Report: Los Angeles Chargers signing Russell Okung
By Adam Stocker
The Los Angeles Chargers are reportedly signing free agent left tackle Russell Okung to shore up their offensive line.
The Los Angeles Chargers are reportedly signing free agent left tackle Russell Okung, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson. The Chargers hope Okung will help improve their poor offensive line that struggled to keep quarterback Phillip Rivers standing last year.
I'm told Russell Okung has agreed to go the #Chargers on a 4-year deal for $53M. Guaranteed $25M
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 9, 2017
Okung signed a free agent contract last season with the Denver Broncos. However, he was criticized for not using an agent. Okung negotiated a one-year, $5 million contract with the Broncos. The contract had four years and $48 million in team options. After one season the Broncos released Okung, making him a free agent again.
For the second straight offseason, Okung negotiated his own contract. This year, Okung appears to have done a much better job negotiating for himself. Okung was able to get $25 million guaranteed from the Chargers on a four-year contract.
With the Chargers, Okung will be expected to play left tackle and protect Rivers’ blind side. However, the Chargers may not have spent their salary cap money well. Last season, Okung allowed the second-most pressures in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
Chargers signed Russell Okung. He allowed 57 pressures last year. The only left tackle who allowed more pressure last year was Ereck Flowers
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) March 9, 2017
The Seattle Seahawks initially drafted Okung in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, sixth overall. The Oklahoma State product played six seasons in Seattle, winning Super Bowl 48. The 29-year old has started 88 games in his career, and was named to the Pro-Bowl in 2012. However, last season was the only year that Okung has started all 16 games in a season.