Chargers News: Bolts May Have Some Competition To Bring Back Key Defensive Free Agent
This free-agent period will not be easy for the Los Angeles Chargers. The Bolts have roughly 20 pending free agents this offseason, and the odds of bringing most of them back are not high. The front office will prioritize some more than others, and their four-year safety Alohi Gilman could be a part of their plans moving forward.
Now, it's not a guarantee he will be a priority for Los Angeles, but according to Khris Rhim of ESPN, some teams have Gilman on their radar.
Gilman was a popular name at the NFL combine, with multiple league sources pointing to his fearlessness at hitting opposing players. The Chargers will likely have competition if they want to bring Gilman back.
Gilman, 26, is coming off his most productive season as a pro. He posted career highs in various categories, including total tackles, tackles for loss, forced fumbles, and interceptions.
It seems like his stock rose after his incredible season in 2023. Although the Bolts' defense was nothing to rave about, Gilman did his part alongside superstar safety Derwin James Jr.
Although teams are clamoring for Gilman, letting him walk for a cheaper alternative may be best. I wrote a while back that the best move for the Chargers may be to let him walk despite his outstanding play. It'll be better for the Chargers front office to let him walk and draft a safety to replace him to start the salary clock again.
Gilman will be among several Chargers starters heading into the offseason as unrestricted free agents. The new coaching staff's approach to retaining these players remains uncertain, especially given the challenging salary-cap circumstances.
This draft is loaded with talent in many positions, and if the Chargers draft right, they could land on a premier player. The odds of that happening are not great, but going young would be best for Bolts.
