The Los Angeles Chargers’ salary cap situation is an ugly one. Multiple contracts were restructured this offseason, which means the next few years could get really ugly when it comes to cap hits and needing to move money around. But, that is the cost of business when attempting to maximize having a star quarterback on a rookie contract as Los Angeles does with Justin Herbert.
As a result, this offseason has been relatively quiet for the Chargers when it comes to adding players from other teams. The only free agent that left a team for Los Angeles this offseason is linebacker Eric Kendricks, who headed over from the Minnesota Vikings. He will be replacing Drue Tranquil in the lineup, as he joined the rival Kansas City Chiefs.
While the Chargers haven’t been making headlines with their moves, they have made a few solid ones. The best under-the-radar move that they made thus far this offseason was re-signing defensive tackle, Morgan Fox.
Fox isn’t a household name after going undrafted in 2016 out of Colorado State-Pueblo, but he is a key part of the Chargers’ defensive front. It was a group that struggled mightily in 2022, but Fox was a bright spot among them.
He recorded career-highs with 6.5 sacks and 38 total tackles and 11 quarterback hits. The eight tackles for loss he recorded tied for a career-high, which was set in 2020. Not a coincidence, 2020 was the best season of Fox’s career before last year, which was also overseen by Brandon Staley.
Staley was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 when Fox thrived. The two reunited on the Chargers in 2022 and it is clear that something Staley does clicks, as Fox has produced well under his coaching.
“When I think of Morgan, I think of a glue guy,” Staley said near the end of the 2022 season. “I think of tough and rugged, a playmaker, versatile, do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
That is the kind of player that the Chargers could use more of. Retaining Fox will go a long way to helping the team figure things out on the interior of the defensive line. He provides a pass-rushing presence from the interior with Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa rushing from the edge, taking pressure off of them.
Fox signed a modest two-year, $7.25 million deal to return to the Chargers. It is a huge win for both sides. Fox remains on a team with a coaching staff that helps bring the most out of him and the Chargers retained a productive player without breaking the bank.
