The new league year officially kicks off on March 9, coinciding with the annual free agent frenzy throughout the league. While teams are eligible to re-sign their own players at any time before then, here is a full list of the Chargers' pending free agents.
Unrestricted Free Agents (16)
Unrestricted Free Agents have completed four or more accrued seasons. An Unrestricted Free Agent is free to sign with any club with no draft choice compensation owed to his old club.
T Joe Barksdale – Named the team's Lineman of the Year in his first season in San Diego, Barksdale was the only offensive lineman to start all 16 games.
QB Kellen Clemens – The backup QB saw spot duty in Week 3's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, completing five of six passes for 63 yards and one touchdown.
WR Malcom Floyd – Although technically a free agent, M80 announced his retirement after 12
years with the Bolts.
TE Antonio Gates – The future Hall of Famer owns the franchise record for receptions (844), receiving yards (10,644) and TD catches (104). At 35 years old, he caught 56 passes for 630 yards and five touchdowns last season in 11 games.
TE Ladarius Green – "Pee Wee" blossomed in 2015 despite dealing with nagging
injuries, setting career-highs with 37 catches for 429 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games.
T Chris Hairston – A valuable member of the offensive line, Hairston appeared in all 16 games and made 11 starts as he filled in admirably for a number of injured teammates. He started games at both guard and tackle.
TE David Johnson – Known for his work in the trenches doing the dirty work, the hybrid tight end/fullback caught one pass for four yards. He also had the first two carries of his career for four yards, both of which resulted in a first down.
T Jeff Linkenbach – Claimed off waivers in late December from the Miami Dolphins, the sixth-year veteran was active for the season finale in Denver.
DE Ricardo Mathews – The high-energy defensive end had a career-high 25 tackles along with one sack and three tackles for loss.
ILB Joe Mays – Signed in early November, the eighth-year pro appeared in nine games and provided valuable depth at inside linebacker and on special teams.
TE John Phillips – With Gates and Green missing multiple games, Phillips had a larger role in the passing game than in recent years. After totaling five catches over his first two years in San Diego, he had 10 receptions for 69 yards and one score in 2015.
DE Kendall Reyes – The 6-4, 300-pounder had one of his finest seasons, leading all defensive linemen with 39 tackles. He also added two sacks and his first career interception.
CB Patrick Robinson – A former first round pick of the New Orleans Saints, Robinson turned heads in his first season in America's Finest City. The only cornerback to appear in all 16 games, he posted 49 tackles, eight passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble in 16 games.
CB Cassius Vaughn – Signed days before the season finale, the six-year veteran totaled one tackle in limited action.
C J.D. Walton – Signed in the middle of the year, Walton appeared in four games over two separate stints. The center also appeared in multiple games at guard for the first time in his career.
S Eric Weddle – Based on statements Weddle made through the 2015 season, General Manager Tom Telesco said it is probably best for both parties to go their separate ways this offseason.
Restricted Free Agents (4)
Restricted Free Agents are players with three accrued seasons. A Restricted Free Agent may receive a qualifying offer from their previous team, which is a salary tender predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players. If the Restricted Free Agent signs an offer sheet with a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him because the qualifying offer entitles it to a "right of first refusal" on any offer sheet the player signs. If the old club does not match the offer, it may receive draft choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer.
S Jahleel Addae – It was a career-year for "The Hitman", who became the team's starting strong safety in his third season. Addae set new personal marks with 65 tackles, four passes defensed and one sack in 13 games.
S Brandian Ross – The fourth year pro is another player signed just days before Week 17's match against the Denver Broncos.
NT Damion Square – Square made an impact after being promoted from the practice squad midway through the year. The 6-2, 293-pound product out of Alabama finished with six tackles and one fumble recovery in six games with one start.
G Johnnie Troutman – The guard suffered a forearm injury in the preseason opener that cost him the entire season.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents (3)
*Exclusive Rights Free Agents are players with two years of NFL experience. If their team tenders them with a qualifying offer, the Exclusive Rights Free Agent is not eligible to sign with any other team. *
WR Dontrelle Inman – It was a breakout year for the wideout who set career highs across the board. He finished with 35 catches for 486 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games with seven starts.
OLB Cordarro Law – Law provided valuable depth in his second season, recording six tackles and four QB hits plus four special teams tackles in 14 games.
OL Kenny Wiggins – After exhausting all of his practice squad eligibility over four seasons, the versatile lineman saw the first action of his career as he appeared in 15 games with eight starts.
