NFL Writer Believes 2023 Could Be Chargers' Last Super Bowl Chance With Current Core

Why the Bolts might not be able to keep the club together beyond this year.

Dec 11, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

During a new episode of their Locked On Chargers podcast, hosts David Droegemeier and Daniel Wade unpacked the key reason why your Los Angeles Chargers may be embarking on just one last ride as currently comprised.

"After this season they are going to have some very difficult decisions to make on players they are going to bring back and players they are going to have to let go," Droegemeir noted (hat tip to Andy Patton of CBS News 8 San Diego for the transcription).

"Exactly, it's all part of the same question which is can this team be as competitive in 2024 as 2023, right now it's hard to see it that way," Wade said.

As Patton writes, five Bolts players will see their annual salaries increase to over $29 million in 2024. The club's dynamic linebacker duo of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa will earn an average of $37.6 million next year. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Justin Herbert round out the rest of the five.

Patton is skeptical Los Angeles will be unable to juggle all five of those players' salaries next year. With everyone still on the books, LA's cumulative salary cap total would leap to a prohibitively pricey $322.6 million.