Rookies 7/18, Veterans 7/25
Ravens: Rookies 7/18, Veterans 7/25
Bills: Rookies 7/18, Veterans 7/25
Panthers: Rookies 7/22, Veterans 7/25
Bears: Rookies 7/22, Veterans 7/25
Bengals: Rookies 7/22, Veterans 7/25
Browns: Rookies 7/19, Veterans 7/21
Cowboys: Rookies and Veterans 7/25
Broncos: Rookies 7/19, Veterans 7/25
Lions: Rookies 7/19, Veterans 7/22
Packers: Rookies 7/21, Veterans 7/25
Texans: Rookies and Veterans 7/25
Colts: Rookies and Veterans 7/26
Jaguars: Rookies 7/21, Veterans 7/25
Chiefs: Rookies 7/18, Veterans 7/22
Raiders: Rookies 7/20, Veterans 7/25
Chargers: Rookies 7/18, Veterans 7/25
Rams: Rookies and Veterans 7/25
Dolphins: Rookies 7/18, Veterans 7/25
Vikings: Rookies 7/23, Veterans 7/25
Patriots: Rookies 7/21, Veterans 7/25
Saints: Rookies 7/18, Veterans 7/25
Giants: Rookies 7/18, Veterans 7/25
Jets: Rookies and Veterans 7/19
Eagles: Rookies and Veterans 7/25
Steelers: Rookies and Veterans 7/26
49ers: Rookies 7/18, Veterans 7/25
Seahawks: Rookies and Veterans 7/25
Buccaneers: Rookies 7/24, Veterans 7/25
Titans: Rookies 7/22, Veterans 7/25
Commanders: Rookies 7/21, Veterans 7/25
The Chargers have their entire draft class under contract.
Second-round pick Tuli Tuipulotu was the only remaining unsigned player when Monday began, but the team announced on Monday afternoon that the edge rusher has signed his first NFL deal. It’s a four-year contract for Tuipulotu.
Tuipulotu followed the path from USC to the NFL that was previously traveled by his brother Marlon and cousins Talanoa Hufanga and Fili Moala. He spent three seasons with the Trojans and finished his time at the school by being named an All-American after the 2022 season.
Tuipulotu had 46 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his final collegiate season. He joins the likes of Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Chris Rumph as options off the edge for the Chargers.