Possible Remaining Free Agent Fits for Chargers
With the 2025 NFL Draft over, the next phase of the offseason now begins. General Manager Joe Hortiz will now shift his focus to the second wave of free agency. The Los Angeles Chargers filled a lot of holes during the NFL Draft. Last year this time, the Chargers added a bunch of key pieces to their roster which helped them make the playoffs for the first time since 2022. They look to do the same thing this offseason.
There are a lot of possible immediate-impact players available on the market that could help the Chargers. The Chargers added two cornerbacks at the start of the 2025 NFL Free Agency period. In the draft, the Chargers drafted only one cornerback. Trikweze Bridges is a dual defensive back. He is versatile with upside at both safety and cornerback. The Chargers could look to add one more true cornerback through free agency. Veteran Stephon Gilmore could be an excellent addition to Jesse Minter’s defense. Gilmore would be able to cover the opponent’s number-one receiver and add veteran leadership to a young cornerback room.
During the draft, the Chargers provided Justin Herbert with a surplus of weapons. The Chargers covered their holes at running back, wide receiver, and even tight end. The wide receiver room for the Bolts is still fairly young, but very crowded. Keenan Allen, the longtime Charger, is still available, and with the Chicago Bears adding a wide receiver in the draft, it is more than likely that he will not be returning there. Allen has made it publicly clear that he would like to return to Los Angeles. One year of Allen could benefit Ladd McConkey, as the two have very similar playing styles. The signing of Allen, however, would mean that either Jalen Reagor or Brenden Rice would have to be cut from the team.
In the second wave of free agency last offseason, the Chargers signed Bud Dupree to their edge room. With Joey Bosa now with the Buffalo Bills, the Chargers drafted Kyle Kennard. At South Carolina, Kennard won SEC Defensive Player of the Year and is expected to be part of the Chargers’ edge rotation. However, adding another veteran edge like they did last year would be smart. Za’Darius Smith is still available and could be a great rotational piece. Khalil Mack and Dupree with Smith would be a very solid mix of older guys with Tuli Tuipulotu and Kennard.
Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh are poised to make a splash next season. With the rest of the AFC West getting stronger, adding more veteran players to the roster could be very key. The month of May for the Chargers will be very busy. Rookie minicamp is this month and the regular season schedule is released on May 14.
