If you followed the LA Chargers closely throughout the 2025 season, then you definitely heard Jerome Ford's name on more than one occasion. The Chargers were saddled with running back injuries in 2025 and Ford became a hot name on the trade block.
Ford made perfect sense for the Chargers on paper. He was clearly expendable on the Browns with several backs jumping him in the depth chart. Heck, he was even named as a potential Chargers trade target by Daniel Popper of The Athletic this past fall.
The juice wasn't worth the squeeze as the Chargers clearly didn't want to trade any draft capital for Ford. However, the veteran running back is now available on the free-agent market and might make more sense than ever for the Chargers to finally add his services.
Jerome Ford is the perfect running back for the Chargers to sign in free agency
Running back is not a glaring need for the Chargers this offseason. It might even be one that fans forget about. Even with Omarion Hampton's promising rookie year and Kimani Vidal's breakout, it would behoove the Chargers to add to the room in some capacity this offseason.
Ater all, Vidal's production was rather polarizing with the negative version of his game showing up at the wrong times. Hampton is a talented back, but after an injury-filled rookie campaign, the Chargers can't enter 2026 without adding more insurance to the room.
The Chargers could draft a running back on day three of the 2026 NFL Draft but that doesn't make much sense this year. Los Angeles already has fewer picks than in previous years and taking a flier on day three doesn't really add anything the Bolts don't already have. At that rate, the Chargers would be better off just relying on an undrafted free agent.
What the Chargers need is a proven veteran who has no problem slotting into a rotation while being capable of playing a bigger role. That has been the definition of Ford's career, which has made him one of the cheapest names on the market because of his production in recent years.
The recent numbers leave more to be desired, sure. But that was situational. Ford averaged 5.4 yards per carry in a truly productive season in 2024. It would be a massive win for the Chargers to get that level of production out of Ford, even if it comes in 100 or fewer carries.
Ford is experienced, but is not over the age cliff. At just 26 years old, the Chargers don't have to worry about signing him and getting a much different player than advertised. Plus, given the status of the running back market, the Chargers wouldn't spend anything more than $4 million to secure his services anyway.
It's not a signing that will fundamentally change the projection of the Chargers' 2026 season, but it's one that can help create a comprehensive football team. Of all the free-agent running backs available this offseason, Chargers fans should keep an eye on Ford.