The Los Angeles Chargers, to no surprise, had a quick turnaround under Jim Harbaugh in 2024, winning six more games than they did during Brandon Staley's final season as head coach. A playoff hump has to be conquered, but the future looks bright.
With the peak of 2025 NFL free agency behind us, we can start to put eyes on the 2025 season and what lurks on the free agent docket for 2026. Players heading into contract years take a level of spotlight, and with that here are some Chargers players who are sure to be eyeing a nice new contract during the 2025 season.
4 Los Angeles Chargers who are playing for a contract in 2025
4. C Andre James
The Raiders signed James to a three-year, $24 million deal in 2024, then they released him just one year into the deal this offseason. He was coming off a down year after having his best year in 2023, but even with opening up the center spot for Jackson Powers-Johnson in mind it landed as an odd move. The Raiders also changed offensive scheme each and every year under a turnstile of coaching changes, and a generally bad offense impacted everyone's effectiveness.
The Chargers signed James to a veteran minimum deal ($1.17 million), and he'll compete with Bradley Bozeman for the starting spot at center. He should be amply motivated to win the competition, and prove the Raiders' new regime wrong for cutting him. Free from the past dysfunction of the Raiders, James will be looking to rehab his value and hit the market on his own free will from a position of strength next March.
3. S Alohi Gilman
Gilman has gone from core special teamer over his first three seasons to a starter over the last two seasons. He has also missed some time in each of those seasons (nine games total), and after posting a top-10 PFF grade among safeties in 2023 his drop-off amid injuries last year invited questions about his future as a Charger.
Derwin James gets rightly lauded for his versatility. While Gilman mostly lines up at free safety, he also sees noticeable snaps as a box defender. It's vaguely worth wondering if another team can better provide him an opportunity to line up all over the defensive formation.
Health will be key thing for Gilman in 2025, but a notable new contract from someone is in play for him next March.
2. OG Zion Johnson
The 17th overall pick in the 2022 draft, Johnson has been solidly unspectacular over the last three seasons (49 starts). It's a practical guaranteed the Chargers will not pick up his fifth-year option ($17.56 million) by the May 1 deadline, and the offensive line depth that has been retained (and added) has advanced him as a potential trade candidate.
The guard market has boomed the last couple offseasons, and some who are not markedly better than Johnson have gotten paid. If 2025 becomes a contract year, as it seems sure to, he will be looking to have his best season and get his big bite at the financial apple.
1. RB Najee Harris
Harris' seemingly inevitable departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers, which he has since acknowledged, opened up the possibility of multiple suitors in free agency. It seemed possible he'd get a notable deal in free agency, but a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Chargers looks like a bargain.
At 27 years old, with over 1,000 career carries, Harris is nearing the end of his peak shelf life as a running back. It's also fair to say the Steelers didn't get as much as they could have out of him, due to a lack of imagination from the offensive coordinator. Maybe the Chargers can correct that.
It's worth wondering if this offseason was Harris' one shot at getting a notable multi-year free agent contract, and he obviously did not get it. But he has an opportunity to show he can thrive in a different/better offense and hit the market on a higher note in March of 2026.