Tom Telesco: With QB in a rookie deal and plenty of space, we can attack differently this year

With one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the game, the Chargers were frustrated to finish the season at 9-8 to miss the playoffs.

But the Los Angeles championship window should be open. Justin Herbert Not even eligible for a contract extension until after the 2022 season. The Chargers have over $56 million in cap space to spend.

With that in mind, general manager Tom Telesco said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that he plans to use those resources to put the team in the best possible position for the championship.

“We try to be aggressive every year, it just depends on what our resources and circumstances are at that point,” Telesco said, via Gilbert Manzano of Southern California Newsgroup. “You just have to attack in different ways. This year we can attack a little differently because we have a lot of space and we have a midfielder in a rookie deal. But you know, the goal every year is the same. The goal is to challenge and compete for the championship.

“But your circumstances change in terms of cap space, as far as where your roster is, where is your quarterback, do you have a quarterback? Does it not? It’s completely different, but it doesn’t change our target for it. Go to the tournament. “

The Charger went 69-76 with a pair of post-season debuts in Telesco’s nine seasons as GM