The 2021 offseason is well underway. It’s time for us to check in with the rest of the AFC West and see what has been going on with the Kansas City Chiefs’ division rivals. Below you’ll find some of the top stories of the past week for the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders.

No charges filed against Von Miller

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

“The police department completed its investigation on Feb. 23 and submitted the results to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for review. After review, the D.A.’s office decided to not charge Miller.”

Miller was under criminal investigation by the Parker Police Department for undisclosed reasons. They’ve since closed their investigation and decided against filing charges. That’s good news for Miller and the Broncos as they seek to come to an agreement on a salary for the 2020 NFL season.

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Broncos place franchise tag on Justin Simmons

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“Simmons (6-2, 202 pounds) was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft out of Boston College. He is now considered one of the top safeties in the NFL. Simmons made the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster in 2020 and earned second-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press in 2019.”

Simmons will be sticking around in the Broncos secondary for at least another year. Denver placed the franchise tag on him, costing approximately $13.7 million in cap space this season. They’ll need to sign him to a long-term contract by mid-July or he’ll be forced to play on the tag this season.

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Chargers have 9th-most salary cap space in NFL

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

“The Chargers have the ninth-most salary cap space in the NFL, according to an estimate from Over The Cap. A $180.5 million cap estimate to calculate the current cap space for each time was used because the NFL has not yet set the official cap number for the 2021 season.”

Los Angeles has a lot of money to spend in free agency and they’d be wise to invest it. Justin Herbert is going to need help in his second year. New HC Brandon Staley will likely look to build the defense in his image.

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Chargers actively shopping OL Trai Turner

“After being acquired in a trade that involved tackle Russell Okung last offseason, the thought was that Turner was going to be an immediate upgrade at the right guard spot.

However, the five-time Pro Bowler failed to live up to expectations. Turner missed seven games and when he was on the field, his play was lackluster.“

Turner was once an acquisition that many believed could help anchor the offensive line for the Chargers. Availability and effort were an issue in 2020, as he only played nine games on the season.

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Mike Mayock says Raiders asked too much of failed draft pick Lynn Bowden Jr.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“Part of Mayock’s angst revolved around Lynn Bowden Jr., one of his three third-round picks from a year ago. The Raiders tried to convert the college quarterback and wide receiver into a running back, a daring prospect in any campaign, and a doomed idea during a pandemic, as Mayock explains.”

Mayock hasn’t exactly proven to be a great evaluator during his tenure as general manager. Bowden Jr. will go down as another failed pick by the draft analyst turned general manager. He bit off more than he could chew, attempting to convert the former QB into something that he wasn’t.

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Raiders to release LG Richie Incognito

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“The news of Incognito’s release comes a day after news that fellow starting guard Gabe Jackson will also be released by the Raiders. Jackson’s release saves the team $9.6 million, clearing a total of over $15 million with these two cuts.”

The guard position is undergoing a transformation in Las Vegas. They’ve now released two interior offensive linemen in the past week. It speaks to the depth of the draft class and the perceived availability of guards in free agency.

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