Chargers News: Is This LA's Most Essential Free Agent?

Your Los Angeles Chargers are entering one of their most crucial offseason in a long time after completely underperforming this past season. The team finished 5-12 on the year after entering with potential Super Bowl hype, forcing the team to part ways with head coach Brandon Staley.

Los Angeles changed the entire narrative by hiring Jim Harbaugh to take over as the new head coach, giving them a major buzz entering the offseason. But the team still has work to do on the roster all across the board.

They hold the 5th overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft and will need to find a way to navigate their cap space issues to build out the roster with more talent. But one writer believes that the Bolts have one specific free agent that they have to make sure to keep around: tight end Gerald Everett.

"The Chargers and their new regime are in for an offseason of major contraction, with so many potential cut or trade candidates. But we’ll get to that later. For now, retaining a solid tight end who has good chemistry with Justin Herbert makes sense."

Per Brad Spielberger of PFF

Everett has been the security blanket for quarterback Justin Herbert over the last few seasons, and it would make sense to bring him back. However, the Bolts could also look to upgrade the position, whether that is via trade, free agency or through the draft.

Last season, Everett put up 51 catches for 411 yards and three touchdowns. But it's his presence on the field that has helped Herbert.

"Everett’s 28 forced missed tackles over the past two seasons are the second most among tight ends, and Herbert was never afraid to look his way in high-leverage moments down in the red zone and on third downs."

Per Brad Spielberger of PFF

He gives the quarterback someone who he trusts, especially in the red zone, which can make all the difference. Entering a year with a new head coach, bringing Everett back could help ease the offense into everything. However, it means to be seen how the new Bolts coaching staff wants to build out the offensive system.