Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers earned an A by re-signing Khalil Mack. Upgrading at running back with the durable Najee Harris was also good for a B+.
The Chargers have made 13 moves since the start of free agency. Seven have been re-signing in-house free agents while the other six have come externally.
As it stands, it’s a mixed bag. Joe Hortiz has been working the same bargain-bin style of management he showed last offseason while navigating the team’s murky 2024 cap situation. This year, the Chargers had one of the largest available cap spaces of any team, but the process has remained the same.
That’s mainly due to Hortiz’s goal of developing a very strong and lasting cycle of compensatory picks for the team. By keeping these contracts low, he’s able to maximize his chances at extra picks in future. So far, the process is working as the Chargers received three additional comp picks in the 2025 draft (two sixth-rounders, one seventh).
At any rate, it’s time to grade every free agent move by the Chargers thus far, but be sure to stop on back for every new move the Chargers make.
When the Chargers finally released Joey Bosa, the writing was on the wall that they were going to re-sign Khalil Mack for at least one more season. They did just that by handing him a fully-guaranteed $18 million deal that pays him handsomely. He’ll lead an edge room in 2025 that still features Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, and more than likely one new rookie from this year’s draft class.
The Chargers can still bring J.K. Dobbins back if the money and situation calls for it, but they most definitely upgraded the position if they do nothing else by signing the ever-durable Harris. All Harris has done since enter the NFL is rush for 1,000+ yards each season and stay healthy. He’s never missed a game in four seasons! Talk about a difference for the Chargers backfield.
He’s not a home-run hitter, but Greg Roman’s offense doesn’t need that. They’ll find juice in the backfield elsewhere, but a big back who can still make someone miss and produce doubles throughout an entire game will help the Bolts wear down opposing defenses.
I was a little concerned with this singing as Jackson did not grade well by Pro Football Focus in 2024 (187th out of 223 qualifying cornerbacks). However, you can’t scoff at five interceptions, a number not hit by a Chargers defender since safety Tre Boston in 2017.
Jackson wins with excellent speed and athleticism to stick in the hip pocket of receivers. He’s also best in zone coverage, something the Chargers play a lot of under DC Jesse Minter. This defensive staff got a lot out of rookies Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, which makes me confident Jackson will be able to play some of his best ball in LA.
Getting a starting corner for...
