With quarterback Peyton Manning joining the Denver Broncos, the chances of the Chargers reclaiming the AFC West title just got a little tougher. The Chargers won four straight AFC West titles before missing out the past two years.
"Peyton's presence won't change anything we do moving forward," general manager A.J. Smith said. "All it does is heighten awareness to the fact that you've got a major problem winning the AFC West after a player like that shows up."
QB Charlie Whitehurst was reeled in with a two-year contract that reportedly is worth $4 million with a $1 million signing bonus. Longtime backup Billy Volek was released in a corresponding move that saves salary-cap space in 2012. Volek was due a $750,000 roster bonus on March 23, had already earned all of his guaranteed money, and was responsible for $3.5 million toward the '12 cap. He didn't play a snap last season. The Chargers snagged Whitehurst with a third-round draft pick out of Clemson in 2006. He was the No. 3 behind Philip Rivers and Volek for four seasons before being traded to Seattle in March 2010 for a swap of second-round draft picks that year and the Seahawks' third-rounder in 2011. Whitehurst played in only nine games for Seattle, starting four.
The Chargers had a visit with running back Jackie Battle, as they seek some depth behind Ryan Mathews. Running back Mike Tolbert, who shared the rushing load with Mathews last year, signed with the Panthers.
Just because defensive end Luis Castillo, fullback Jacob Hester and defensive tackle Antonio Garay have hit the free-agent market it doesn't mean the Chargers are no longer interested in their services. It's believed the Chargers have exchanged contract numbers with all three players; the Chargers will regain the players' interest after they visit some clubs. With Hester, he would be brought back almost strictly as a special-teams player after the Chargers added Le'Ron McClain.
The Chargers are in the market for a backup running back and there's a certain player with some big-time Chargers credentials available: LaDainian Tomlinson. But Smith isn't interested in bringing back the Chargers icon in a third-down role. "We're moving on," Smith said. "I know about L.T.'s desire to continue his career, but that won't happen here."
Special-teams ace Kassim Osgood, who was let go by the Jaguars, would also be interested in returning. And with the possibility of the Chargers losing Hester - a solid special teams player - some speculate Osgood would return. But all indications are the Chargers aren't interested in a reunion with their former special-teams Pro Bowler.
