The Los Angeles Chargers have one goal in mind. Win a damn playoff game. Everyone associated with the NFL understands how talented the Chargers are right now, with Jim Harbaugh leading the way. However, in two years as a head coach of the Bolts, the team is 0-2 with two miserable playoff performances.
The roster is loaded with talent. After another successful NFL Draft, the Chargers have potential stars at every position for the present and the future. Changes will continue to be made as the offseason progresses, but the Bolts likely won’t be making any more serious free-agent additions or trades.
This article discusses three players who have made a serious impact on this team over the last few seasons, but are also in danger of being cut after the 2026 minicamp and upcoming training camp at the end of July. The Chargers’ coaches need to realize that these three players are not going to be much more than depth pieces, but the decision to move on from them may benefit the team in the long run. There are multiple reasons why all three of these players should not make the roster for the 2026 season.
There will be many players cut, and 95% of them will be obvious. Scott Matlock, Derious Davis, and Bud Dupree are not obvious cut candidates, but players who are the biggest names of the group. If they do not have a great camp in August, they could find themselves without a job.
Scott Matlock FB/DT
Contract: 4 years – $4 million (rookie) – free agent after 2026 season
Matlock has been a Swiss Army Knife for the Bolts over the last two seasons. This is a total Jim Harbaugh-type player, and it will be a very difficult decision to move on from him if that ends up being the case. Matclock came into the league as a defensive tackle, but has moved to a primary position of fullback for certain packages. He has done a great job of blocking for the run game and has even made some catches in his career. He has eight catches for 40 yards, two first downs, and one touchdown in his career.
Matlock’s job would likely not be in jeopardy if it weren’t for the free agent addition of fullback Alec Ingold. Ingold comes to the Chargers from the Miami Dolphins, following Mike McDaniel. McDaniel is going to play Ingold over Matlock almost every single time, and it does not make sense to keep a backup fullback.
At defensive tackle, the Bolts contain Dalvin Tomlinson, Teiar Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, Nick Barnett, and Justin Eboigbe. He doesn’t have a spot in that room either.
Derius Davis WR
Contract: 4 years – $4.55 million (rookie) – free agent after 2026 season
Davis seems to be the most obvious cut candidate not named Bud Dupree. Davis has been the Chargers’ primary punt returner and is used as a kick returner as well. He just has not thrived in that role and did not succeed in 2025. He has one punt return for a touchdown that came in his rookie season in 2023. Since then, he has not made an impact, outside of just a few decent returns. In 2025, he had 11 punt returns for 77 yards and a long of 33. As a kick returner, he had 18 attempts for 464 yards and a long of 30. It is time to find someone new.
His receiver stats are nonexistent as he has 30 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns for his career. A majority of that came in 2024. With some new talent in the building, Davis’ job is in serious jeopardy.
Bud Dupree OLB
Contract: 1 year – $6 million (extension) – free agent after 2026 season
Dupree is still pushing along at age 33, still with some solid seasons left in him. Over the last two seasons, Dupree has been a decent backup pass rusher to Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Tuli Tuipulotu. With Bosa not with the team last season, Dupree saw more reps, though his impact was not there. He finished with just 16 tackles (nine solo), two sacks, and one pass deflection. In 2024, he had six sacks and was much more of a threat.
His threat as an edge rusher could be fading, and with the latest addition of rookie Akheem Mesidor, Dupree would be the 4th string OLB and a backup to Tuipulotu. Mesidor will likely back up Mack with the possibility of starting next to both Mack and Tuli, depending on the defensive front.
Dupree has a $3.4 million cap hit, but the Chargers will likely move on from him with Kyle Kennard (2025 draft pick) climbing up the ranks as well.
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