The Los Angeles Chargers got much criticism during the offseason due to their frugal spending habits and lack of willingness to bring in big names. However, in Week 1 against the reigning Super Bowl runner-ups, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chargers shocked the world and pulled off their first victory against the Chiefs in 1440 days.
This victory is due in large part to said frugal signees, guys who specifically gutted it out in an unconventional prime time game.
2 Chargers Free Agents Had Underrated Performances in Week 1
Mekhi Becton – Really “Gutted” It Out
While Mekhi Becton is not a true “underrated” Chargers free agent, he really went under the radar during the free agent signing process. Teams simply passed on him during this process. This is even though he had a healthy season where he helped lead the Eagles to an incredible rushing offense, en route to the Super Bowl.
The Chargers took a chance and found him for a bargain: a two-year, $20 million deal. Becton had a shaky off-season due to unspecified knee injuries and was unable to really practice for the majority of the off-season. Lo and behold, it was said he would be ready for the Chargers Week 1 matchup. Week 1 comes, and Becton is added to the injury list with an illness.
Speculation was stomach issues, which are common for those traveling outside of their home country. The former Eagles Super Bowl winner decided to truly “gut” it out and suit up against a Chiefs defense that has Chris Jones as his matchup. Becton won his matchup, passing the eye test, not allowing any sacks, and blocking in the run game from the first whistle.
A valiant performance for the marquee Chargers Free Agent signee.
Jim Harbaugh told reporters in Brazil that Mekhi Becton was ill, comparing Becton’s performance tonight to Michael Jordan’s flu game.
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) September 6, 2025
Donte Jackson – Ups & Downs, But a Truly Underrated Performance
Donte Jackson was able to cash in a two-year $13-million contract with the Chargers after a successful season in Pittsburgh. This contract comes in with the theme of bargain free agent signings for the Chargers, as his impressive five-interception season should have merited a contract closer to the top of the NFL cornerback contract values.
Jackson’s contract APY (Average Per Year) is 36th out of all Cornerback contracts, getting paid lower than some teams’ CB2s or CB3s. For example, the Jaguars have four cornerbacks ahead of Jackson, if you were to include Travis Hunter on this list.
So, with Jackson flying under the radar, the Chargers were happy to add him as a free agent to their defensive corp, giving him the inside lane to be CB1 for this Jesse Minter-led defense.
Insert the former Panthers and Steelers Cornerback in the Chargers Week 1 matchup against the Chiefs, Jackson balls out with multiple plays. Whether it was crucial tackles or pass deflections, Jackson found himself all over the field, playing with his hair on fire.
Unfortunately, this performance was slightly undermined by two specific plays. First, his lucky play where Hollywood Brown dropped a pass that most likely could have been a long touchdown, due to Jackson playing overly aggressively. Secondly, most notably, Patrick Mahomes trucked Jackson on a scramble near the sideline. A play will be seen everywhere, even if Jackson purposefully gave up his pursuit, expecting Mahomes to jog to the sideline and finish his scramble attempt.
Main Photo Credit: Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images
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