HEADLINES

Los Angeles Chargers News & Rumors

Chargers To Add CB Benjamin St-Juste

March 12th, 2025 at 4:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

At the same time the Commanders were adding Jonathan Jones, they will say farewell to a four-year cornerback contributor. Benjamin St-Juste is heading elsewhere.

The Chargers are signing the former Washington Day 2 draftee, according to his agent. The Bolts lost 2024 starter Kristian Fulton to the Chiefs this week, while Asante Samuel Jr. is unsigned. After St-Juste made his way south from Montreal in 2021, he will head west to a retooling Chargers corner corps.

St-Juste saw more time on the perimeter than inside last season, marking a change for a player who logged 332 slot snaps in 2023. The 6-foot-3 defender has a frame more suited for the outside, also going 200 pounds, and Washington’s new staff used him almost exclusively on the boundary in 2024. The results were not great, however.

While Pro Football Focus graded St-Juste as a bottom-five cornerback last season, Pro-Football-Reference’s coverage metrics charged him with four touchdowns allowed as the closest defender and having regressed in completion percentage and passer rating allowed. The Commanders benched St-Juste in Week 16 and only used him on 24 total playoff snaps. In 2022 and ’23, however, St-Juste allowed 87.1 and 87.3 passer ratings as the closest defender. In 2022, he impressed by yielding a paltry 47.7% completion rate. The Commanders boasted a top-10 defense that year but cratered in the Ron Rivera-Jack Del Rio finale a year later.

The Commanders have in-season trade pickup Marshon Lattimore signed, and the team used a second-round pick to nab Mike Sainristil last year. Although Noah Igbinoghene is a free agent, Jones has extensive experience playing inside and outside. He is leaving the Patriots after 10 seasons.

Jesse Minter transformed a defense that ranked outside the top 20 throughout Brandon Staley’s tenure into one that led the league in yards allowed. The Bolts have now added St-Juste and Donte Jackson; the veteran duo will join promising rookie Tarheeb Still among L.A. CBs.

Chargers To Re-Sign LB Denzel Perryman

March 12th, 2025 at 4:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Denzel Perryman served as a full-time starter in 2024, his return season with the Chargers. The veteran linebacker will remain in place for 2025.

Perryman plans to re-sign on a one-year deal, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. This will be a $3.65MM pact. The former Pro Bowler was limited to 11 games last season, but he operated as a key figure on defense during that time while also chipping in on special teams.

Perryman began his career with the Chargers as a second-round pick out of Miami while the team was still in San Diego. Injuries were a limiting factor for Perryman back then, as well, as he only played in 69 of a possible 96 games in his six seasons with the team.

Perryman departed Los Angeles in 2021 as a free agent, signing with the Panthers, but he was traded to Las Vegas before the season even started. With the Raiders that season, Perryman had the healthiest season of his career, starting in all 15 game appearances.

Finally able to put together a full season, Perryman showed what he could do when healthy, earning his first and only Pro Bowl selection with 154 total tackles (6th in the league that season). Despite only appearing in 12 games the next year, Perryman put forth another strong performance, with 83 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. He signed a one-year deal to join the Texans in 2023, starting 11 of 12 game appearances for the second straight year.

Last season, he made his return to Southern California. In his age-32 season, Perryman’s contributions were average as he served more importantly as a veteran leader for young linebackers like Troy Dye and Daiyan Henley. Dye joins Perryman as a re-signed linebacker, while Nick Niemann departed for Houston in free agency and Shaquille Quarterman, another depth/special teams piece is a free agent, as well. Henley and Perryman should continue to work as starters with Dye spelling Perryman in obvious pass situations.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

Chargers Re-Sign LB Troy Dye, WR Jalen Reagor

March 12th, 2025 at 12:20pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Chargers are re-signing veteran linebacker Troy Dye, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Dye’s contract is worth $5.5MM over two years with a maximum value of $8.5MM with incentives, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. Multiple other teams were interested, but Dye opted to stay on the West Coast after growing up in California and playing college football at Oregon.

Dye appeared in all 17 games (five starts) for the Chargers in 2024 with a rotational role on defense and an 80% snap share on special teams. He finished the season with career-highs of 57 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss.

The 28-year-old was originally a fourth-round pick by the Vikings in 2020. He primarily played special teams in Minnesota with eight starts on defense across four years. He signed a one-year, $1.79MM deal with the Chargers in 2024 and is now under contract with the team through the 2026 season.

The Chargers also announced the re-signing of wide receiver Jalen Reagor. The 26-year-old appeared in eight games with seven receptions for 100 yards, but could be in line for a bigger role in 2025 after the departure of Josh Palmer.

Reagor was an Eagles first-round pick in 2020 who struggled to live up to his draft billing in Philadelphia. He was traded to the Vikings ahead of the 2022 season and waived after another disappointing year. Reagor spent 2023 with the Patriots, but couldn’t make the 53-man roster in 2024. He then joined the Chargers’ practice squad in September and was promoted to the active roster in November.

Chargers To Sign RB Najee Harris

March 11th, 2025 at 8:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 11: In terms of base value, Harris will be tied to $5.25MM in 2025, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes. Incentives cover the rest of the contract. While this is more than the Chargers gave Dobbins last year, it certainly checks in as less than Harris was expected to command.

MARCH 10: The Chargers’ rumored interest in Najee Harris will produce an agreement. After four Steelers seasons, Harris is heading west on a one-year deal.

Harris will sign with Los Angeles’ AFC team on a contract worth up to $9.5MM, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. A Bolts team that cut Gus Edwards and has not re-signed J.K. Dobbins will turn to Harris, who was the Steelers’ starting RB in each of their games since 2021.

This agreement comes hours after the Steelers placed a second-round RFA tender on Jaylen Warren. This will make the Harris three-year Harris change-of-pace option harder to pry away, but the Steelers will be in the running back market again now. Although the team was not believed to be out on Harris, not picking up his fifth-year option in 2024 provided a decent indication a 2025 separation would be acceptable.

A 2021 first-round pick out of Miami, Harris has played through injuries to start every game in his four-year career. After a 1,200-yard rookie season, Harris finished with 1,034, 1,035 and 1,043. Oozing consistency, Harris also does not bring much flash. Next Gen Stats rated him in the bottom third in rush yards over expected in 2022 and ’24, though the metric was oddly bullish on the between-the-tackles grinder in 2023.

Harris, 27, may well have a skillset that appears to Jim Harbaugh. The team did not see much from the player it previously sought as its power back — Edwards — but a newly run-oriented Bolts operation could generate plenty from Harris in 2025. Harris needing one-year deal does not bode well for his future value, however. Already accumulating 1,097 carries, the durable back will be set to log at least 200 more with the Bolts this season. That will wind his mileage to a potentially undesirable place come 2025.

Though, last year’s free agency showed teams willing to take chances on veterans at the position. Successful seasons already brought Saquon Barkley an extension and Aaron Jones a substantial raise. Derrick Henry, this generation’s RB outlier, also played himself into position for a Ravens pay bump after his 1,900-yard rushing season. Harris not being able to cash in now, after displaying durability and consistency, may be a worrying sign for his post-2025 earning potential.

Chargers To Meet With TE Evan Engram

March 11th, 2025 at 6:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Both the Broncos and Chargers carried similar issues into the playoffs, as both teams made surprise postseason voyages with top-heavy skill-position groups. Where the Broncos relied on Courtland Sutton, the Chargers depended on Ladd McConkey.

Neither team carries much at tight end, but they may be vying for Evan Engram. Following his Jaguars release, Engram visited the Broncos but left without a deal. The Chargers are throwing their hat in this ring, as NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicates they have booked an Engram visit.

Hayden Hurst played out a one-year deal with the Bolts, who enjoyed better production from their tight end spot than the Broncos. No Bronco TE surpassed 200 yards last season, while Will Dissly took over as the Bolts’ leading pass catcher at the position. The ex-Seahawk posted a 481-yard season and remains under contract. Stone Smartt (208 yards) has not yet been tendered as an RFA.

The Jags moved on from Engram despite the ex-Giants draftee breaking and then re-breaking a franchise record for single-season tight end yardage. After a 766-yard 2023 that featured Engram scoring a touchdown in the Jaguars’ wild-card shootout/collapse against the Chargers, he posted 963 yards in 2024. Engram caught 114 passes in 2023, after signing a three-year extension; only Jimmy Smith‘s 1999 featured more catches (116) by a Jaguar.

Previously tied to a three-year, $41.25MM deal, Engram joined Christian Kirk as prominent Trevor Lawrence weapons shipped out this month. Engram has two Pro Bowls (2017, 2020) on his resume and is going into an age-31 season. Juwan Johnson just scored a Saints deal worth just more than $10MM per season. Although he is going into an age-29 campaign, Engram has outperformed Johnson. He will probably be eyeing a comparable contract, as this is not a strong tight end market.

Chargers Re-Sign C Bradley Bozeman, P J.K. Scott

March 10th, 2025 at 7:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

For the second time, Bradley Bozeman has reached an agreement to re-sign with a team. After the Panthers reupped the veteran center in 2023, he is sticking with the Chargers.

The Bolts re-signed Bozeman and punter JK Scott on Monday. Bozeman, 30, played for just $1.13MM with the Chargers last season. The Panthers had given him a raise in 2023, but after playing for the veteran minimum last season, Bozeman may not match the $6MM-per-year deal he was previously on as a Panther.

Despite Bozeman’s low-end contract, he started 17 games for the Chargers. That marked the former Raven’s second straight season of perfect attendance. Pro Football Focus was not particularly complimentary of Bozeman’s initial Chargers year, ranking him 29th among center regulars. That came after the advanced metrics website placed him 21st in 2023.

Los Angeles may not be eyeing Bozeman as a starter once again. GM Joe Hortiz said recently (via The Athletic’s Daniel Popper) that former first-round pick Zion Johnson will be tried at center this offseason. The Bolts, who had previously relocated Trey Pipkins from tackle to guard, have used Johnson as a starting guard — both LG and RG — in each of his three seasons.

Hortiz expressed confidence Johnson could make the transition, despite not playing center at Boston College, either. While Pipkins remains on Los Angeles’ roster, he profiles as a cut candidate, Popper adds. The Chargers could save $6.75MM by releasing the converted tackle, who has been with the team since 2019.

A seven-year veteran, Scott has been the Chargers’ punter for the past three seasons. The 29-year-old specialist has averaged just north of 46 yards per punt in each of the past two seasons.

Chargers Pursuing RB Najee Harris

March 10th, 2025 at 6:46pm CST by Rory Parks

The Chargers are pursuing free agent running back Najee Harris, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Earlier today, The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson reported that Harris had been saying goodbye to some of his Steelers teammates, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler subsequently noted the Bolts could have interest.

Harris is more of a grinder than explosive talent, but he is about as consistent as it gets at the position. The 2021 first-rounder has played through injuries to start every game in his four-year career. After a 1,200-yard rookie season, Harris finished with 1,034, 1,035 and 1,043 over the next three. Next Gen Stats has not viewed him as an efficient ball-carrier, however, ranking him in the bottom third in rush yards over expected in 2024 and second-to-last in 2022. A finish in the top third of this metric did transpire in 2023, perhaps marking one of Harris’ few inconsistencies in a career that has also featured between six and eight rushing TDs each season.

Los Angeles is certainly in need at the running back position, as the club released Gus Edwards several days ago and could lose J.K. Dobbins to free agency. While Harris has established himself as a high-floor, low-ceiling type of player, Chargers offensive coordinator and run game guru Greg Roman — who is plenty familiar with Harris after having operated as the Ravens’ OC for the first two years of the RB’s career — may be able to help him find another level.

Even if that does not come to pass, there is plenty of value in having a steady, durable ball carrier near the top of the depth chart. Plus, regardless of whether the Chargers can push a Harris deal across the finish line, the team could certainly seek another addition in a draft lauded for its RB talent.

The Steelers will likewise be on the lookout for RB help. While Pittsburgh has retained Harris’ more dyamic running mate, Jaylen Warren, via the second-round RFA tender, the cupboard is largely bare beyond that (save for the change-of-pace looks that Cordarrelle Patterson can provide). The need for rushing talent will be heightened if the team fills its quarterback position with the 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, whose running ability will not make anyone forget Justin Fields.

QB Jameis Winston In Conversation With 49ers, Chargers

March 10th, 2025 at 6:27pm CST by Ely Allen

It’s looks like West Coast could be the best coast for veteran quarterback Jameis Winston, as senior NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that the recent backup has been in conversation with the 49ers and Chargers for potential backup roles. While it doesn’t appear that he’s a priority in New York, Anderson notes that the Giants could get involved here, too, depending on the outcome of talks with other passing options.

The former No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 NFL Draft has slowly seen a demotion in his NFL career, going from a full-time starter in Tampa Bay to part-time starting roles in New Orleans and Cleveland. During a five-year stint to start his career with the Buccaneers, Winston had started most every game that he was available, aside from a short period in 2018 as he served a suspension for allegedly groping a female Uber driver and had to win his job back from Ryan Fitzpatrick.

In 2020, he signed with the Saints as a backup to Drew Brees but took over the starting job the next year, before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. The following two years saw him serve in New Orleans as a backup to Andy Dalton and Derek Carr. This past season, he signed on with the Browns to serve as a backup to Deshaun Watson, ultimately finding himself in the starting lineup once again when Watson was ruled out for the season with an Achilles tendon tear.

Both situations in San Francisco and Los Angeles are obvious backup situations behind young quarterbacks who have an extremely solid hold on their starting jobs. The Chargers recently gave Justin Herbert an extension that, at the time, made him the highest-paid player in the NFL, though he was quickly surpassed by Joe Burrow. Brock Purdy isn’t quite there yet, though he will finally make multi-millions in 2025, but the 49ers have been in conversations about extending him for some time now.

In San Francisco, the 49ers would be bringing in Winston as an improvement over Tanner Mordecai, as Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen head to free agency this week. The Chargers are simply looking to fill their depth chart at the position as they currently don’t have anyone under contract behind Herbert; Taylor Heinicke and Easton Stick are set to be free agents, as well.

The Giants have several options on the table as the explore options with veteran free agents like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson after watching other options like Sam Darnold and Justin Fields come off the market. Winston would actually be a smart signing for them as they’ve also been heavily linked to using their No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on a quarterback. If they do draft a passer in the first round, Winston has proved he can be an effective starter to bridge the gap until the rookie is ready to take over.

Chargers, CB Donte Jackson Agree To Deal

March 10th, 2025 at 3:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Donte Jackson is the latest cornerback to find a new home on Monday. The veteran has an agreement in place with the Chargers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

This will be a two-year deal, Schefter adds. Jackson can earn $13MM on his latest pact. After a one-and-done season in Pittsburgh, he will look to secure a starting role on a Chargers team which may lose Asante Samuel Jr. in the near future.

Samuel has yet to sign anywhere just yet, but after a four-game 2024 season, the second-generation NFL corner — who obviously spent much more time in Brandon Staley’s defense than Jesse Minter’s — may heading out of L.A. soon. Enter Jackson, who will relocate for a second straight offseason. After being part of Diontae Johnson‘s first of many 2024 transactions, Jackson will join a Chargers team that also has Kristian Fulton out of contract.

Although the Steelers re-signed Cameron Sutton after his offseason arrest led to a Lions release, Jackson logged a higher snap share on defense. Jackson, 29, started all 15 games he played with the Steelers and played 82% of the team’s defensive snaps. He intercepted five passes for Mike Tomlin’s team.

The Chargers are in disagreement with Pro Football Focus re: Jackson, as the advanced metrics site graded him 110th overall at corner (among regulars) last season. Perhaps illustrating how far we still need to go for reliable coverage metrics, Pro-Football-Reference tagged Johnson with a solid 59.7% completion rate allowed and an above-average 69.9 passer rating as the closest defender.

Jackson had previously signed a three-year, $35.18MM extension with the Panthers, starting 76 games with the team that made him a second-round pick. The Bolts saw rookie-year promise from Tarheeb Still but have some work to do at corner even after the Jackson addition.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Chargers To Re-Sign Khalil Mack

March 10th, 2025 at 9:54am CST by Sam Robinson

Khalil Mack will not, in fact, test the market. The decorated edge rusher is set to remain in place for the Chargers for 2025.

Mack has agreed to a one-year deal to stay in Los Angeles, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The pact is worth $18MM and is guaranteed in full. The team’s preference was to keep Mack for 2025 at a minimum, and that will indeed be the case. The Bears and Buccaneers were mentioned as Mack suitors. While a return to Chicago would have been interesting since Ryan Poles traded him weeks into his GM gig, the Chargers will keep the decorated edge rusher off the market.

This represented Mack’s first time being set for free agency, and he did not quite make it to the market. The Bolts gave both Mack and Joey Bosa pay cuts a year ago but have now split up that three-year duo, keeping the older of the two players. While Mack is going into his age-34 season, he has stayed healthy since being traded to L.A.

Two of Mack’s three Chargers seasons did not feature tremendous statistical work, but the 2023 season sure did. Mack sandwiched one of his best seasons between two reasonably productive slates, totaling 14 sacks between the 2022 and ’24 seasons and 17 in 2023. The former Defensive Player of the Year also forced five fumbles in 2023. Granted, six of those came against the Raiders during Aidan O’Connell‘s debut, but Mack missed only one game during his three previous Bolts seasons. More reliable than the 29-year-old Bosa, Mack will be asked to keep going with Jim Harbaugh‘s team.

On the Hall of Fame radar, Mack will move forward with a Chargers team still rostering Bud Dupree and Tuli Tuipulotu. While Bosa’s exit may still create a depth need — at the very least — Mack sticking around will minimize the Bolts’ issue at OLB. This latest Chargers agreement can move Mack closer to the Hall of Fame. His 107.5 career sacks are 32nd in the sack era (1982-present); the former Raiders and Bears All-Pro could move into the top 25 with a seven-sack season.

Mack was tied to his six-year Bears-built extension from 2018-24. While he may have missed out on high-end edge rusher money, the 2014 first-round pick did well to remain on that deal and collect more than $140MM. The Buffalo alum may slide further into the situational-rusher setup, as his snap share declined from 81% in 2023 to 61% in 2024. The Bolts will attempt to keep Mack fresh, and moving on from Bosa certainly illustrates how highly they view the 11-year veteran moving forward.

Load More Posts