Dolphins Sign Jamaree Salyer as Chargers Continue Free Agency Changes
The Los Angeles Chargers have lost another player in free agency, this time in an area where depth was already a concern.
Before the weekend, the Miami Dolphins managed to add a former Chargers lineman after previously seeing a couple of their own players head to Los Angeles earlier in free agency. The Chargers had already signed former Dolphins contributors Alec Ingold and Cole Strange, both of whom could help the team adjust to a new offensive system led by coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Now Miami has responded by bringing in offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer.
Although Salyer’s contract isn’t particularly large, he had become a well-liked player among Chargers fans over the years. Selected in the sixth round, he proved to be a valuable depth piece for the team. Early in his career he filled in at offensive tackle before eventually settling into a role as a backup guard.
During the most recent season, injuries to starters Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt gave Salyer an opportunity to play more snaps, and he performed solidly when called upon—possibly well enough to attract interest from other teams.
However, the Chargers’ evolving offensive philosophy may have played a role in the decision not to keep him. McDaniel has been open about implementing a different blocking scheme for the offensive line, which is already influencing roster moves. The team added center Tyler Biadasz and also allowed former first-round pick Zion Johnson to depart in free agency, a move likely tied to both financial considerations and scheme fit.
With Slater, Alt, and Biadasz expected to anchor the line, and swing tackle Trey Pipkins already re-signed, the Chargers still appear to be searching for as many as two starting guards. Salyer wasn’t widely viewed as a likely starter, but his departure does make the team’s depth situation more challenging.
Reliable, versatile backup linemen are difficult to find around the league, which could push the Chargers to use additional draft picks to strengthen that area. Still, the organization has shown an ability to uncover value later in the draft under general manager Joe Hortiz, who has built a reputation for finding productive players beyond the early rounds.
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