Poona Ford will remain in Los Angeles next season, but he will not be a member of the Chargers. The veteran defensive lineman has a deal in place with the Rams.
This will be a three-year pact, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. The deal is worth just under $30MM and includes $17MM in guarantees. That marks a notable raise compared to Ford’s one-year Chargers contract from last year.
Not seeing too much time with the Bills in 2023, Ford played a much bigger role with the Bolts. Logging a 32% snap share in 2023 with Buffalo (in eight games), Ford stepped in as a starter on Jim Harbaugh’s low-cost defensive line. The former Seahawk stood out, ranking as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 overall interior defender.
Ford, 29, matched his career high with eight tackles for loss and contributed three sacks to help Jesse Minter’s defense climb to No. 1 in points allowed. The Bolts relied on other low-cost cogs to make this ascent — after underachieving during Brandon Staley’s time in charge — but Ford was quite important, starting every game the team played during a rebound season. The seven-year vet also batted down five passes and intercepted another.
Quietly running his career start total to 81 (after a four-season run as a Seattle first-stringer), Ford did well to reestablish his value before it was too late to fetch a quality contract. This deal also dwarfs his two-year, $12.4MM Seattle pact from earlier this decade. Ford will join a Rams team that lost two-year nose tackle Bobby Brown to the Panthers. Ford will be in position to play alongside Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske up front with the Rams.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.