Chargers' shrewd free agent signing lands massive take

This Los Angeles Chargers free agent addition has landed a massive take after an impressive 2024 NFL season.
Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Poona Ford (95) reacts after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Poona Ford (95) reacts after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
In this story:

The Los Angeles Chargers were one of the most surprising teams in the NFL this season, winning 11 games and capturing a playoff berth.

Sure, the Chargers lost in the Wild Card Round, but this was still a major step forward for a team that won just five games in 2023.

Los Angeles had an impressive campaign thanks much in part to its defense, which was among the NFL's best in 2024. While big names like Khalil Mack and Derwin James were two of the primary reasons, the Chargers also received some big production from unsung heroes.

Take Poona Ford, for example.

Ford played in every game and registered 39 tackles, three sacks and five passes defended, proving to be a massive free-agent steal for Los Angeles.

The 29-year-old was so impactful, as a matter of fact, that Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus has named him the Bolts' top free-agent addition of 2024.

"Ford was signed last offseason for less than $2 million and was a revelation this season in Los Angeles. His 85.3 overall grade is the fifth-highest among qualified defensive tackles," Wasserman wrote. "He quickly became a crucial part of the Chargers’ defense, so his retention could be a priority for them this time around."

The University of Texas product spent the first five years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Buffalo Bills in 2023.

Ford was productive throughout most of the first six years of his NFL tenure, but there is no question the 2024 season may have been his most prominent campaign to date.

We'll see if the Chargers re-sign him this March.

Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Poona Ford.
Oct 21, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Poona Ford (95) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

— Enjoy free coverage of the Chargers from Los Angeles Chargers on SI —

More Los Angeles Chargers News:

Chargers might want to consider reunion with top NFL cut candidate

Chargers named top landing spot for Chiefs star playmaker

Chargers predicted to replace Khalil Mack with dynamic defender

Is Von Miller a precautionary tale for Chargers and Khalil Mack?

Former Chargers coach lands job as AFC coordinator


Published
Matthew Schmidt
MATTHEW SCHMIDT

Matthew Schmidt is a sportswriter who covers NFL, MLB, NBA and college football and basketball. He has been writing professionally since 2011 and has also worked for Bleacher Report, FanRag Sports, ClutchPoints, NFLAnalysis.net and NBAAnalysis.net. He was born and raised in New Jersey and has a rather eclectic group of favorite teams: the Boston Celtics, New York Giants and Miami Marlins.