Chargers GM reveals reason for low-spending free agency plan

Chargers GM reveals reason for low-spending free agency plan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Chargers have been an interesting watch this offseason, as the franchise has been content to sit on over $40 million in cap space.

Given the needs at edge, receiver, and offensive line, it is a little odd for the Chargers, who have glaring needs, not to use the cap space to bolster Justin Herbert's protection and weaponry.

But there's a method to general manager Joe Hortiz's madness, it seems.

And as it turns out, it's more of a philosophical thing.

"I just believe in building through the draft, and I believe in paying the players you know," Hortiz said via ESPN's Kris Rhim.

Hortiz then added:

"I just think you have to spread your money around a little bit. We could pay top dollar for five offensive linemen. We could do that. And we wouldn't have money left over for much of anyone else outside the quarterback. So you have to be selective in free agency."

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Chargers need to be active

In my opinion, it is all good and well to say that you believe building through the draft is the way to approach roster building, but when your franchise quarterback gets sacked 54 times last season, surely that is enough of a blinking red light to go free agency shopping?

Tyler Biadasz is a fine signing, but the Chargers need more. Plus, Herbert likely needs another receiver as well. So those are two areas that L.A. can help its franchise quarterback.