Chargers Active in Early Phase Leading into Free Agency

As the NFL approaches the beginning of the 2025 League Year and the official start of the Free Agency signing period, the Los Angeles Chargers have already begun reshaping their roster.

By Austin Gage | Contributing Sports Writer

Despite defying most NFL followers’ expectations and making the playoffs last season, the Los Angeles Chargers are not standing pat as they continue to mold their roster for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.

Although the season for the Bolts ended on a sour note with a disappointing 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round, there was plenty of success for head coach Jim Harbaugh in his first season with the franchise. A stout defense with an offense that gave the ball away the second-least in the league provided bright spots.

With that said, there were ugly moments. The offense stalled out in key moments throughout the season, perhaps none greater than the meltdown in the second half against the Texans that saw quarterback Justin Herbert finish the playoff matchup with four interceptions thrown after only throwing three the entire regular season.

Los Angeles made a few moves within the last week before talking to other unrestricted free agents. Starting in-house, a few notable players were involved with key transactions.

One of those included a goodbye to one of the franchise’s best players over the last decade: edge rusher Joey Bosa. Bosa, along with running back Gus Edwards, was released within the past week as the Chargers looked to free up some cap space as they turned their attention to the negotiation period and further offseason process.

The release of Bosa will ache the hearts of Chargers fans as the former third-overall pick will take his talents to Buffalo with a one-year deal worth over $12 million. In his Charger career, he ended with 72 sacks and gathered five Pro Bowls and the 2016 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. When healthy, Bosa maintained status as being one of the best in the league at getting after the quarterback, but his battles with injuries proved to be an all-to-common theme.

On the flip side, the Bolts re-signed safety Elijah Molden to a three-year, $18.25 million contract. Playing with fellow safeties Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman, Molden enjoyed a career year to the tune of 75 tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defended. Despite suffering a broken leg in Week 17, Los Angeles awarded him with an extension and brought back one of their key defensive players.

As the negotiation period opened, the Chargers made sure to retain another few defensive pieces from the roster last season. First, the team reached an agreement with edge rusher Khalil Mack on a one-year deal worth $18 million, fully guaranteed. Mack, who has enjoyed an illustrious career so far with nine Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams and the 2016 AP Defensive Player of the Year, still has a lot left in the tank. His 2023 season included a career-high 17 sacks and he made his third straight Pro Bowl appearance this past season.

Along with Mack, the Bolts brought back defensive tackle Teair Tart, center Bradley Bozeman and punter J.K. Scott. All three were solid contributors for Los Angeles in 2024, and the moves to bring them back signal general manager Joe Hortiz’s willingness to reward current players for beneficial play when the cap and contract align.

Looking outwards, the Chargers also made a few agreements with a pair of ex-Pittsburgh Steelers on the first few days of unrestricted free agents trying to find their new (or, sometimes, same) home.

Starting in the secondary, the team agreed to terms with cornerback Donte Jackson. For two years, $13 million total, Jackson will step in and likely start in place of current free agent cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton. The former Steeler and Carolina Panther is flying high off a productive season as he recorded five interceptions, eight passes defended and 38 tackles. The veteran defensive back will slot into a cornerback room that includes solid young pieces in Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still.

Next, former first-round running back Najee Harris agreed to terms with Los Angeles. After four seasons with Pittsburgh where he did not miss a single game, the powerback will take his talents to sunny Southern California. Harris is as consistent as they come, reaching the 1,000-yard rushing mark in all four seasons. With a one-year deal maxing out at $9.5 million, he will step into a Harbaugh-style run system as the apparent starter for the moment as last year’s lead backs J.K. Dobbins and Edwards remain free agents.

As the official Free Agency signing period begins at 1:00 p.m. PST, the Chargers will look to remain very active as they seemingly enter the league’s new year with the most cap space after the New England Patriots’ activity in the negotiation period.

Despite defying most NFL followers’ expectations and making the playoffs last season, the Los Angeles Chargers are not standing pat as they continue to mold their roster for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.

Although the season for the Bolts ended on a sour note with a disappointing 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round, there was plenty of success for head coach Jim Harbaugh in his first season with the franchise. A stout defense with an offense that gave the ball away the second-least in the league provided bright spots.

With that said, there were ugly moments. The offense stalled out in key moments throughout the season, perhaps none greater than the meltdown in the second half against the Texans that saw quarterback Justin Herbert finish the playoff matchup with four interceptions thrown after only throwing three the entire regular season.

Los Angeles made a few moves within the last week before talking to other unrestricted free agents. Starting in-house, a few notable players were involved with key transactions.

One of those included a goodbye to one of the franchise’s best players over the last decade: edge rusher Joey Bosa. Bosa, along with running back Gus Edwards, was released within the past week as the Chargers looked to free up some cap space as they turned their attention to the negotiation period and further offseason process.

The release of Bosa will ache the hearts of Chargers fans as the former third-overall pick will take his talents to Buffalo with a one-year deal worth over $12 million. In his Charger career, he ended with 72 sacks and gathered five Pro Bowls and the 2016 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. When healthy, Bosa maintained status as being one of the best in the league at getting after the quarterback, but his battles with injuries proved to be an all-to-common theme.

On the flip side, the Bolts re-signed safety Elijah Molden to a three-year, $18.25 million contract. Playing with fellow safeties Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman, Molden enjoyed a career year to the tune of 75 tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defended. Despite suffering a broken leg in Week 17, Los Angeles awarded him with an extension and brought back one of their key defensive players.

As the negotiation period opened, the Chargers made sure to retain another few defensive pieces from the roster last season. First, the team reached an agreement with edge rusher Khalil Mack on a one-year deal worth $18 million, fully guaranteed. Mack, who has enjoyed an illustrious career so far with nine Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams and the 2016 AP Defensive Player of the Year, still has a lot left in the tank. His 2023 season included a career-high 17 sacks and he made his third straight Pro Bowl appearance this past season.

Along with Mack, the Bolts brought back defensive tackle Teair Tart, center Bradley Bozeman and punter J.K. Scott. All three were solid contributors for Los Angeles in 2024, and the moves to bring them back signal general manager Joe Hortiz’s willingness to reward current players for beneficial play when the cap and contract align.

Looking outwards, the Chargers also made a few agreements with a pair of ex-Pittsburgh Steelers on the first few days of unrestricted free agents trying to find their new (or, sometimes, same) home.

Starting in the secondary, the team agreed to terms with cornerback Donte Jackson. For two years, $13 million total, Jackson will step in and likely start in place of current free agent cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton. The former Steeler and Carolina Panther is flying high off a productive season as he recorded five interceptions, eight passes defended and 38 tackles. The veteran defensive back will slot into a cornerback room that includes solid young pieces in Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still.

Next, former first-round running back Najee Harris agreed to terms with Los Angeles. After four seasons with Pittsburgh where he did not miss a single game, the powerback will take his talents to sunny Southern California. Harris is as consistent as they come, reaching the 1,000-yard rushing mark in all four seasons. With a one-year deal maxing out at $9.5 million, he will step into a Harbaugh-style run system as the apparent starter for the moment as last year’s lead backs J.K. Dobbins and Edwards remain free agents.

As the official Free Agency signing period begins at 1:00 p.m. PST, the Chargers will look to remain very active as they seemingly enter the league’s new year with the most cap space after the New England Patriots’ activity in the negotiation period.