Chargers Daily Links: Which 2021 contracts should the Bolts prioritize?

We’re all going to be hearing a lot about impending contracts this season. The LA Chargers are in an unfortunate spot where a good deal of their best players will be up for new deals after this coming season and Tom Telesco has unenviable responsibility of making sure they retain everyone they need to.

With the Joey Bosa extension now in the rearview, your top players set to hit the market in 2021 are now Keenan Allen, Desmond King, Melvin Ingram, Hunter Henry, and Mike Pouncey.

With that group in mind, I want to ask: How would you personally prioritize their contracts? Which players are “must-signs” and which ones can the team potentially live without next season?

Here’s how I would rank them in terms of necessity to get done:

1.) Allen
2.)Henry
3.)King
T-4.) Ingram
T-4.) Pouncey

I place Allen and Henry at the top because I think it will be incredibly important to keep the band together on offense while the team develops a young quarterback. They need to minimize changes to that side of the ball and keep things as consistent as possible. Allen and Henry are going to be his favorite targets along with Ekeler as he grows into an NFL quarterback.

King comes next as a young and exciting play-maker in a defense that relies heavily on slot defenders who can cover and tackle with equal ability. Despite a down here in 2019, King adds versatility and savviness to a secondary flushed with potential. History says he’ll be closer to his 2018 form over another wash of a season.

Ingram and Pouncey come next as veterans who undoubtedly make an impact on the field but the Chargers have up-and-coming players behind them who have shown they can hang when given the chance. Uchenna Nwosu and Scott Quessenberry have both displayed the ability to step in and keep their sides of the ball moving without giving up a huge gap in talent. So when it comes to the veterans, I would be content with letting them walk despite wishing the team could benefit longer from their veteran presence in the locker room.

How you would all rank these five pending free agents? Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts?

Also, the links for the day.

Chargers News:

Chris Hayre talks Joey Bosa extension and fantasy football on Chargers Weekly (Chargers.com)

Hayley Elwood discusses how Anthony Lynn wants to “embrace chaos” in 2020 (Chargers.com)

Gavino Borquez ponders which wide receiver has the best shot at winning the WR3 job (Chargers Wire)

Jason Reed lists the greatest Chargers to ever wear the No. 46 (Bolt Beat)

NFL News:

NFL Nation shares photos and videos of training camps around the NFL (ESPN)

LeSean McCoy signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ESPN)

John Breech discusses Week 1 prop bets for Chiefs v. Texans (CBS Sports)

DE Yannick Ngakoue is holding out from reporting to training camp (Bleacher Report)

Chris Trapasso talks NFC rookies who will replace veterans (CBS Sports)

Jamal Adams wants to retire as a Seahawk (Pro Football Talk)