Poona Ford's departure to the LA Rams was one of the biggest blows the LA Chargers took during NFL free agency.
After playing on a deal worth close to the veteran minimum last year, Ford earned a three-year, $27.6 million contract in free agency.
For the first time since Ford's departure, general manager Joe Hortiz was asked about him at pre-draft media availability.
"You know, Poona (Ford) is not alone," Hortiz started. "Again, we were active in free agency on a number of players. Poona being one of them. And in the end, it's the player's decision, you know, where he's gonna go. He made his decision to go to the Rams. I felt that we were competitive in our offers and in our pursuit of Poona. It just didn't work out for us. But we were able to pivot and add three more defensive linemen, which is a great opportunity."
Chargers gave Poona Ford competitive offer before he signed with Rams
Whether the Chargers' "competitive offers" actually matched what the Rams were willing to pay for Ford's services is something we're unlikely to find out. But it's at least somewhat comforting to hear that the Chargers attempted to keep one of their key 2024 difference makers.
The defensive line group has been raved about as one of the best of the 2025 draft class. Whether it's someone at the top like Michigan's Kenneth Grant or a player later on in the draft, one has to think that the Chargers will address the position next week.
Jim Harbaugh himself has praised the depth of the defensive line draft group at the NFL owners meetings. As Hortiz mentioned, the Chargers were able to sign multiple defensive linemen with the money that wasn't paid to Ford.
Time will tell if failing to retain Ford will cost the Chargers over the course of the next few seasons. But for the time being, they'll continue adding to the depth and competition of a defensive line room that has room to grow.