Los Angeles Chargers’ NFL free-agent signings 2022…

NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2022 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins March 16 at 4 p.m. ET, which means free-agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2022 NFL draft begins April 28 on ESPN.

The Chargers enter free agency with a star quarterback in Justin Herbert, who was named to the Pro Bowl in his second season after throwing for 5,014 yards and 38 touchdown passes in 2021. And they were able to take care of a big offseason priority by re-signing receiver Mike Williams, who agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract, with $40 million guaranteed and $28 million in the first year of the deal after having a career year in 2021.

The Chargers also also making moves to bolster their defense, as they are set to acquire pass rusher Khalil Mack from the Chicago Bears to provide pass-rush help to Pro Bowl Joey Bosa to combat an AFC West that’s gotten even tougher with the Denver Broncos trading for Russell Wilson.

Now they need a right tackle or a guard and possibly a cornerback, along with some big guys on the defensive line to shore up a rush defense that was among the NFL’s worst.

Here’s a breakdown of every 2022 NFL free-agent signing by the Los Angeles Chargers, and how each will impact the upcoming season:

The Chargers are giving the former Patriots CB a Los Angeles Chargers are giving former New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson a five-year, $82.5 million deal that includes $40 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.

What it means: The Chargers just watched the team they share a stadium with (the Los Angeles Rams) win a Super Bowl and still have star quarterback Justin Herbert on his rookie contract. In other words, it’s time to push their chips in and go after a Super Bowl. That’s the only logical conclusion after agreeing to terms with the market’s best cornerback, trading for edge rusher Khalil Mack and re-signing receiver Mike Williams to a $20-million-a-year deal. The Chargers just missed the playoffs last year but in the uber competitive AFC, they clearly recognized that big moves were needed.

What’s the risk: Big-money free agent signings always come with some level of risk. With Jackson, the risk comes in comparable players, such as Malcolm Butler, who have soared from undrafted free agents to highly-paid No. 1 corners and not panned out. Jackson also had some struggles against Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs, raising some questions about how he’ll hold up weekly against other top wideouts. But Jackson’s 25 interceptions are the most in the NFL over the past four seasons and he’s allowed the lowest passer rating (42.0) as the nearest defender in the league since 2018. It’s risky, but worthwhile to pursue for a defense now loaded with talent.