Charger Report

Chargers 2026 Salary Cap Tracker: How Much Room Do They Have for Free Agency?

The Los Angeles Chargers have been one of the busier teams in recent days when it comes to freeing up money. Will the Bolts be aggressive during free agency?
January 27, 2026; El Segundo, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh (right) and general manager Joe Hortiz attend introductory press conference for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
January 27, 2026; El Segundo, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh (right) and general manager Joe Hortiz attend introductory press conference for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz has been busy the last few days clearing out some salary-cap room. It’s safe to say that Jim Harbaugh’s team has put themselves in great position to be an active player in free agency, which begins on March 11.

Via Over the Cap, the Chargers now have a smidge over $99 million in available cap space. As of this writing, that’s tops in the league. What’s fascinating is that the next three organizations with the most cap room—the Tennessee Titans ($93.8 million), Las Vegas Raiders ($88.1 million), and New York Jets ($74.3 million)—each won only three games each in 2025. Meanwhile, Harbaugh’s club finished 11-6 and reached the playoffs for the second straight year.

So how did the Chargers get to that current number? Much of that comes from the recent parting of ways of three players have opened up a combined $14.58 million for the club.

According to Jason Garcia of Heavy.com, the team saved $9.7 million by cutting ties with Becton, $4 million with the release of Dissly, and $880,000 by waving Washington. Meanwhile, the Bolts have 21 potential unrestricted free agents to make decisions on.

Mekhi Becton
May 27, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton (73) during organized team activities at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Chargers Free Agents

  • WR Keenan Allen
  • TE Tyler Conklin
  • DT Da'Shawn Hand
  • LS Josh Harris
  • RB Najee Harris
  • T Bobby Hart
  • RB Hassan Haskins
  • C Andre James
  • S Tony Jefferson
  • G Zion Johnson
  • QB Trey Lance
  • CB Deane Leonard
  • Edge Khalil Mack
  • DT Otito Ogbonnia
  • Edge Odafe Oweh
  • OL Trevor Penning
  • LB Denzel Perryman
  • ILB Del’Shawn Phillips
  • T Trey Pipkins III
  • OL Jamaree Salyer
  • CB Benjamin St-Juste

Hortiz and the organization now have some major money to spend on fixing an offensive line that was ranked 30th in the league by Pro Football Focus in 2025. They could make a major play for three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens) or pivot Connor McGovern (Bills) now that Bradley Bozeman has retired.

Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack
Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) tackle New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) as he throws a pass during the second half in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Meanwhile, Mack, Oweh, and St. Juste are the most intriguing names on the list for new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary. And will veteran wideout Keenan Allen return in 2026? Meanwhile, here's a look at the team's dead money in regards to the cap.

Los Angeles Chargers dead money on salary cap

G Mekhi Becton ($2.5 million)

TE Will Dissly ($1.5 million)

C Bradley Bozeman ($1.060 million)

T Branson Taylor ($168,903)

RB Kimani Vidal ($103,718)

Total: $5.55 million

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Russell Baxter
RUSSELL BAXTER

Russell S. Baxter has been writing and researching the game of football for more than 40 years, and on numerous platforms. That includes television, as he spent more than two decades at ESPN, and was part of shows that garnered five Emmy Awards. He also spent the 2015 NFL season with Thursday Night Football on CBS/NFLN.