What signing WR Andre Roberts means for Chargers

The Chargers are signing wide receiver Andre Roberts.

Entering the season, improving the special teams unit was supposed to be a priority.

However, through the first six weeks, the results in the return game have been lackluster.

Los Angeles had a four-person rotation at kick returner between Nasir Adderley, Larry Rountree, K.J. Hill, and Jalen Guyton. But the group only produced 16.5 yards per return.

Hill has served as the Bolts’ primary punt returner, but the third-year receiver amassed just 6.8 yards on six punt returns.

Following the blowout loss to the Ravens, head coach Brandon Staley hinted that it was a significant area of concern.

“In the kicking game, we can’t ask Justin to go 84 yards because the ball is on the 16-yard line because we have a bad return and now the crowd is going crazy,” Staley said.

According to Football Outsiders, the Chargers are dead last in average field position following a kickoff with an average starting field position at their own 21.34 yard-line.

Insert Roberts.

Roberts, the 12-year veteran, has established himself as one of the best in the business at fielding kicks and punts.

Before his short-lived stint with the Texans, Roberts was amid his prime.

From 2018 to 2020 with the Jets and Bills, Roberts picked up two All-Pro nods and trips to the Pro Bowl in each of those seasons.

With New York, Roberts finished with career bests for both punt and kickoff returns with 324 and 1,174 yards, respectively.

In his first season with Buffalo, Roberts returned 53 kicks for 888 yards. He followed that up with a league-leading 30.0 yards per return.

His time with Houston before he was released did not necessarily replicate that, as Roberts averaged just 4.1 yards per punt return and 21.4 yards on 18 kick returns this season.

Nonetheless, Staley believes he provides the team with an upgrade over Hill at punt returner and the others vying for the starting kick returner.

With Roberts soon-to-be officially on board, there is going to have to be some roster retooling.

In addition to the veteran return specialist, the Chargers are also anticipating the returns of Justin Jones, Kenneth Murray, and potentially Bryan Bulaga, who are all on the injured reserve.

Therefore, there will have to be a player or two that will likely be let go of or sent to the practice squad to make room for them.

Could it be Hill? One of the extra interior defenders, Forrest Merrill or Breiden Fehoko? Maybe one of the defensive backs, Kemon Hall or Trey Marshall?

Only time will tell. The bottom line is that Staley identified the return unit as a sore spot and quickly took action by jumping on a proven one made available just two days ago.