Although the Los Angeles Chargers are still regarded as one of the stronger teams in the AFC heading into the 2025 NFL season, their offseason was far from impressive.
Despite having considerable salary cap space entering free agency, the Chargers failed to make any major acquisitions. Arguably their biggest misstep was allowing breakout defensive tackle Poona Ford to leave in free agency.
Letting Ford walk was a head-scratching move, and it’s left a noticeable hole in the interior of the Chargers’ defensive line — one that could affect the team not only in 2025 but in the years to come.
In fact, Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus recently identified interior defensive line help as a top priority for Los Angeles in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Da’Shawn Hand, Teair Tart, Naquan Jones, and Otito Ogbonnia are all set to become unrestricted free agents in 2026, and the Chargers already lost Poona Ford — the fifth-highest-graded interior defender in 2024 — this past offseason,” Sikkema noted. “That leaves them with just rookie Jamaree Caldwell, meaning the Chargers will likely need to add multiple pieces to their defensive interior next year.”
Ford was highly productive in 2024, tallying 39 tackles, three sacks, an interception, and five passes defended, earning a stellar 85.1 grade from PFF. He signed a three-year, \$27.6 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams — a contract the Chargers had more than enough cap space to match.
It’s fair to question why the Chargers didn’t put more effort into retaining Ford. Perhaps they’re confident that free-agent signings Hand and Jones can help offset the loss, but letting Ford join their city rivals might end up being a decision they regret.
Leave a Reply