Ahead of the 2024 season, in an effort to bolster the interior defensive line, the Los Angeles Chargers signed a pair of castoff tackles, adding both Poona Ford and Teair Tart to the roster on one-year contracts worth a combined $2.915 million.
And what a value that turned out to be, as both ranked among the top five among Chargers defenders in terms of overall PFF grading, with Ford ranking third (85.3) and Tart ranking fifth (78.9).
Ford, who started all 17 regular-season games and the postseason loss to the Houston Texans, racking up 42 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine QB hits, 3.0 sacks, five passes defended, and an interception, actually ranked fifth in the entire NFL among all interior defensive linemen, trailing only Chris Jones (90.2), Cameron Heyward (90.1), Dexter Lawrence (89.9), and Leonard Williams (87.1).
Now, it's not really known exactly how aggressive the Bolts' front office was in attempting to bring Ford back, but the fact of the matter is that while he stayed in Los Angeles, he ultimately signed with the Rams, inking a three-year deal worth up to $27.6 million, with $15.6 million in guaranteed money.
And much to the chagrin of Chargers fans everywhere, Ford was even better in 2025, with his 86.0 overall PFF grade ranking fourth among interior defenders.
The Bolts did, of course, opt to bring back Tart. And while he didn't have the season Ford did, the soon-to-be 29-year-old still put together a solid campaign, which is exactly what you want when you're set to become an unrestricted free agent. But the Chargers clearly learned their lesson with Ford and simply didn't allow Tart to hit the open market.
The Chargers have given Teair Tart a three-year extension worth up to $37.5 million
On Monday morning, it was reported that the Chargers had come to terms with Tart on a new three-year contract worth up to $37.5 million, including $20 million in guaranteed money.
As mentioned, Tart put together a solid 2025 season, particularly against the run. PFF credited the FIU alum with 24 stops, representing a new career-high, and his 73.3 run-defense grade ranked ninth among all interior defenders. He was also credited with eight batted passes, ranking eighth at his position.
Tart's best overall game of the season actually came in the Chargers' wild-card loss to the New England Patriots, as he batted a Drake Maye pass early on that resulted in a Daiyan Henley interception, recorded his first sack all season, and notched four total tackles, two of which went for a loss.
The Bolts still have a lot of work to do this offseason, as they've got a plethora of high-profile players set to hit free agency, but they're off to a strong start.