Chargers make decision on fifth-year option of former Notre Dame star Jerry Tillery

The Los Angeles Chargers have come to a surprising decision regarding former Notre Dame defensive lineman Jerry Tillery. The Chargers, who selected Tillery with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, have declined his fifth-year option, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

But even though the Chargers are declining Tillery’s fifth-year option, Rapoport reports that he still remains in the team’s long-term plans.

“#Chargers are declining the 5th-year option for DL Jerry Tillery, source said, though he remains firmly in their long-term plans,” Rapoport tweeted. “Tillery comes off the most productive year yet, with 51 tackles and 4.5 sacks. GM Tom Telesco said recently, ‘I expect an even bigger role this year.'”

As a rookie in 2019, Tillery played in 15 games with three starts, totaling 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and three quarterback hits. In 2020, he started 11 of the Chargers’ 16 games, finishing with 30 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, 14 quarterback hits, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

This past season, Tillery had his most productive season yet for the Chargers. In 16 games, 15 of which were starts, he had 51 tackles, six tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 14 quarterback hits.

Tillery is now entering a contract year with the Chargers

The Chargers decision to decline Tillery’s fifth-year option does not impact his status for next season. But he will now be entering a contract year, with his rookie deal now due to expire following the 2022 season.

The decision might be a little surprising, but Tillery can now sign a new deal a year earlier than he probably expected. If he has a big year, he can hit free agency and test his value on the market.

At Notre Dame, Tillery finished with 134 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in his four-year career. In 2017, he had 56 tackles with nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. During the 2018 season, Tillery had 20 tackles but 9.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles.

The Chargers believed in Tillery enough to use a first-round pick on him, and now they hope that he is able to play up to that potential with a new contract on the line.