Chargers' defensive tackle Poona Ford's 2024 comeback season had to be seen to be believed. After playing just 151 snaps in Buffalo and struggling to get on the field in 2023, Ford played 652 defensive snaps with LA last year.
From a statistical standpoint, last year was arguably Ford's first or second-best season of his career. He received an 85.3 2024 season PFF defensive grade in addition to a 78.8 run defense grade. Ford had 23 pressures, 21 run stops, three sacks, and a career-high seven QB hits last season.
After playing on a fairly cheap contract last season in which he was only guaranteed $665,000 with Los Angeles, the seven-year NFL vet will be looking for a pay bump. If the Chargers want him back, they'll likely have to bid against a decent number of teams in free agency.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller made an appearance on my show Bolt Breakdowns via the Guilty as Charged Podcast. When he was asked about the defensive tackle room and specifically the impending free agency of Ford, Miller had this to say:
"Yeah, hopefully my guy Poona Ford is back. He's one of my favorite players. So, as a lifelong Texas fan, I need Poona back with the Chargers," Miller started. "I've heard good things. I've heard they want him back. So, fingers crossed. I'm not Adam Schefter, I'm not going to break any news. But I've heard good things, they want him back."
Chargers reportedly want to re-sign Poona Ford
Ford returning to the Chargers in 2025 would give the Chargers some stability at DT heading into the draft. Defensive tackle teammates Morgan Fox and Teair Tart are also currently slated to hit free agency in March along with Ford.
Otito Ogbonnia and Scott Matlock could be the only true defensive tackles on the roster when free agency opens up for the Bolts in March.
After an impressive Chargers' debut season last year, bringing Ford back into the fold for 2025 should absolutely be a priority for GM Joe Hortiz and HC Jim Harbaugh. Ford can be an important part of the equation as the Chargers potentially look to replicate what made the Philadelphia Eagles so successful in the Super Bowl.