The Los Angeles Chargers have been quite busy in the first few days of 2025 NFL free agency, including the addition of a familiar face to the team at wide receiver. The Chargers came into free agency with about $90 million dollars in salary cap space and have spent at least two-thirds of that locking up players they needed back and adding depth. Below are the results of the first few days of free agency for the Chargers:
Edge Rusher – The top priority in free agency was re-signing edge rusher Khalil Mack and the Chargers got that done. The nine-time pro bowl star agreed to a one year $18 million dollar fully guaranteed contract. Mack is a former Defensive Player of the Year. His veteran leadership will be helpful with the young players.
The Chargers decided to release five-time pro bowl edge rusher Joey Bosa and save $25.3 million against the salary cap. Bosa signed with the Buffalo Bills for one season at $12.6 million. The 2025 NFL draft is deep at edge rusher and the Chargers will probably add talent at edge rusher through the draft, particularly with the knowledge that the 34-year-old Mack could retire after the 2025 season.
Running back – The Chargers signed Najee Harris to a one-year contract for a guaranteed $5.250 million dollars ($3.750 million signing bonus and a $1.50 million base salary). There is also $4 million available in incentives. In four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Harris never missed a game, and he rushed for over 1,000 yards each season.
Harris has 180 career receptions and six receiving touchdowns, so he is a receiving option out of the backfield. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh recruited Harris when he was at Michigan. Harris was a five-star running back from Antioch high school in Northern California. He ended up attending Alabama. The 6-foot-1, 242 pound back will give the Chargers an every down, physical back who runs well between the tackles.
Wide Receiver – The Chargers are bringing back wide receiver Mike Williams after cutting him the season before due to salary cap issues. Williams was the No. 7 pick overall in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft for the Chargers. Williams and the Chargers agreed to terms for a reported $6 million dollars for one-year. Williams spent last season with the New York Jets and the Steelers, where he was a teammate of Harris.
Williams had his best season with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in 2021, when he caught 76 passes for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns. Williams gives the Chargers an X receiver and a physical receiver that can get deep and win 50-50 balls. The Chargers also re-signed Jalen Reagor, a former first round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles. Reagor has 86 career receptions and four touchdowns and brings a 42″ vertical jump.
The Chargers lost wide receiver Josh Palmer in free agency. Palmer signed with the Buffalo Bills for three years at $36 million, with $18 million guaranteed. Williams will replace Palmer, giving the Chargers a better receiver for less money. The Chargers will likely pick up a wide receiver in the upcoming NFL draft.
Tight End – The Chargers were not expected to do much in free agency when it came to tight end, and they have not. The Chargers did bring back reserve tight end Tucker Fisk, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound tight end who is a solid blocker. The 2025 NFL draft is deep at tight end, and it is expected that the Chargers will add a tight end though the NFL draft in late April.
Interior offensive line – Center Bradley Bozeman is returning for the 2025 season. Bozeman signed a 2-year, $6.5 million contract, which includes a $2.120 million signing bonus, and $3.375 million guaranteed. The 30-year-old center has 94 career starts and can also play guard. The Chargers value that versatility and his leadership.
Late Friday night, the Chargers agreed to terms with offensive guard Mekhi Becton, who spent the 2024 season as a starting right guard for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Becton was a 2020 first-round draft pick out of Louisville (#11 overall) with the New York Jets. He spent his first four seasons with the Jets at offensive tackle, then signed a one-year contract with the Eagles.
The Eagles moved him to offensive guard, despite the fact that he is 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds. He performed well for the Eagles at right guard. Becton will turn 26 in April. The contract is reported to be for two years and $20 million dollars. No other contract details have been disclosed. The Chargers now have four first-round picks starting on the offensive line. All four are 26 and under in age.
Cornerback – The Chargers lost cornerback Kristan Fulton to the Kansas City Chiefs, but added free agent Donte Jackson from the Steelers, the third free agent from the Steelers signed by the Chargers in 2025. Jackson is a former second round draft pick with 19 career interceptions, including five last season with the Steelers. Jackson’s contract was for a reported $13 million for two years.
The Chargers also came to terms with free agent cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, who spent his first four seasons with the Washington Commanders. St. Juste was a third round pick out of Minnesota, who spent his first season in college football at Michigan under Harbaugh. He is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound cornerback and has been a good run defender in his four seasons in the NFL. He has the size and versatility to play safety.
Interior defensive line – The Chargers lost defensive tackle Poona Ford, who played very well for the team last season but decided to sign with the Los Angeles Rams. The contract with the Rams was for three years and $27.6 million dollars, with $11.85 million fully guaranteed. That was likely too much for the Chargers to match.
The Chargers re-signed Teair Tart to a one-year, $5.5 million dollar contract. Tart was ranked by Pro Football Focus (PFF) as the 12th best interior defender in 2024. The Chargers also agreed to terms with Da’Shawn Hand, who spent the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins and is considered a solid role player.
Hand got a contract worth a reported $3.35 million for one season. The Chargers also signed Naquan Jones, who had three sacks and two forced fumbles with the Arizona Cardinals last season in a limited role. Jones signed a one-year deal with the Chargers. The Chargers will have plenty of depth on the interior defensive line in 2025.
Linebacker – The Chargers re-signed linebacker Troy Dye to a two-year contract and linebacker Denzel Perryman to a one-year deal. Dye started five games last season and contributed on special teams as well. Perryman is a one-time pro bowl selection and a leader on defense. Known as a tough run defender, Perryman was drafted by the Chargers the second round in 2015 when the team was located in San Diego. He played for the Chargers from 2015 through 2020, returning in 2024.
Quarterback – The Chargers have agreed to terms with backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke for a reported $6.2 million dollars. Heinicke has 29 career starts and one career playoff start. In the playoff game, Heinicke threw for 306 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 46 yards and one touchdown in a 31-23 loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Heinicke is a solid backup QB for the Chargers.
Special Teams – The Chargers re-signed punter J.K. Scott to a two-year, $6 million dollar contract with a $1.9 million dollar signing bonus. Scott has been a top ten punter in the NFL. The Chargers have also agreed to terms on a one-year contract with linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips, who will hopefully be a key contributor on special teams. Phillips played in 17 games with the Houston Texans last season, playing 25 snaps on defense and 363 snaps on special teams. He will replace Nick Niemann, who was a special teams star for the Chargers but recently left for a two-year deal with the Texans.