Chargers 2025 free agency tracker: Offseason moves, signings
NFL free agencyhas begun, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2025 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began March 12 at 4 p.m. ET, and free agent signings could then become official. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2025 NFL free agent signing by the Los Angeles Chargers and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Tyler Conklin, TE
Conklin, formerly a member of the Minnesota Vikings (2018-21) and the New York Jets (2022-24), signed a one-year deal on March 21.
What it means: After losing Stone Smartt in free agency, the Chargers had just Will Dissly and Tucker Fisk at tight end heading into next season; Conklin gives them a proven veteran. Conklin has seven years of experience -- his 449 receiving yards last season were the lowest total since his third year in the NFL, but he was the most sure-handed pass catcher on the Jets last season, with no drops in 73 targets. Dissly was a significant part of the offense last season, finishing third in targets (64), but was tied for the third-most drops on the team with three.
What's the risk: Conklin's deal doesn't present much risk for the Chargers, as he is another player signed to a one-year deal.
Andre James, C
James, who spent six seasons with the Raiders (2019-24), signed a one-year deal.
What it means: James started 61 of 80 career games and was part of the offensive line that led to 1,653 rushing yards for running back Josh Jacobs in 2022. James will likely compete for the starting job with center Bradley Bozeman, who the Chargers re-signed this offseason. James grades significantly higher than Bozeman as a pass blocker, finishing fifth in pass block win rate last season, while Bozeman finished 29th. In run block win rate, however, Bozeman ranks higher than James, finishing 11th, while James finished 19th.
What's the risk: This move presents little risk for the Chargers. James was beaten out in Las Vegas by rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson late last season, still James started 11 games and was one of the league's best pass blockers. He could be a significant upgrade at one of the Chargers' weakest positions last season.
Mekhi Becton, G
Becton, the former New York Jets first-round pick who won a Super Bowl as a starter with the Philadelphia Eagles, last season, agreed to a two-year deal on March 14.
What it means: Becton is perhaps the most important signing of free agency for the Chargers. L.A.'s most significant weakness last season was the team's interior offensive line, and the Chargers struggled to build the effective rushing attack that coach Jim Harbaugh promised because of their inefficiencies. The interior line graded amongst the worst in the NFL in run block win rate: C Bradley Bozeman (160th), LG Zion Johnson (165th) and RG Trey Pipkins III (188th). Becton played right guard in Philadelphia and plans to continue to play guard, a source told ESPN's Tim McManus. This move could mean that the Chargers will release Pipkins, which would save them $6.75 million.
What's the risk? Last season was somewhat of a career renaissance for Becton, who was drafted in the first round by the Jets in 2020 as a tackle but switched to guard with the Eagles. Becton finished 24th in run block win rate amongst guards. While Becton, 25, started 30 games at tackle with the Jets, he missed all but one game over the 2021 and 2022 seasons because of knee injuries, so there is some risk in that regard.
Del'Shawn Phillips, LB
Phillips, a member of the Texans last season who has also appeared with the Ravens, Bills and Jets, continued his tour of the AFC by inking a one-year deal with the Chargers on March 14.
What it means: After the Chargers lost linebacker Nick Niemann in free agency to the Houston Texans, linebacker became another need for the Chargers. Niemann was most impactful on special teams with the Chargers but did play defensive snaps when there were injuries to starters. Phillips projects to fill that Niemann role this season, as he will likely be behind linebackers Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Junior Colson, and Troy Dye on the depth chart. Phillips has five years of experience and spent two seasons in Baltimore with general manager Joe Hortiz.
What's the risk? There is no risk here for the Chargers; the one-year deal gives the team flexibility on this depth signing.
Naquan Jones, DT
The former Arizona Cardinal signed a one-year deal with the Chargers on March 13.
What it means: The Chargers continue to add to their interior defensive line with Jones, who has four years of experience in the NFL. Jones figures to be another rotational piece for the Chargers' defensive line, and he is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. Jones ended last season with career-highs in sacks (3) and quarterback hits. One of Jones' sacks last season came against his new teammate, quarterback Justin Herbert. Jones sacked Herbert last season in the Chargers' 17-15 loss to the Cardinals.
What's the risk: The move doesn't present any risk for the Chargers, who continue to sign players on one-year, inexpensive deals.
Da'Shawn Hand, DT
Hand, formerly a member of the Lions (2018-21), Titans (2021-22) and Dolphins (2022-23), agreed on a one-year deal with the Chargers March 13.
What it means: Perhaps the Chargers' most significant offseason loss so far is defensive tackle Poona Ford, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Ford was one of the Chargers' most important defensive players last season, and Hand helps fill the void that Ford will leave. The Chargers are likely not done addressing the interior defensive line as defensive tackle Morgan Fox is also a free agent, but Hand gives the Chargers depth and experience at a position that they are retooling.
What's the risk: As with all of the Chargers deals in free agency so far, this one presents minimal risk, with it being for one year for just up to $3.35 million.
Mike Williams, WR
Williams, a Charger from 2017-23 before spending a season with the Pittsburgh Steelers,agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract to return to L.A.
What it means: Williams returns to the Chargers after spending his first seven seasons in Los Angeles -- the team released him ahead of last season as a cap casualty. One of the Chargers' biggest needs last season was a physical receiver who could catch 50/50 balls deep downfield. Williams fits this exact mold and could expand the Chargers offense with Ladd McConkey on the inside. Williams bests season of his career came in 2021 with Herbert when he finished with 1,146 receiving yards, 76 receptions and nine touchdowns.
What's the risk: Another one year deal for Chargers, Williams deal comes with little risk for the organization. Williams had the worst season of his career last year, finishing with just 22 receptions for 298 yards. Williams' familiarity and prior success withJustin Herbertmakes this move make a ton of sense for L.A.
Benjamin St-Juste, CB
St-Juste agreed to a one-year deal with the Chargers on March 12.
What it means: The Chargers have now signed just three players who weren't with the team last season, and the ex-Commander St-Juste is the second cornerback. St-Juste projects as a depth signing and rotational piece in a young Chargers cornerback group that doesn't have a proven top cornerback. St-Juste's size, 6-foot-3, 201 pounds, gives him the length to match up with bigger receivers and be physical in coverage and tackling. While the Chargers still have tons of money to spend, signing another corner does make it seem as if cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is unlikely to return to the Chargers.
What's the risk: It's another low-risk deal for the Chargers. St-Juste has been inconsistent in his four seasons in the NFL, and the one-year contract gives the Chargers flexibility depending on how he performs.
Najee Harris, RB
The ex-SteelerHarris and the Chargers agreed March 10 on a one-year deal worth up to $9.25 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
What it means: It's been eight years since the Chargers had a 1,000-yard rusher when Melvin Gordon rushed for 1,105 yards in 207. Since then, the Chargers have searched but have failed to build an effective rushing offense. Even last season, when coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff boasted about the running game they would build in L.A., the team was ultimately below league average in rushing yards per game (110.7). Harris has eclipsed 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons in the NFL; his physical style of running is one that Harbaugh covets and could be the difference in the Chargers rushing offense next season.
What's the risk: The deal is for one year at $9.25 million, which leaves little risk for the Chargers, as moving on from Harris won't cause them any significant cap penalties.
Donte Jackson, CB
Jackson, formerly with the Steelers, agreed to a two-year deal with the Chargers on March 10.
What it means: When general manager Joe Hortiz took the job, he preached about the importance of having cornerbacks, telling reporters that "it's a position that you never stop chasing." Jackson adds depth and experience to the Chargers' cornerback room, which was led by two rookies, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, in 2024. Jackson's five interceptions last season were more than any corner on the Chargers roster has had in a season, giving the Chargers a player with quality ball instincts. Last offseason, cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. were projected to be the team's starters, but both remain free agents.
What's the risk: Jackson will turn 30 in November next season and dealt with injuries last season. He missed two of the Steelers final three games with a lingering back issue and played just 30% of the defensive snaps in a Week 15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, Jackson's deal (two years, $13 million) isn't a significant financial commitment for the Chargers.
Khalil Mack, LB
Mack and the Chargers reached an agreement on a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million deal.
What it means:Mack had been the Chargers' top priority this offseason and helped them keep one of the league's best pass rushers for another year. Mack has a team-high 23 sacks over the last two seasons, and he led all Chargers players with a 13% pass rush win rate en route to his ninth Pro Bowl last season. The deal allows the Chargers to focus on the rest of the roster, where the team's needs are aplenty, including interior offensive line, defensive line, and wide receiver. The Chargers have already lost defensive tackle Poona Ford (Rams) and wide receiver Joshua Palmer (Bills).
What's the risk:There isn't much risk on this deal. It is a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million contract, which is close to average for the booming edge rusher market. Mack, 34, didn't show much sign of decline in 2024 and is one of the team's most respected players.
