Chargers agree to deal with guard Matt Feiler, lose safety Rayshawn Jenkins
The Chargers continued to bolster their offensive line late Monday afternoon, agreeing to terms with Matt Feiler, according to reports.
A starter the last three seasons with Pittsburgh, Feiler has played tackle and guard and on both sides of the line of scrimmage. He started at left guard last season. His three-year deal is worth up to $21 million.
Earlier Monday, the Chargers agreed to a five-year deal with 2020 All-Pro center Corey Linsley, who spent his first seven NFL seasons with Green Bay.
Feiler, who turns 29 in July, played collegiately at Division II Bloomsburg and has produced quite an NFL career from very modest beginnings. He originally signed with Houston as an undrafted free agent before joining the Steelers as a practice squad player in 2015.
Feiler had appeared in only six games before he emerged as a starter during the 2018 season.
Chargers lose starting safety Rayshawn Jenkins to Jaguars
The Chargers lost starting safety Rayshawn Jenkins on Monday to Jacksonville.
He reportedly agreed to a four-year free-agent deal to join the Jaguars, who are undergoing a rebuild with new head coach Urban Meyer.
Jenkins was a starter the past two seasons after playing mostly special teams during his first two years in the NFL. The Chargers drafted him in the fourth round in 2017 out of Miami.
Jenkins started at free safety in 2019 and moved to strong safety last year after Derwin James suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp.
Nasir Adderley replaced Jenkins at free safety and started 14 games in 2020, with mixed results. He could remain in that spot or the team could look in free agency to add a more veteran safety to start.
Adderley was drafted in the second round in 2019 out of Delaware and missed most of his rookie year because of a hamstring injury.
Corey Linsley, former All-Pro center with the Packers, agrees to Chargers deal
Looking to rebuild their offensive line, the Chargers took a major step Monday by agreeing to make Corey Linsley the highest-paid center in NFL history, according to multiple reports.
The reported deal is for five years and worth up to $62.5 million.
Linsley, who turns 30 in July, was an All-Pro last season with Green Bay. He spent seven years with the Packers, who drafted him in the fifth round out of Ohio State in 2014.
Dan Feeney, who started at center for the Chargers in 2020, is a free agent. He took over after Mike Pouncey was lost during training camp to a chronic hip injury that has since ended his career.
With free agency looming, the Chargers decided to release cornerback Casey Hayward in a move that will save them $9.75 million against the salary cap.
Linsley brings an anchor in the middle of the line that will be charged primarily with protecting quarterback Justin Herbert as he enters his second season.
The Chargers struggled up front last season with inconsistency and injuries, their line play considered to be among the worst in the NFL.
Along with Feeney, left guard Forrest Lamp and left tackle Sam Tevi also are free agents. The Chargers released right guard Trai Turner last week in a move to open more salary cap space.
That left veteran right tackle Bryan Bulaga as the only returning starter on the roster. Linsley and Bulaga were teammates in Green Bay from 2014-19.
A starter since his rookie year, Linsley has appeared in 99 games. He didn’t miss a start from 2017-19 for the Packers.
He was the NFL’s No. 1 overall graded center last season, according to Pro Football Focus, ranking second in run blocking and fourth in pass blocking.
Chargers agree to terms with cornerback Michael Davis
The Chargers retained a key piece of their secondary, agreeing on a three-year contract extension with Michael Davis, according to reports.
The veteran cornerback was entering his first foray into free agency. His new deal guarantees him at least $15 million.
Davis, 26, joined the Chargers in 2017 after going undrafted out of Brigham Young. He played mostly special teams as a rookie.
During his second season, Davis emerged as the starter opposite veteran Casey Hayward and finished with 50 tackles and eight passes knocked away.
He continued to develop in that role the last two seasons, intercepting five passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Davis combines good size — he’s 6-foot-2, 196 pounds — with notable speed. He was drawing interest from other teams.
The Chargers still are looking for another starting cornerback, a spot that could be filled in free agency or the draft. They released Hayward on Saturday in order to open cap space.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
