NFL San Diego Chargers

5 Veterans Who May Not Return For The San Diego Chargers

5 Veterans Who May Not Return For The San Diego Chargers

Chargers
Kyle Terada - USA Today Sports

After every NFL season, players have to reevaluate their plans for the future and their status with their given team. Likewise, teams have to analyze which players best fit their roster. Here are five veterans who might not find their way back to the San Diego Chargers in 2015.

5. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates
Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

5. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates
Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

The reality for the Chargers is that their star tight end may soon choose to call it quits. No one knows when this will happen, but it's getting to the point where it's at least fair to start asking the question.

4. Kellen Clemens

Kellen Clemens
Kyle Terada - USA Today Sports

4. Kellen Clemens

Kellen Clemens
Kyla Terada - USA Today Sports

When your starting quarterback is as durable and dependable as Philip Rivers is, your backup quarterback becomes somewhat of a moot point. This year, the Chargers' backup was Kellen Clemens. He's been in the league for nine years and is 31. He might not retire, but the Chargers tend to move through backup options.

3. Jarret Johnson

Jarret Johnson
Chris Humphreys - USA Today Sports

3. Jarret Johnson

Jarret Johnson
Chris Humphreys - USA Today Sports

Jarret Johnson has remained an excellent player for the Chargers and is one of their most consistent contributors on defense. He can still maintain this level of play, but he is 33 years old and has 12 years of experience in the NFL. As much as he can still contribute, he's reaching the point where many players decide that it's time and hang it up.

2. Ronnie Brown

Ronnie Brown
Chris Humphreys - USA Today Sports

2. Ronnie Brown

Ronnie Brown
Chris Humphreys - USA Today Sports

This is Brown's second stint with the Chargers in the past two seasons. The Chargers' crippling injuries, especially at running back, gave Brown some decent playing time in the back half of the season. Most running backs don't make it very far into their 30s, however, and Brown is 33. There is a pretty real possibility that the Chargers will get rid of him and that he subsequently retires.

1. Dwight Freeney

Dwight Freeney
Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

1. Dwight Freeney

Dwight Freeney
Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

Freeney has created quite the career for himself. He will be remembered for his dominant pass rushing ability with the Indianapolis Colts for a long time, but his time with the Chargers has been marred with injuries. He is now 34 years old, well past his athletic prime. He could be a decent player if he managed to stay healthy, but between his injury history and age, he may decide to end his legacy here.

Share Tweet