With his recent appointment as general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers, Joe Hortiz finds himself confronted with a challenging endeavor, particularly in navigating the team’s salary cap situation. The Chargers bear the weight of a substantial dead cap figure amounting to $21,840,169.

This, however, does not restrict head coach Harbaugh’s attempts at revamping the roster for the better. The Los Angeles Chargers have secured the services of a fullback adding another player with ties to offensive coordinator Greg Roman from the Ravens and head coach Jim Harbaugh from Michigan. 

The Chargers sign Ben Mason 

In line with their ongoing roster reconstruction under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Los Angeles Chargers have made another move by adding former Ravens Ben Mason to their arsenal. The announcement of Mason’s signing was made on Tuesday, as reported by Field Yates. Mason was drafted by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, chosen as the 184th overall pick. He played college football at the University of Michigan, where he was coached by none other than Harbaugh himself. 

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Despite being drafted by the Ravens in 2021, Mason was waived after the preseason, only to return to Baltimore’s practice squad later. His 2023 season saw him move between the Ravens’ active roster and practice squad, making a solitary appearance in only one game. During his college career at the University of Michigan, Mason showcased his versatility by contributing as a running back, tight end, and defensive lineman. He accumulated 87 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 37 carries, along with three receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown in 22 career games. Signing new talent is in keeping with Harbaugh’s promise of redirecting the Chargers onto the road leading to championship wins, but the salary cap situation casts a dark shadow over the prosperous prospects. 

The Chargers struggle with serious salary cap crunch 

The Los Angeles Chargers are facing a significant financial hurdle with their salary cap situation, currently burdened with a substantial dead cap of $21.84 million. This places them at the top of the NFL’s dead cap list, surpassing even the Baltimore Ravens, who owe just under $19 million. The main contributors to the Chargers’ dead cap dilemma are former offensive linemen Orlando Franklin and King Dunlap. Despite no longer being part of the team, they continue to draw a combined salary of $11,550,000, adding to the team’s financial strain. Additionally, cornerback Brandon Flowers and receiver Stevie Johnson also contribute to this hefty dead cap amount.

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In contrast, the Las Vegas Raiders have managed to execute a remarkable turnaround in their salary cap management. Their dead cap now stands at a mere $55,000, a significant improvement from the daunting $55 million they faced during the 2013 season. General Manager Reggie McKenzie deserves praise for orchestrating this impressive feat. As the Chargers navigate through their financial challenges, they could benefit from adopting some of the savvy financial strategies employed by the Raiders.