While the Los Angeles Chargers had an ample amount of salary cap space with which to work heading into the start of this 2026 NFL free agency frenzy, they certainly haven't made as many high-profile signings as many may have wanted.
But the signings the Bolts have made this week have certainly been strategic, with one such example being the addition of Charlie Kolar. Naturally, plenty of people voiced their concern when the Chargers inked a tight end with just 30 career catches for 409 yards and four touchdowns to a three-year, $24.3 million contract, a deal that included a $7 million signing bonus and $17 million in guaranteed money.
But those who've watched Kolar over the past four years with the Baltimore Ravens know what he brings to the table, as he's become one of the best blocking tight ends in the entire NFL. And given the issues the Chargers had on the offensive line this past year, any extra body up front who knows what he's doing is a bonus, which is why The Athletic has named the 27-year-old one of its "best free agent fits."
The Athletic says Charlie Kolar is the "final piece in the Chargers’ run game rebuild"
From the opening of the free-agent negotiation window on Monday morning and 8:00 p.m. Eastern that night, teams had doled out a whopping $2.3 billion in new contracts, with dozens upon dozens upon dozens of players agreeing to new deals.
So, when Ted Nguyen of The Athletic listed Kolar as one of the "10 best free agent fits" of that first day alongside the likes of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III and future Hall of Fame wideout Mike Evans, that certainly stands out.
Here's what Nguyen had to say on the underrated signing:
"One reason offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel was hired was to bolster a Chargers run game that finished 15th in rushing success rate and 14th in explosive run rate. In addition to getting their two starting tackles back from season-ending injuries, the Chargers added center Tyler Biadasz and fullback Alec Ingold. The final step to ensuring the outside zone run works is a strong blocking tight end, and they got exactly that with Charlie Kolar.
"The Chargers have second-year tight end Oronde Gadsden Jr., who showed a lot of promise as an explosive pass catcher, but Kolar gives them a strong point-of-attack blocker who will likely start in their 21 personnel packages (two backs, one tight end, two receivers). They’ll also have the ability to get into 12 personnel and create mismatches for Gadsden with play-action. Kolar was the final piece in the Chargers’ run game rebuild. I’d be shocked if they weren’t top-10 in rushing efficiency and explosiveness next season, something Justin Herbert has never had."
Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. With Omarion Hampton now having some professional experience, Kimani Vidal coming back, and the recent signing of Kolar's former Baltimore teammate, Keaton Mitchell, the Chargers undoubtedly have an exciting backfield, and
Among all NFL tight ends who took at least 400 offensive snaps this past season, Kolar's 71.5 PFF run-blocking grade ranked ninth, and he certainly wasn't far from the top spot, as the San Francisco 49ers' Jake Tonges took that position with a mark of 74.3.
His pass blocking could still stand to improve, but it's not as if he'll be on the field in most passing situations. And that's how it went with the Ravens as well, with only 22 of his 402 offensive snaps falling into that category in 2025.
As mentioned, Kolar doesn't catch the ball often, but he's also been playing behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. But perhaps he'll get more of an opportunity in that regard with the Chargers in a genuine TE2 role behind Gadsden. But even if he doesn't, he understands why he was brought to town, and the Bolts' running game should be better for it.