Perfect free-agent addition just fell right into the Chargers' lap

One of the weaker areas of the LA Chargers' roster heading into training camp was the interior defensive line. While there are some young players on the roster who could take a step up, the overall talent and depth of the group left many fans dissatisfied.

General manager Joe Hortiz has kept his promise of tirelessly working around the roster fringes to try and find any advantages he can when carving out the 53-man roster. Finally, that may impact the interior defensive line room thanks to the Miami Dolphins.

Miami released veteran nose tackle Teair Tart on Tuesday and it took less than 24 hours for the Chargers to give Tart a call and offer him a workout. Tart has to impress the Chargers to earn a roster spot but given the current status of the IDL room, that should not be too difficult.

Teair Tart is exactly what the Chargers need right now

The Chargers' defense played well in the team's first preseason game of the year but it still needs help. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter must continue coaching the players on the defense up while the front office looks to make savvy additions to bolster the depth.

Tart would be a savvy addition.

Tart is a big-bodied nose tackle who can handle his own against the run but gives the Chargers a pass-rush presence at the position that does not currently exist. Los Angeles has Morgan Fox to be a premier pass rusher inside and can kick Tuli Tuipulotu inside as well on pass-rushing downs.

But when it comes to a true pass-rushing nose tackle, the Chargers could use some help. Poona Ford isn't getting after the quarterback while both Otito Ogbonnia and Scott Matlock are unproven and might end up being better against the run.

Tart was one of the better pass-rushing nose tackles in the league in 2022, earning the 17th-highest pass-rushing grade on Pro Football Focus among interior defensive linemen. His 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans did not go well as he was let go by the team for effort and attitude issues.

The Chargers may not want to welcome someone who is going to have effort issues but that is why the preseason is so important to this equation. There is still plenty of time for the coaching staff to evaluate Tart, get a feel for who he is as a player and then make a decision. The Chargers are not jumping into the deep end, they are wading in the kiddie pool.

And if there is any coach in the league that can get the most out of Tart, it is Jim Harbaugh.

All in all, it would be foolish for the Chargers to let Tart leave Los Angeles without some kind of deal in place. Even if it does not end up working out, Tart has far more potential and is much more of a proven commodity than other fringe players who are currently taking up one of the 90 roster spots.