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According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Chargers will not be tendering defensive end Isaac Rochell. He will officially hit free agency on Wednesday.
Rochell, the Bolts’ seventh-round pick back in 2017, started a career-high six games in 2020 due to a number of injuries to both Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. He ended the year with 29 total tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and 2.5 sacks. His best season with the Chargers came in 2018 when he started three games, playing in all 16, and recorded a career-high five sacks and six tackles-for-loss.
The #Chargers aren't tendering DE Isaac Rochell, per source. Bit of a surprise, since he started six games last season for them. He'll hit the market.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2021
The former Golden Domer has been a consistent presence for the Chargers. He hasn’t missed a single game over the past three seasons and has been rock-steady whenever he’s been needed for spot duty. Chargers fans would have liked Rochell to be more of a difference-maker in his limited playing snaps, but at the same time, former seventh-round picks usually don’t stick around this long.
Rochell has an infectious personality and has been a fan favorite, but it’s not surprising to see the new coaching staff moving on from depth pieces that were being fostered by Anthony Lynn and the old regime.