For most teams across the NFL, any signings that come at this point in the offseason bear very little significance. Roster battles are already set in stone, and unless there's an injury, there's not really a route for newly-added players to crack the competition for the final list of 53 men.
But there's at least a minor amount of intrigue in the Los Angeles Chargers' latest signing.
They added WR Liam Clifford, who spent most of training camp to this point with the Indianapolis Colts, and waived WR Luke Grimm as their corresponding move, per ESPN's Kris Rhim.
The Chargers signed WR Liam Clifford and waived WR Luke Grimm with an injury designation.
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) August 19, 2026
Clifford, a 6-foot, 200-pound undrafted free agent out of Penn State, spent part of training camp with the Colts.
He had 42 catches for 530 yards over four seasons at Penn State. He’ll…
As Rhim mentions, Clifford presents a relatively short frame but comes into the league with a strong build for a versatile receiver. Even so, it doesn't seem like there's any real path for him to crack the practice squad over the remainder of training camp— let alone the 53-man roster.
But Clifford brings more than just an extra body to camp. Michigan offered Clifford in 2021, when Jim Harbaugh was still the head coach, before he ultimately went Penn State, where he spent all four of his college seasons.
Liam Clifford comes to the Chargers with a Michigan connection
Coming out of high school, Clifford was evidently a highly sought-after pass catcher. In addition to Michigan, he received offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Kentucky, and of course Penn State.
But he had, frankly, an up-and-down career with the latter school. He's never been the speediest receiver, but he largely solidified himself as a veteran presence during his time in college and flashed some intensity and athleticism at the catch point.
His best season came in 2024, when he posted 18 receptions for 286 yards and a touchdown. But Clifford was almost completely sidelined in a floundering Penn State offense in 2025—even spending some time as a backup quarterback on their depth chart and taking two passing attempts over the course of his final season.
Clifford never truly panned out as a productive college player, and it's unclear how much Harbaugh's former interest may have played a part in his signing with the Chargers. But it will be a storyline to follow as the Chargers continue to sort out their roster and practice squad spots.
Don't get too excited about the Cooper Kupp comparisons
Back in 2021, 247 Sports' Allen Trieu compared Grimm to a Cooper Kupp-type receiver— shorter than the ideal but with ample tenacity and upside as a downfield playmaker.
That never came to fruition in college, and it's unlikely to come to fruition with Los Angeles. Even with Grimm off the roster, the Chargers already have five or six receivers locked into the 53-man— Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre' Harris, Brenen Thompson, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and Derius Davis.
Beyond that, both JaQuae Jackson and Dalevon Campbell have put up some impressive plays in camp. With members of both the offensive line and the secondary pushing for practice squad spots, it feels unlikely Los Angeles will want to carry more than two receivers on their initial 16-man practice squad roster.
Harbaugh might have finally got his hands on Clifford, but the path to anything coming of it is pretty slim.
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