3 Chargers who won’t be back in 2023 and the best options to replace them

By Mark Powell | Jan 15, 2023

INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 20: Quarterback Chase Daniel #4 of the Los Angeles Chargers is congratulated by head coach Brandon Staley after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at SoFi Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: DeAndre Carter #1 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Chargers who won’t be back: WR, DeAndre Carter

Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer. What do all three of these wideouts have in common?

All are entrenched on the Chargers depth chart, and they aren’t going anywhere. For a player like DeAndre Carter, who is still trying to make an impact in this league as a young wideout, it doesn’t make sense to stay with Los Angeles. There are only so many Justin Herbert passes to go around.

Carter showed some promise when he received opportunities. Allen, Williams and Palmer all missed time in 2022-23, and if it showed the Chargers anything, it’s that they need to keep the depth chart stacked with wideouts who are ready to play if called upon. Carter filled that role.

Bolt Beat’s Jason Reed laid out what Carter brings to the table, and why he’s likely on the way out in LA:

"“Carter did enough to increase his value after his one-year deal with the Bolts and that will likely lead to him finding a new team in 2023. The Chargers simply do not have the funds to bring Carter back into the fold unless he signs a league-minimum deal. That no longer seems likely.”"

If Los Angeles is smart, they will draft a wide receiver in April, rather than overpaying for a depth piece in what’s expected to be a thin wide receiver market in free agency. There will be plenty of depth wideouts available in the middle rounds. It helps that the Chargers already have three solid pieces to build around at the position.

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