Denzel Perryman plans to test free agent market

On Sunday morning, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that linebacker Denzel Perryman is planning to test the market once he free agency begins on March 17, according to his agent Ron Butler. Perryman has yet to entirely rule out a return to the Bolts, either.

Originally a second-round pick of the Chargers out of the University of Miami, Perryman’s six-year career has been marred by the inability to stay on the field with any consistency. Up to this point, he’s never been available for more than 14 games a year and recorded his career-high 11 starts in 2016.

His 2020 season, while in a rotational role, was actually one of his best. In 13 games with six starts, Perryman recorded 48 total tackles, three-tackles-for-loss, one sack, and a forced fumble. While those box score stats aren’t all that special, his improvement in coverage was notable and he offered a refreshing spark of energy whenever he got onto the field.

For his career, Perryman has accumulated 349 tackles, 26 TFLs, five sacks, three interceptions, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

Heading into this offseason, many expected the former Hurricane to have played his final game with the Chargers. The team did just select Kenneth Murray Jr. in the first round of the 2020 draft, and the likes of Drue Tranquil and Kyzir White offer the Bolts a much younger group of linebackers to invest in going forward.

Perryman’s been one of the most well-liked players on the team with an infectious personality and the incredible knack for making people laugh at the same “hydration” joke for years. His overall presence will be missed should he sign elsewhere, but it’s tough to see him believing Los Angeles is still the best place to continue his career.