Chargers News: Bolts Insider Examines Why LA Hasn't Signed Top Free Agent Safety

A John Johnson and Brandon Staley reunion is unlikely

The Los Angeles Chargers are approaching the start of their training camp. It will be an exciting time for the fans and the team as they gear up for a very important 2023 season. 

Although the Chargers are set in many of their positions, there are a couple of position groups that many fans and experts have concerns about, including the safety position. Outside of superstar Derwin James Jr., the others are a bit suspect.

Due to this, many associated free agent safety John Johnson III to the Bolts because of his connection to head coach Brandon Staley. However, it goes way beyond the simplistics as Chargers insider Daniel Popper breaks it down. 

The Chargers have a little more than $12 million in remaining 2023 cap space, according to Over the Cap. But the issue is not with this season. It is with next season. Because of how the Chargers approached this offseason, restructuring four contracts to create immediate room, they are miles over the projected cap for 2024 — $60.577 million over, according to Over the Cap. They have ways to shrink that number. Justin Herbert is due for a $29.5 million cap hit in 2024 on his fifth-year option, and the Chargers would almost certainly decrease that hit once they

get an extension done with their star quarterback

. They can also release or extend some of their other high-priced players, like

Khalil Mack

.

As it stands, the Chargers will likely be forced to make some tough decisions and get rather creative to become cap-compliant next offseason. That might seem like a down-the-road problem, but part of the job of general manager Tom Telesco and the front office is to factor those considerations into short- and long-term decision-making.

(via The Athletic)

It's not as simple as it may seem. Popper explains how the Chargers are already tight with their money, and that's even without the contract that quarterback Justin Herbert is due to get in the coming weeks. 

Although it's tempting, it's not as easy as it seems. James Jr. has already expressed confidence and praises his fellow safeties, so that may mean they'll stay put in that position. 

We'll see how the position group looks outside of Derwin in the coming weeks.