Los Angeles Chargers News

The Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to terms with free-agent quarterback Trey Lance on a one-year contract worth up to $6.2 million. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news. The North Dakota state product will join his third squad after the San Francisco 49ers selected him third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lance spent last season with the Cowboys and passed for 266 yards and one interception with no touchdowns in four games (one start). He added 41 yards on 11 rushes. He projects to compete with teammate Taylor Heinicke for the second-string QB job behind Justin Herbert. Due to injuries and inefficient play, the 24-year-old hasn't been afforded much playing time. However, his athletic, toolsy upside could give him a chance to unseat Heinicke as the QB2 in L.A.

The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Wednesday that they signed Australian tight end Jordan Petaia as part of the league's International Player Pathway training program. Petaia recently worked out for teams at the University of South Florida's Pro Day on March 26. He appeared in two Rugby World Cups in 2019 in Japan and in 2023 in France for the Wallabies and became the youngest Australian to play at a World Cup in 2019 at just 18 years old. Petaia will be a long shot for any kind of fantasy relevance in the NFL with the Chargers but will provide additional tight end depth in L.A. heading into training camp behind newcomer Tyler Conklin, Will Dissly, Tucker Fisk and McCallan Castles. The 25-year-old spent the last few months learning American football at the IMG Academy in Florida.

When asked about potentially signing free-agent wide receiver Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said, "Anything's possible. That would be cool." Allen remains on the free-agent market after a disappointing 2024 campaign with the Chicago Bears in which he caught 70 of his 121 targets for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 starts. The Bolts took the 32-year-old veteran in the third round (76th overall) back in 2013 out of California, and he spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the team. Allen was a Pro Bowler from 2017-21 and posted six 1,000-yard seasons for the team. However, he certainly looked to have lost a step in 2024 and would not have the same kind of role if he returned to L.A. now that Ladd McConkey has taken over as QB Justin Herbert's top target in the passing game.

The Los Angeles Chargers re-signed free-agent safety Tony Jefferson to an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday, sources told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Jefferson did not play at all in 2023 but came out of retirement to join the Chargers last year and had 27 tackles (17 solo) in eight regular-season games (four starts). The 33-year-old veteran could very well retire after the 2025 season, and he certainly won't be a lock to make the 53-man active roster out of training camp this summer. The 10-year veteran defensive back has played for five different teams in his NFL career and has a total of 519 tackles (387 solo), 9.5 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 24 pass breakups, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 121 regular-season games (71 starts). Jefferson won't be anywhere near the IDP fantasy radar.

Former New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin reached an agreement on an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to his agent, Mike McCartney. Conklin heads to the AFC West after spending the last three years with the Jets, where he had 170 catches on 246 targets for 1,622 yards and seven touchdowns in 50 games (43 starts). While the 29-year-old did have a career-high four touchdowns in 16 games (15 starts) last year, he had just 51 catches and 449 yards (his lowest total since 2020) on 72 targets. The former fifth-round selection (157th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 out of Central Michigan has the opportunity to be the Chargers' top pass-catching tight end in 2025, but he'll also be sharing playing time with Will Dissly. Dissly had a very similar 50-481-2 line to Conklin a year ago in L.A. Expect Conklin to be a touchdown-dependent TE2 in fantasy in his new home.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that free-agent tight end Tyler Conklin is visiting with the Los Angeles Chargers. The former Jet has garnered interest from a few teams -- including New York -- but has yet to find a new home. Conklin spent the last three seasons with the Jets and seemed to be trending up. However, the addition of wide receiver Davante Adams put a damper on his production in 2024. The 29-year-old hauled in 51 passes for 449 yards on 72 targets last season, setting a career-high with four trips to the end zone. He'd be an intriguing fit in LA and would undoubtedly benefit from the play of signal-caller Justin Herbert. Conklin could provide some nice fantasy value as a Charger, as there isn't too much target competition behind wideouts Ladd McConkey and newly-acquired Mike Williams.

The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent center Andre James to an undisclosed deal. James will remain in the AFC West after spending the first six seasons in the league with the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders after entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA. The 27-year-old was designated as a post-June cut by the Raiders after playing in 13 games (11 starts) in 2024. James took over as Vegas' starting center in 2021 and has started 61 of the 80 games that he's appeared in for his career, including the playoffs. In his new digs with the Bolts, James will most likely enter the 2025 campaign as the backup to Bradley Bozeman.

According to Los Angeles Chargers reporter Daniel Popper of the Athletic, the team is likely to target a running back in April's 2025 NFL Draft. "The Chargers will be adding an explosive player to this group in the draft to complement Harris, Popper wrote." Perhaps as early as the 22nd pick in the first round." Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal to join Justin Herbert's offense during the first week of free agency, but the depth chart behind him consisting of Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins leaves a lot to be desired. The 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded at the running back spot, and North Carolina's Omarion Hampton or Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson could fit what L.A. is looking for. While Harris would have immense upside in the Chargers' offense in a workhorse role, he could be related to early-down work depending on if L.A. pulls the trigger on a ball carrier on Day 1 or Day 2. Harris has missed just one game in his NFL career and has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, but his contract value and lack of explosive play-making signals he could be at risk of falling into a committee-back role.

The NFL's Ian Rapoport reports that former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Mekhi Becton is signing a two-year, $20 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. Becton started 15 games for Philadelphia a season ago, recording 78.05% of the team's snaps. It was his only season with the Eagles after spending the first three years of his career with the New York Jets. The former first-round pick should serve as a significant boost for LA's offensive line and figures to spend time as a guard for the team. The Chargers have been active this offseason, but the 25-year-old could prove to be one of their most pivotal acquisitions yet. It's great news for new running back Najee Harris.

The Los Angeles Chargers and backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke agreed to a one-year contract extension worth up to $6.2 million on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Heinicke will return to L.A. for a second season to back up starter Justin Herbert. In his first year with the Chargers in 2024, Heinicke only saw action in four games (no starts) and went only 3-for-5 for 28 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. The 31-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion has already played for five different NFL teams in his seven years in the league. His best year came in 2021 with the Washington Commanders, when he played in 16 games (15 starts) and threw for 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Heinicke has started 29 games in his seven seasons, but he's unlikely to see much work again in 2025 behind Herbert, who is one of the toughest QBs in football.

The Los Angeles Chargers are signing defensive tackle Naquan Jones to a one-year contract, according to pro scouting director Mike McCartney. The Michigan State product spent the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, following three years with the Tennessee Titans. Overall, he has racked up 89 tackles (38 solo), 6.5 sacks, and four passes defended in 48 career games. The team also signed defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand on Thursday, signaling they are prioritizing adding depth to its defensive line after allowing 4.7 yards per carry a season ago.

Free-agent defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand is signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to NFL insider Mike Garafolo. The 29-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions before a two-year stint with the Miami Dolphins. Overall, the Alabama product has compiled 102 tackles (65 solo), five sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, five pass deflections, and 11 run stuffs in 62 career games. The Chargers allowed the sixth-most yards per rushing attempt (4.7) last season, so Hand will be tasked with helping L.A. improve its run defense in 2025.

The Los Angeles Chargers are signing free-agent wide receiver Mike Williams to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million on Wednesday night, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Williams spent the first seven years of his career in L.A. and will now reunite with quarterback Justin Herbert as a big, physical downfield threat. The 30-year-old veteran never developed into the consistent pass-catcher they hoped he'd be when they took him seventh overall in 2017 out of Clemson, although he did have a 10-touchdown season in 2018 and reached the 1,000-yard mark twice. In his first year away from the Chargers in 2024, he spent time with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers and failed to make an impact, catching a combined 21 passes on 34 targets for 298 yards and just one score in 18 games (five starts). Due to familiarity and opportunity, Big Mike should be able to bounce back as a starter with the Bolts, but consistency could be a real issue.

Free-agent linebacker Troy Dye is signing back with the Los Angeles Chargers on a two-year deal worth up to $8.5 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 28-year-old was originally a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings out of Oregon and spent the first four seasons of his career there before one season with the Chargers. Last year, he racked up 57 tackles (34 solo), 1.5 sacks, and two run stuffs in 17 games (five starts). Dye will continue to provide depth for the Los Angeles defensive led by up-and-coming defensive coordinator Jesse Minter in 2025.

Two-time Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram is visiting with the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. After being cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, Engram is making the rounds and also visited with the Denver Broncos as he looks to sign with a new team in free agency. After the New Orleans Saints re-signed Juwan Johnson Tuesday, Engram is the top tight end available on the market this offseason. The 30-year-old former 23rd overall pick in 2017 by the New York Giants out of Mississippi had a career year in Jacksonville in 2023 with a 114-963-4 line but only played in nine games in 2024 due to a season-ending shoulder injury and finished with a disappointing 47 catches (64 targets) for 365 yards and one TD. Denver's top TE is Adam Trautman, while the Chargers' is Will Dissly. With either team, Engram could be primed for a bounce-back season as a TE1 in fantasy.

The Los Angeles Chargers are re-signing free-agent center Bradley Bozeman to a two-year deal worth up to $12 million, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. The former Ravens first-round pick out of Alabama in 2018 has played in 113 games with 94 career starts between his time with the Ravens, Panthers, and Chargers. He logged 17 starts at center last year for L.A. and is back with the team for the 2025 campaign. The 30-year-old will be tasked with protecting franchise quarterback Justin Herbert and paving running lanes for new Chargers ball carrier Najee Harris.

The Buffalo Bills have agreed to terms with free-agent wide receiver Joshua Palmer, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. The former Los Angeles Chargers wideout is expected to sign a three-year, $36 million contract with the Bills when the new league year begins on March 12. Palmer was a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Tennessee and has collected 182 receptions for 2,287 yards and 10 touchdowns in 59 career games. Palmer's counting stats aren't all that impressive, but he's been a solid receiving option for Justin Herbert during his four-year NFL career. Palmer could be a significant fantasy football riser playing alongside Josh Allen with limited target competition in Buffalo.

Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack reached an agreement on Monday on a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. After the Chargers released pass-rusher Joey Bosa last week, it was imperative that the Chargers retain linebacker Mack after he decided in the offseason that he would be returning for another season. The 34-year-old veteran, three-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler wasn't quite as good as he was in 2024 as he was in 2023 when he had a career-best 17 sacks, but he was still productive. Mack finished with 39 tackles (20 solo), six sacks, six tackles for loss, 15 QB hits, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 16 regular-season starts. Mack will still be relevant in IDP fantasy leagues in what will likely be his final season, but the absence of Bosa will probably mean more double-teams.

The Los Angeles Chargers have informed veteran running back Gus Edwards that he will be released in the coming days, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Edwards appeared in just 11 games in 2024, his only season with the Chargers, rushing for 365 yards and four touchdowns on 101 carries. With Edwards now a free-agent, the Chargers could have an entirely revamped backfield in 2025 with J.K. Dobbins also an unrestricted free-agent. There is a good chance the Chargers target a running back in the 2025 NFL draft in what is shaping up as a loaded class at the position. Edwards will now look to latch on with another team as an early-down and short-yardage grinder.

The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Wednesday that they have released five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa. The Chargers decided Bosa's $36.47 million salary cap hit in 2025 wasn't justified for a declining pass-rusher that played in only 28 games over the last three seasons due to various injuries. By releasing him, the Bolts will only take on $11.11 in dead money. The 29-year-old former third overall selection in 2016 out of Ohio State played in 14 games (nine starts) in 2024 and finished with just 22 tackles (17 solo), five sacks, five tackles for loss, 13 QB hits and two forced fumbles. He hasn't had a double-digit-sack season since 2021. Bosa will have a market in free agency, but fantasy managers in IDP formats should be passing in 2025 given his inability to stay on the field regularly in recent seasons.