Should the Chargers cut Virgil Green?

Last week, NFL analyst Kristopher Knox updated his ongoing article at Bleacher Report that lists a player from each of the 32 clubs that they should consider cutting prior to the 2020 season. After Denzel Perryman was used in an older edition of the list, there’s now a new name for the Chargers this time around: tight end Virgil Green.

Green is currently slotted as the team’s backup at the position behind Hunter Henry. He’s more a run-blocker as opposed to a threat in the passing game, but that’s usually what a team wants in backup tight ends. Since the Chargers don’t usually pass out of two tight end sets, he’s a great fit, so why does Knox think he needs to go?

Two words: cap savings.

“Though he has never been a star at the NFL level, Virgil Green has been a quality backup tight end for the better part of a decade,” says Knox. “He’s entering his 10th season in the NFL and his third with the Los Angeles Chargers.”

“However, the Chargers may want to go with a cheaper option behind starter Hunter Henry—perhaps fifth-year pro Stephen Anderson. While Anderson is set to carry a cap hit of just $750,000, Green will have a hit of $3.5 million, $2.7 million of which can be saved by releasing him.”

Due to this team’s knack for procuring injuries during the season, it’s not a bad idea to have a little extra money to work with if they need to sign a veteran off the street. But is it worth losing an above-average backup behind another player who has had his fair share of injuries, as well? It may actually not be that smart of a move in the end.

What are all of your opinions on this hypothetical? Could the Chargers get away with releasing Green or would it come back to bite them?