Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Chargers cut 22 players over the last two days and reduced their roster to 53 players. According to the team’s website, wide receiver Robert Meachem is among those players. Meachem posted career lows with 207 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions in 2012.
Meachem suffered a concussion this week against the San Francisco 49ers. According to U-T San Diego beat writer Michael Gehlken, San Diego could end up paying Meachem about $6.9 million this year.
San Diego has to pay Meachem $5 million in 2013 because this amount was guaranteed when he signed his contract. The question is whether or not San Diego will have to pay him about $1.9 million this year.
Meachem’s release does not come as a surprise because the former New Orleans Saints WR had his worst season in 2012. Meachem ranked 112th in the NFL with two TD receptions, was 217th in receiving yards per game and 227th in receptions among all players.
A season-ending injury to Danario Alexander was a chance for Meachem to get more playing time. Meachem entered 2013 as one of San Diego’s only receivers without multiple seasons of injury problems going back to their collegiate careers. This gave him a shot at making the team, but his play was not up to standards.
Meachem’s release comes five months after former Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Jared Gaither was released. Former Chargers GM A.J. Smith signed Gaither and Meachem to a combined eight years and $50.5 million last year, and both deals have been proven to be mistakes.
San Diego lacks depth at WR, so Meachem’s release could mean that he has almost nothing left in the tank. An article by Chris Wesseling on nfl.com said that Meachem’s body is broken down, but only time will tell if San Diego will end up paying him his full 2013 salary.
Related:
Robert Meachem May Be More Costly for San Diego Chargers to Keep Than to Cut
Keeping Robert Meachem Unfortunately is Right Move for San Diego Chargers
