The San Diego Chargers have just released inside linebacker Donald Butler. Butler was a third round 2010 NFL Draft pick for the Chargers who was highly valued by the organization. In his career with the Chargers, Butler has recorded 373 combined tackles, seven sacks, 12 pass defenses, three interceptions and five forced fumbles. The linebacker suffered a season ending injury during his rookie year in which he tore his Achilles.
The 27-year-old would later return to become a playoff hero in 2013 but was never the same player he was before the injury. Last season, the Chargers linebacker recorded 43 combined tackles, one forced fumble and .5 sacks. Butler has only played one full season with the Chargers, as he has been plagued by injuries constantly.
This move frees up $9.41 million for the Chargers to utilize in cap space, as they expect rookie linebacker Denzel Perryman to replace Butler. The Chargers brass view Perryman as a star in the making and want nothing to hinder his progress going forward. San Diego will now have $22,218,377 in salary cap space for the 2016 offseason. The Chargers currently have five key free agents, those being safety Eric Weddle, tight ends Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green, and wide receivers Malcom Floyd and Dontrelle Inman.
Weddle is planning on leaving the team after he felt disrespected by the lack of interest that the Chargers showed in resigning the Pro Bowler. The Chargers may have felt that Weddle, 31, was going to start declining, but he can prove them wrong by being a productive member of a solid team in 2016. Gates will be 35, and although the Chargers are expected to resign him, he will definitely see a decrease in snaps for the 2016 season.
Gates may still be a productive tight end, but he may begin to struggle as the 2016 season moves forward. This is why resigning Ladarius Green is absolutely paramount. Green is 25 years old but has suffered multiple concussions over the last couple of seasons. If Green has any chance of being Gate's replacement, it will be in the 2016 season. Malcom Floyd will be 34 years old and is likely to retire, as he will struggle to be productive wherever he goes.
Another young offensive player, wide receiver Dontrelle Inman, will hit free agency after attempting to replace Keenan Allen after he suffered a kidney injury during the 2015 regular season. The Chargers should look to free agency, and the 2016 NFL Draft to fill up most of their roster holes.
