NFL free agency update: Chargers sign Mike Pouncey
By D. J. Evans
Having asked for and being granted his release within the last several days, former Miami Dolphins’ center, Mike Pouncey, signed a two-year deal to become the starting center of the Los Angeles Chargers.
When he requested his release last week, Mike Pouncey made it clear that the decision to leave was not his own. His request came after it became obvious that he was not in the Dolphins’ plans for the future. “I gave this city everything I had. I’m heartbroken,” Pouncey told the Palm Beach Post. Pouncey started all 16 games at center for the Dolphins in 2017.
Aside from an injury-shortened season in 2016, Pouncey had been relatively durable during his seven season career with the Dolphins. Moreover, he performed at a high level, having been selected to three straight Pro Bowls from 2013-15.
However, that one injury-plagued season in 2016 appears to have been a costly one. Pouncey suffered a hip injury that year and doctors revealed it could mean a hip replacement within the next 5-10 years. That is likely one of the reasons why the Dolphins were hesitant to pay starting center money for a guy about to start his last season in his 20s.
On the same day that Pouncey requested his release, the Dolphins traded for San Francisco 49ers’ starting center, Daniel Kilgore. Pouncey looks to immediately slide into the role of starting center for the Chargers.
Contract details
Chargers are giving former Dolphins’ center Mike Pouncey a two-year, $15 million, including $10 million fully guaranteed, per source. https://t.co/7smBDpWXpl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2018
National reaction
Chargers projected starting OL in 2018:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 19, 2018
LT: Russell Okung
LG: Dan Feeney
C: Mike Pouncey
RG: Forrest Lamp
RT: Joe Barksdale
Potential for dominance.
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Grade
The Chargers appears to be the sexy pick to win the AFC West in 2018. Plugging a former Pro Bowler in at starting center will do nothing to change that. In 2017, the Chargers started Spencer Pulley at center, and he graded as the 34th-best center per Pro Football Focus.
The Chargers obviously needed an upgrade. The question, however, is how much of an upgrade is Pouncey? While he did start every game last season, it was one of the worst season’s of his career, ranking as the 27th-best center per PFF.
On a two-year deal with only $10 million in guaranteed money, it appears to be a relatively low risk/high-reward move by the Chargers.
Grade: B+