The NFL’s tampering period is now less than a month away, opening on March 10, with free agency officially beginning on March 12. As teams prepare for roster moves, players across the league are looking to strengthen their market value and secure the best possible contracts. With plenty of cap space, the Los Angeles Chargers are a team to keep an eye on during free agency.
Two Chargers cornerbacks have already taken steps toward free agency. In January, Kristian Fulton changed agencies, moving from Wasserman to Athletes First. Last offseason, Fulton signed a one-year, $3.1 million deal with Los Angeles, including $2.4 million guaranteed. Following what was arguably his best season in 2024, his change in representation suggests he’s aiming for a more lucrative contract this time around.
Fulton recorded career-best Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades in defense (68.9) and coverage (66.6) while setting a personal high in defensive snaps (827). He also posted his lowest missed tackle rate (11.9%) in a season. Despite past injury concerns, 2024 was his healthiest and most productive campaign yet.
Fulton isn’t the only Chargers cornerback looking for a strong market deal. Just recently, Asante Samuel Jr. also switched representation, leaving David Canter of GSE Worldwide to sign with Athletes First.
Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton change agents after Chargers contracts expired
Samuel’s 2024 season is more complicated to assess than Fulton’s. He did not appear in a game after the team’s bye week due to a shoulder injury.
He was placed on injured reserve before the first matchup against Denver and never returned to the field. At the team’s end-of-season media session, Samuel revealed that he experienced stinger symptoms in his shoulder during practice leading up to the Denver game. Despite this setback, he stated that his goal remains to return to the Chargers.
Pro Football Focus currently projects Samuel to land a three-year, $43.5 million contract in free agency, ranking him as the 26th-best available free agent. In contrast, Fulton was not included in PFF’s initial top 100 free agents list and did not receive a contract projection.
With Samuel coming off his rookie deal and Fulton no longer seeking a short-term “prove it” contract, their decision to switch representation to Athletes First suggests that neither player will come cheap if the Chargers hope to retain them.
Be the first to comment