Inglewood, CA — As the Los Angeles Chargers prepare for their AFC Wild Card matchup against the Cleveland Browns, the front office is also looking ahead to the offseason. Several defensive and special teams contributors have expiring contracts, and the decisions on whether to bring them back or let them walk could have a big impact on the future of the roster. Here’s a look at each player and a prediction on their future with the team.
Khalil Mack: Let Walk
Mack had a solid season at age 33, recording 7 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. However, his age and inability to be an every-down defender suggest that the Chargers may look to get younger at the position. Mack has been a great leader on defense, but LA likely won’t invest long-term in a player approaching the twilight of his career. It’s a tough decision, but the Chargers are expected to let Mack walk in favor of younger options on the edge. There is a chance Mack is franchise tagged, as no other Charger on offense or defense would make sense.
JK Scott: Short Extension
Scott, 27, has been a reliable presence at punter, downing 10 of his 30 punts inside the 20 with only 2 touchbacks. His net average of 38.9 yards is solid, if not spectacular. Given his consistency and youth for his position, the Chargers are likely to bring him back on a short extension. Special teams stability is crucial, and Scott should continue to play that role.
Aaron Robinson: Let Walk
Robinson, the fifth cornerback on the depth chart, saw extremely limited action this year with just one tackle and 20 total snaps. At 26, he hasn’t carved out a significant role on defense or special teams, and the Chargers will likely move on from him to open up opportunities for younger players.
Poona Ford: Short Extension
Ford, the starting defensive tackle, has been a solid force on the interior with 35 tackles and 4.5 sacks. His ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage (11 TFL) makes him valuable. At 28, Ford is still in his prime, and the Chargers are likely to offer him a short extension to keep the defensive front intact while possibly grooming a younger player to eventually take over.
Morgan Fox: Let Walk
Despite being a starter at left end, Fox had a down year with just 17 tackles and minimal impact plays (3 TFL, 1 forced fumble) over 311 snaps. At 29, Fox hasn’t done enough to justify a new deal. The Chargers will likely look for a more productive option at defensive end, so Fox will be allowed to walk in free agency.
Teair Tart: Long-Term Extension
Tart was a breakout player this season with 7 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and a solid presence on the interior defensive line. At just 27 years old, Tart is entering the prime of his career, and the Chargers would be wise to lock him up long-term. His pass-rushing ability and disruption could make him a cornerstone of the defensive line moving forward.
Kristian Fulton: Short Extension
Fulton, a rotational free safety, contributed with 47 tackles, an interception, and a blocked kick across 497 snaps. At 25, he’s still young, and his versatility in the secondary makes him a valuable depth piece. The Chargers will likely extend him for a few more years to maintain their defensive backfield depth.
Rudy Ford: Let Walk
Ford, a rotational strong safety, played sparingly with just 8 tackles and 1 forced fumble in 146 snaps. At 29, he hasn’t made a significant impact and is likely on his way out as the Chargers look for younger options to develop behind their starters.
Daiyan Henley: Long-Term Extension
Henley was a revelation at middle linebacker across from superstar rookie Junior Colson, racking up 99 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, and 2 defensive touchdowns. At only 24, Henley is the future of the Chargers’ defense, and the team will almost certainly sign him to a long-term extension to keep their young star in place for years to come. It will also greatly help to know Colson will be on a rookie deal for 3 more years.
Troy Dye: Let Walk
Dye played almost exclusively on special teams and recorded just 1 tackle in 51 snaps. At 27, he’s not a major contributor on defense, and the Chargers are likely to move on from him to make room for new talent in the linebacker room. Dye is plenty athletic and may get a good chance elsewhere, but he’s a lesser version of those ahead of him in LA.
Nick Neimann: Short Extension
Neimann has been a solid special teams player and backup linebacker, recording 11 tackles in 152 snaps. At 26, he’s still young and capable of contributing in his limited role. The Chargers will likely offer Neimann a short extension to continue his role as a special teams standout. He’s an athletic and aggressive player who battled back from injury this season.
Chris Rumph II: Let Walk
Rumph, the almost-backup outside linebacker, spent the season on injured reserve, and his development has stalled over the past few years. At 25, it seems unlikely that the Chargers will bring him back after three unproductive seasons. He’s expected to hit free agency in search of a fresh start. Injuries can be demoralizing so I will be rooting for Rumph as long as he doesn’t end up in Kansas City, Denver, or Las Vegas.
Lawrence Guy Sr.: Let Walk
Guy, the 34-year-old backup defensive end, saw just 64 snaps and didn’t record any stats. With age catching up to him and minimal contributions on the field, the Chargers are expected to let Guy walk and look for younger depth on the defensive line. Guy lasted the whole season thanks to his knowledge and ability to mentor younger players.
K’Lavon Chaisson: Let Walk
Chaisson, a backup outside linebacker, had 12 tackles and 1 sack in 198 snaps. While still only 25, Chaisson hasn’t shown enough to justify another contract, especially with younger, more productive players in free agency or the draft. The Chargers are likely to let him walk. The former first-rounder will most likely be looking for a new second chance, or third chance technically.
Andrew Booth Jr.: Short Extension
Booth, the fourth cornerback, contributed 23 tackles and a forced fumble in 231 snaps. At just 23, he still has potential to grow, and the Chargers are likely to offer him a short extension to continue developing him as a depth cornerback in their secondary rotation.
Jowon Briggs: Short Extension
Briggs, a rotational defensive tackle, showed flashes with 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks in limited snaps. At only 23, the Chargers may see him as a player with room to develop, and a short extension seems like the best course of action to see if he can take a larger role in the future. He only played in the final 10 games after spending time on Cleveland’s practice squad. Maybe he can bump this up to a long-term deal with some playoff revenge and proof he can be a starter on the interior defensive line.
As the Chargers turn their attention toward the playoffs, decisions on these expiring contracts will shape the roster for the 2025 season. While several veterans are expected to walk, younger players like Daiyan Henley and Teair Tart are poised to become central figures in the Chargers’ defense for years to come.
