COSTA MESA, Calif. – Anthony Lynn addressed many topics about the Los Angeles Chargers reported to training camp on Wednesday, but the only thing he didn’t have to discuss was a reservation involving one of his star players.
Any chance of that happening became a moot point on Tuesday night, when the franchise agreed on a five-year contract extension that will make passcaster Joey Bosa the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
“Joey is tied up for a while, and we’re all excited about that. We have other guys with contracts to come, but time will tell,” Lynn said. “It’s one less distraction that you have to deal with.”
Lynn, who is entering her fourth season as a coach, is well aware of how distractions can affect everyone.
Last year running back Melvin Gordon missed camp and was not reported until the fourth week of the regular season. He ended up averaging just 3.8 yards per carry, compared to 5.1 in 2018, and was out of sync for most of the season. Gordon ended up signing with Denver during the offseason.
“It didn’t work with Melvin last year, but I’m glad it worked now,” said Lynn. “It is my job to develop these players and make them feel like Superman. When they want to be paid like Superman, I go back.”
The Bosa extension is worth $ 135 million, including $ 102 million guaranteed. Exceeds the five-year, $ 125 million extension signed by Myles Garrett of Cleveland two weeks ago.
Lynn said all 86 players on the roster have turned up for the camp and that she was unaware that anyone had to be placed on the COVID-19 reserve list. Players may end up on the roster due to contact with someone infected with the virus or a positive test.
He also added that no player has approached him to choose not to participate in the next season.
The rookies reported last Saturday and are already going through conditioning training as well as tutorials with the coaching staff. The entire team will not be on the field until Monday.
Lynn’s early messages to the team have re-emphasized that this is far from a normal training ground due to current coronavirus protocols and the cancellation of preseason games. She has also been preaching self-discipline.
“Every day has been chaos. We have to welcome the chaos. We are going to have to think and re-emphasize with our players,” he said. “The goals have not changed, but the most disciplined teams will be ahead. We have two opponents: our schedule and COVID-19. Both game plans are equally important.”
Lynn also doesn’t have much time to prepare a team that has many changes in critical positions after a disappointing 5-11 last season. Tyrod Taylor is in the driver’s seat to start as a quarterback against the Bengals, but first-round pick Justin Herbert will also get his share of replays. Austin Ekeler takes over as the running back while the offensive line will have at least three new starters.
On defense, cornerback Chris Harris comes from Denver and joins Casey Hayward Jr. and safety Derwin James in what has the potential to be one of the best secondaries in the league.
“If you are a late bloomer or slow student, this camp will be challenging,” said Lynn. “We have to be creative in how we approach practice because we are going to have to do more, but we have some good veteran coaches.”
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