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5 San Diego Chargers Players Who Shouldn’t Be Back In 2015

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5 Chargers Players Who Shouldn't Be Back In 2015

San Diego Chargers
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The San Diego Chargers are on the verge of back-to-back playoff appearances. Head coach Mike McCoy has the team pointed in the right direction, and the Bolts seem to have a fairly bright future. There are some Chargers, however, who aren't contributing enough to merit a contract in 2015. From injuries to underperforming, the following are five guys who aren't worth the money next season.

5. Sean Lissemore

Lissemore
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

5. Sean Lissemore

Lissemore
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Lissemore was signed by San Diego this past offseason to a three-year, $ 6 million deal. Since he joined the team in 2013 he has played in 26 games, netting zero forced fumbles, two tackles for loss and three sacks. As a DT in a 3-4 scheme, his job is to absorb linemen to free up other tacklers in the run game. The Chargers have not been a good run defense during his tenure. He isn't worth the $ 3 million cap hit over the next two years.

4. Donald Brown

Donald Brown
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

4. Donald Brown

Donald Brown
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Brown looked like a good late offseason free agent pickup before this year. Signed to a three-year, $ 10.5 million deal, the former first-round pick was supposed to provide quality depth and possibly start if Ryan Mathews was hurt long term. He has been so ineffective that the Bolts dropped him down behind Branden Oliver, who has shined for the Bolts in relief. Brown's 2.3 yard average and zero TDs on the year do not justify keeping him in 2015.

3. Manti Te'o

Manti Teo
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3. Manti Te'o

Manti Te'o
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Te'o looks more and more like a reach where the Chargers drafted him. The second-round pick has either been hurt or a non-factor for most of his NFL career. His statistics for 19 games he has played in? 89 total tackles. That isn't ridiculously low, but then you see the rest of his numbers: zeros in sacks, forced fumbles and interceptions. In other words, zero impact when he is in the game. It's time to make a trade.

2. Jarret Johnson

Jarret Johnson
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jarret Johnson

Jarret Johnson
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Jarret Johnson came in from a Ravens team that was known for a tough defense. The Bolts were hoping to absorb that toughness with signing Johnson to a contract in the 2012 offseason. This past year, they renegotiated his deal, seeing little return for the $ 4 million they had already paid him. He has just 5.5 sacks in three years, a number he bested in 2009 as a Raven. Cutting the 33-year-old will save them $ 5 million in 2015 cap space.

1. Ryan Mathews

Ryan Mathews
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

1. Ryan Mathews

Ryan Mathews
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Mathews will be a free agent this offseason, and there is very little hope the Chargers will be bringing him back, especially when you consider what Mathews will likely demand in free agency. The tough part is what San Diego gave up to draft him No. 12 overall in 2010. And although he had a good year in 2013, rushing for over 1200 yards and 6 TDs, he has been too injury-prone to spend big dollars on. 2013 was the only year he has played 16 games.

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