Now that the season is over, the Chargers are turning their attention to building their roster for 2025. The first step is deciding which of their 30 looming free agents they will bring back.
Here are six of them that we want to make sure are re-signed.
EDGE Khalil Mack
The Chargers have made it clear that they would love to have Mack back, but he will now take the time to decide what he would like to do, with retirement being a potential option. Even though he will be 34 years old next season, Mack still has some gas left in the tank. He can still get after the quarterback and defend the run at a high level. Plus, Los Angeles could benefit from having a proven veteran in the edge defender room if the team moves on from Joey Bosa.
RB J.K. Dobbins
The Chargers took a chance on injury-riddled Dobbins, which paid off, as he was highly impactful. For the most part, he stayed healthy throughout the season, showing the player he was in college and during his rookie season. In 13 games, Dobbins rushed for 905 yards and nine touchdowns. After proving himself, he should return as the team’s primary back.
DL Poona Ford
How Ford wasn’t named a Pro Bowler is beyond me. Ford was a key cog on the defensive line, making his most significant impact against the run, where he was clogging running lanes, taking on double teams, and penetrating the backfield. He was the seventh-best defensive lineman out of 219 in run defense grade (78.8), according to Pro Football Focus. Ford had the fifth-best overall grade among all defensive linemen (85.1)
DL Teair Tart
If the Chargers want to build continuity along the defensive line, something they haven’t done in many years, it would be wise to bring back another key contributor. Tart wreaked havoc, not just against the run, but as a pass rusher. I imagine Tart won’t be as expensive as Ford might be, making this a no-brainer of a re-sign.
S Elijah Molden
Like Tart, Molden is another former Titans player who was signed by the Chargers right before the season and was an excellent player. Molden was a playmaker on the back end before his season-ending injury, finishing with career-highs in tackles (75), interceptions (3) and passes defended (7). His 75.6 PFF overall grade ranked 12th among qualified safeties, and his 75.4 PFF coverage grade was 11th.
S Tony Jefferson
Jefferson went from being retired and serving as a scouting intern for the Ravens to returning to the NFL and making plays for the Chargers every time he played, including the big forced and recovered fumble in the playoff game against the Texans. Even though he will be 33, Jefferson has made it clear that he wants to continue playing, so why not keep the SoCal native? Plus, it would be good to have another veteran in the safety room.