Three Players the Chargers Must Re-Sign
With the Super Bowl just days away, teams are starting to shift their focus to the offseason. Free agency is just over a month away and the NFL Draft will be here quicker than we know it. Fans have started to float names of players they would like to see added to their favorite organizations. However, something that fans tend to overlook is who their teams should re-sign. It is quickly forgotten that front offices need to take care of their players before making a move from outside.
The Los Angeles Chargers are heading into offseason number two under Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh. After a very successful offseason last year, the Chargers saw their franchise go 11-6 and clinch a playoff berth. Heading into the offseason in 2025, the Bolts have 30 players heading into free agency. With plenty of cap space and big expectations for the 2025 season, the Chargers are expected to have a completely different-looking team from this year. Here are three players that the Chargers should prioritize and make sure are back in powder blue.
After mulling retirement following the loss to the Houston Texans, Khalil Mack has decided that he will be playing in 2025. Mack led the Chargers in sacks two seasons ago and added six this year. His veteran leadership and locker room presence can not be underestimated. Mack can continue to be a great mentor for Tuli Tuipulotu and secure up the Chargers edge room for at least one more year.
26-year-old safety Elijah Molden was a great story for the Chargers. He was traded by the Tennessee Titans right after the preseason ended and was a pleasant surprise on the field under Jesse Minter’s defense. Molden had a career-high this season in interceptions with three and total tackles with 75. When healthy, he allowed Minter to move Derwin James to play at the line of scrimmage and put him and Alohi Gilman up top. It would be very difficult to find a replacement for Molden as he has cemented himself as a key part of this defense.
Heading into training camp last season, the interior defensive line was a big question mark. The addition of Poona Ford was a big surprise for the Bolts as he tied a career-high in sacks, constantly was a run-stopper in the middle of the line, and brought good pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He was by far the big anchor on the line and was very productive in his first season with the Chargers. Ford was graded out as one of the best defensive linemen in the league. Re-signing Ford should be a priority and can be an answer to the defensive line for the next couple of years.
The Chargers are estimated to have around $64 million in cap space. All of these three players should not break the bank and have expressed interest in returning to the team. Honorable mentions that the Chargers should try to re-sign are running back J.K. Dobbins and defensive lineman Teair Tart. The NFL free agency begins on March 12th.
