Many expected the LA Chargers to be busy in free agency with the second-most cap space in the league. The Chargers have certainly been busy, but not in the way fans would have hoped.
While there have been a few exceptions, fans are mostly displeased with how the Chargers have operated thus far. General manager Joe Hortiz has made signings as if the team is short in cap space like they were last year. There is nothing wrong with fliers, but an entire roster cannot be made up of fliers.
More signings are bound to happen and who knows, maybe the Chargers make a huge splash next week. The team may need it after seeing these grades for their first-wave signings.
Grading every Chargers signing from the first week of free agency:
Chargers re-sign Khalil Mack: A+
Khalil Mack was the biggest free agent the Chargers had to re-sign in free agency and the team wasted no time doing so, agreeing to a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million contract.
This is a great price for Mack, who may have even took a pay cut to return to the Chargers. While some fans may have preferred a longer deal, taking Mack on a year-by-year basis is the perfect way for the Chargers to operate.
Chargers sign Najee Harris: B
The Chargers worked out a great contract with Najee Harris that is incentive-based and does not break the bank. The initial reported price for Harris was slightly concerning, but with all the details around his new deal, it is a good signing for the Bolts.
All that being said, we want to caution Chargers fans from getting too excited about Harris. He is a big name and it is easy to look at the glass half-full but it is important context that Harris has averaged fewer than four yards per carry in his career. Signing him is a smart gamble, but it's not a guaranteed home run.
Chargers sign Mike Williams: B+
The Chargers went out and bolstered the wide receiver room with a familiar face. Bringing back Mike Williams on a low-risk, one-year deal is smart business by the Chargers as the team brings back one of Justin Herbert's favorite weapons.
If Williams is the only addition to the wide receiver room this offseason then that is a problem. However, as part of a bigger picture, Williams is an impactful player who gives the Bolts a true X receiver.
Chargers sign Mekhi Becton: A
It took longer than Chargers fans were comfortable with but the team finally made an addition to the offensive line in Philadelphia Eagles guard Mekhi Becton. The former first-round pick has turned his career and perception around and was one of the better guards in free agency this offseason.
While Becton may not be elite as a pass-blocker, he is an exceptional run-blocker and is still a massive improvement over Trey Pipkins. Justin Herbert has better protection with Becton likely starting at right guard.
Chargers sign Donte Jackson: D+
Donte Jackson has some ball-hawk skills to be excited about and that is likely what drove the Chargers to sign him in the first place. However, there are also some faults to be concerned about.
Jackson is prone to coverage lapses and had a missed-tackle rate of over 20% last season. If this was a one-year flier it would be one thing, but the fact the Chargers committed $13 million to Jackson, when $29.6 million for Poona Ford was too much, is disappointing.
Chargers sign Benjamin St-Juste: C-
It's never a great sign when an entire fanbase celebrates your departure in free agency. That is what happened when Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, who has been woeful throughout his career, signed a one-year deal with the Chargers.
St-Juste is a worse cornerback than Jackson and there is a world in which he plays himself off the field on the Chargers. That one saving grace of this signing that makes it a C- is the fact it is a one-year flier, not a multi-year deal.
Chargers sign Da'Shawn Hand: C
This doesn't really move the needle either way for the Chargers. Los Angeles replaced the departing Ford with a cheap, one-year signing that may or may not work out.
If we are factoring in Ford's departure as the catalyst for this move then the grade would be lower. However, by itself, it is a mid-tier signing that deserves a C.
Chargers sign Naquan Jones: C
Everything that was already written about Hand can be repeated with Jones. The Chargers signed Jones to a cheap, one-year flier contract so he can serve as defensive line depth, particularly at the nose tackle position.
The most interesting note about Jones is that he too is a former Titan. That gives the Chargers four former Titans on the defensive line between Jones, Hand, Bud Dupree and Teair Tart. Speaking of Tart...
Chargers sign Del'Shawn Phillips: B
This signing is not going to exponentially raise the Chargers ceiling, but it does wrap up the linebacker room. Los Angeles lost an important member of the special teams unit at linebacker and brought one right back in.
Del'Shawn Phillips was one of the most experienced special teams players in free agency and he should fit nicely in Ryan Ficken's unit. Not a needle-mover, but a good signing nonetheless.
Chargers re-sign Teair Tart: A
Los Angeles may not have re-signed Ford but the team did re-sign its other breakout defensive lineman, Teair Tart. The Chargers likely chose to sign Tart over Ford because of the much different price but alas, Tart is back in LA.
Tart re-signed with the Chargers on a one-year deal that pays him up to $5.5 million with incentives. The hope is that Tart hits those incentives, as that will indicate another strong season for the former Titan.
Chargers re-sign Bradley Bozeman: F
This one didn't make a ton of sense. Bradley Bozeman was one of the worst starting centers in the league last season and all signs were pointing to his departure. Instead, the Chargers re-signed Bozeman to a two-year deal that is incentive heavy.
The hope is Bozeman doesn't hit those incentives as that would indicate he is starting again for the Bolts. As a depth offensive lineman, re-signing Bozeman is not the worst move in a vacuum. However, the move is made worse when the Chargers have been cheap in other areas and have not made an offensive line addition yet.
Chargers re-sign Denzel Perryman: A
Denzel Perryman proved to be a valuable member of the Chargers' defense last season as his veteran leadership helped set the tone for Jesse Minter's unit. After injuries slowed him down in 2024, Perryman gets a chance to make an even larger impact in 2025.
That being said, the ideal situation is Perryman becoming the LB3 as that would indicate that sophomore Junior Colson took a step forward. If that doesn't happen, though, the Chargers have a veteran they can trust as depth.
Chargers re-sign Troy Dye: A+
Speaking of linebackers, the Chargers re-signed breakout LB4 Troy Dye after losing Nick Niemann to the Houston Texans in free agency. Niemann was a special teams ace for the Bolts and now Dye will serve as the best special teams linebacker on the Bolts.
Dye has defensive potential too as he put together promising snaps late in the season for the Bolts. His main impact will be felt on special teams but getting Dye back on a cheap one-year deal for linebacker depth as a smart and savvy move.
Chargers re-sign Jalen Reagor: D
It's still unclear why the Chargers felt the need to re-sign Jalen Reagor this offseason. The notorious first-round bust has struggled everywhere he has played, including the Chargers. One highlight catch during the season does not change the fact he only caught seven passes in 2024 and has been one of the most disappointing first-round wideouts in recent draft memory.
Heck, Reagor outright lost the Chargers a game against the Arizona Cardinals by fumbling the ball out of the back of the endzone. He did more harm than good last season.
Realistically, Reagor should just be a camp body who does not make the 53-man roster once the Chargers trim it down. At least, that is what fans should hope for.
Chargers re-sign Taylor Heinicke: B+
The Chargers re-signed Taylor Heinicke to a one-year deal worth up to $6.2 million, likely spelling the end of Easton Stick's tenure in LA. This is a smart move for the Chargers as it is important to invest in the backup quarterback position in case anything happens.
The only gripe with this signing is the moves that have come around it. Re-signing Heinicke at this price is a no-brainer, but it's unfortunate when this is one of the most expensive signings the Chargers have made with all that cap space.