Chargers free-agent pitch adds $11 million castoff to upgrade pass rush

The Los Angeles Chargers managed to retain edge rusher Khalil Mack in free agency, but the group saw a significant subtraction after the team cut Joey Bosa.

Los Angeles still sports a solid trio along the edge in Mack, Bud Dupree and Tuli Tuipulotu, but the team could still be eyeing an addition in free agency to make up for the loss of Bosa.

If that turns out to be the case, Last Word on Sports' Anthony Palacios thinks the team could make a play for former Detroit Lions edge rusher, Za'Darius Smith.

"With Joey Bosa in Buffalo, the Chargers have plenty of room for improvement," he wrote. "Los Angeles could consider signing Smith for immediate relief, as no matter where he goes, he never fails to make an impact. This could be Mack’s last season in the league, so they should get the best out of him, and pairing him with Smith might be what’s best for this pass-rushing unit."

Smith spent the 2024 campaign with two teams. He began the year with the Cleveland Browns but was traded to the Lions at the deadline. Smith is long in the tooth at 32 (33 in September), but showed he still has plenty left in the tank after totaling nine sacks.

Despite the fact that he was set to make a reasonable salary of $11 million or so, the Lions decided to part ways with Smith, with general manager Brad Holmes revealing the team simply couldn't afford to keep him.

"It was an amicable decision," Holmes said. "We couldn't afford it is the bottom line... That was my communication with him and he understood that."

Smith would be a more than adequate replacement for Bosa and may even provide an upgrade. The Kentucky product has never had issues with availability like Bosa has, either, and he can kick inside in obvious passing situations to give the Chargers a more formidable pass-rush.

Smith will likely garner $10 million or so on a one-year deal. The Chargers are well-equipped to afford that, with Los Angeles sporting $30.8 million in cap space, per Over The Cap.

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