SAN DIEGO, CA (WCMH/AP) — The Chargers still haven’t broken their stalemate with defensive end Joey Bosa.
The No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft remains unsigned after rejecting the latest contract offer from the San Diego Chargers today.
Bosa, a star at Ohio State, is the only remaining player from the draft not to agree to terms with a team.READ MORE: Jerod’s Take: Why is Joey Bosa holding out on his contract?
The Chargers released a statement today about their ongoing contract negotiations. The team says its initial signing bonus payment was larger than any player in the NFL has received in the last two drafts, and Bosa was set to make more money this year than any other player drafted except for quarterback Carson Wentz.
“Joey’s ability to contribute for an entire rookie season has not been jeopardized by the valuable time he has missed with his coaches and his teammates,” the Charters said. “Since Joey will not report at this time, his ability to produce not just early in the season, but throughout the entire season, has been negatively impacted. As a result, we will restructure our offer since Joey will be unable to contribute for the full 16 game season without the adequate time on the practice field, in the classroom, and in the preseason games.”
With Bosa absent, Darius Philon, Tenny Palepoi and Damion Square are getting additional snaps.
“I look at it as a great opportunity for me,” said Philon, who has started the first two preseason games. “I can only do what the coaches ask me to do every day and focus on me getting better as a player and a person.”
Palepoi is coming off a knee injury which derailed his season last year.
“Regardless who is or isn’t here, I’m fighting for a job,” Palepoi said. “I’ve got to take care of myself.”
If Bosa signs, he can be used in abbreviated packages while he learns the defensive playbook. McCoy said Philon, Palepoi and Square will be better thanks to their increased work.
“We’re going to play everybody; if you have a uniform you are going to play,” McCoy said. “That is what good teams do up front, they are going to rotate guys and keep guys fresh. I just know that I’m extremely pleased with the way the guys have worked that are here.”The Associated Press contributed to this report.