Let's catch up on some of the latest happenings around the AFC West as we head into the second week of free agency.
After watching the Kansas City Chiefs wrap up the AFC West for eight straight seasons, it can be tougher to think of the Denver Broncos or Las Vegas Raiders or L.A. Chargers as true rivals. After all, it requires a bit of back and forth to create a real rivalry, but each has enjoyed its moment at the top historically, and no one here is ready to turn in our hatred cards for any/all of these teams just yet.
Because of their relationship to one another in the AFC West, it's important to keep tabs on what each team is doing as they construct their respective rosters for the 2024 season
We're now heading into our second week of free agency. Let's look at some recent moves by each team to see what's being emphasized or improved as a new offseason gets underway.
L.A. Chargers
The Chargers agreed to a one-year deal with a familiar face over the weekend, a plan to bring Denzel Perryman back home with the team that originally drafted him back in 2015's second round. According to Jeremy Fowler, it's a single-season deal worth up to $3 million and that should help fill out Jim Harbaugh's defense in place of Eric Kendricks who is now out.
Jesse Minter is the new DC under Harbaugh, coming over from Michigan himself, and he's been gifted both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack as well, who both agreed to restructured deals rather than being let go in free agency. The sledding is tougher on the offensive side with the loss of Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and Mike Williams to free agency.
Other than that, the Bolts have been awfully quiet, but that's to be expected when a team has to shed so much money just to be cap-compliant.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders also made a small re-signing over the weekend with the return of defensive tackles John Jenkins and Adam Butler.
The Raiders should be applauded for leaning into the bolstering of their defensive front. They gave the fits last year on Christmas Day, and that game should have taught them to do anything and everything to free up Maxx Crosby as much as possible. They did just that by convincing Christian Wilkins to sign with them in free agency last week.
Retaining Andre James was a good move for the offensive front as well, and the addition of Gardner Minshew shouldn't keep the Raiders from reaching for a franchise face but it does raise the floor considerably at the position.
Denver Broncos
Speaking of floors at quarterback, the Broncos are determined to finish next season as one of the worst teams in the NFL. Not only did they allow a lot of quality backup quarterbacks to float on by in free agency but they impressed upon reporters the idea they could go with Jarrett Stidham and a rookie this year.
Given that the team has already traded Jerry Jeudy, released Justin Simmons, and pretty much failed to make any significant improvements at any position, it's going to be a very, very long year in Denver. We can only hope Russell Wilson looks solid in Pittsburgh just to rub it in.