Los Angeles Chargers

5 players the Chargers must move on from in 2016

Published Jan. 20, 2016 4:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

Tom Telesco slowly lowered the San Diego Chargers into a salary hole by handing out big deals. Now, the general manager is tasked with getting them out -- a process which might prove just as slow, if not slower.

Telesco's hand might be forced with several stars inked to long-term deals. But if he can get creative with these five names, it'll only aide the team's return to relevancy:

1. Eric Weddle

Finally, an end to the daytime soap opera. Weddle sought a top-of-market safety deal this time last year. But his relationship with the team soured after a holdout, several trade rumors, and finally, a fine and controversial trip to the injured reserve. He'll ply his trade elsewhere in 2016 and save the Bolts a long-term cap hit. He's 30, and that's a poisonous age for veterans seeking big deals like Weddle.

2. Stevie Johnson

It might be time to admit Stevie Johnson is on the downside of his career. The veteran turned in his third straight season of under 600 receiving yards and no more than three touchdowns. He couldn't stay healthy enough to truly replace Eddie Royal as the team's slot option, either. San Diego can and should save almost $2 million by letting him go.

3. Donald Butler

Telesco needs to approach Butler's contract situation with kid gloves. The seven-year, $48 million deal he landed in 2014 has devolved into one of the NFL's worst. Even with a looming third-year option, it could be time to cut ties with the veteran linebacker and eat $18 million in dead money. Then, they can hand over the future of their defense to blossoming star Denzel Perryman without delay.

4. Brandon Flowers

Telesco tried to squeeze one last contract out of Flowers before his career was up. It didn't work; the soon-to-be 30-year-old struggled in coverage and ended up on injured reserve. Here's the problem: Flowers inked his four-year deal last offseason. Releasing him now would free up $4 million at the cost of a $13.75 million dead-money hit.

5. Mike Scifres

Punters are people, too. But punters shouldn't make more money than the team's only Pro Bowler, cornerback Jason Verrett. With a $4.1 million cap number, expect Scifres to negotiate down or find a new team in 2016. Kicker Josh Lambo, a former MLS goalkeeper, could actually pull double duty for twice the savings.

*All salary cap information comes from OverTheCap.com.

Nick Toney covers the AFC West for FOX Sports. Find him on Twitter at @nicktoneytweets.