The LA Chargers brought in several former members of the Tennessee Titans last offseason to great success. With the team needing to replace Poona Ford on the defensive line, the Chargers are tapping back into the Tennessee well.
After re-signing former Titan Teair Tart earlier in the week, the Chargers signed former Titans defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand to a one-year deal on Thursday. Two Titans on the defensive line were not enough for the Bolts.
Just moments after the team signed Hand, the Chargers also agreed to a one-year deal with Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Naquan Jones. Jones, an undrafted free agent, spent his first two-and-a-half years with the Titans before joining the Cardinals.
Chargers bolster defensive line with several former Titans
Tart, Hand, Jones and edge-rusher Bud Dupree all shared a locker room together in 2022 as members of the Titans' defensive line. The 2022 season was a down year for Mike Vrabel's team but it was not because of the defensive line.
Tennessee ranked first in total rushing yards allowed, first in yards allowed per rush and second in rushing touchdowns allowed. Teams simply could not run the ball against the Titans, which is what the Chargers are looking to emulate in 2025.
It's clear Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh value what Vrabel previously built in Tennessee. Tart and Dupree both had successful seasons in their specific roles in 2024 and the hope is that Hand and Jones can follow in that path.
Jones played 12 games last season and recorded three sacks, four tackles for loss and 27 total tackles. Jones played just 34% of the Cardinals' defensive snaps as he dealt with injuries and was a rotational defensive lineman.
That has been Jones' role throughout his career. The former Titan has only started eight games in his career, seven of which came with the Titans. The most snaps Jones has played in a single season is 328, which happened in his rookie year in 2021.
The Chargers are doing a good job at building the depth of the defensive line with savvy deals but that may not be enough. Los Angeles still does not have a long-term option in the room with the trio of former Titans all being signed for one year.