Free-agent safety Tony Jefferson has come out of retirement to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers, via NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Jefferson tried out for the Chargers during the team's minicamp and impressed, resulting in him landing a spot on the roster. He also has a history with Los Angeles general manager Joe Hortiz, who was a member of the Baltimore Ravens' organization during Jefferson's time with the Ravens between 2017 and 2021.
The 32-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Oklahoma, went undrafted in 2013 but ultimately landed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent. He spent the first four years of his career with the Cardinals and carved out a significant role as soon as his sophomore campaign.
After four seasons in the desert, Jefferson moved on to Baltimore, where he would actually have multiple stints over a period of four-and-a-half years. He initially signed with the Ravens in 2017 and was then released in February 2020. After a brief cup of coffee with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, he re-joined Baltimore in January of that same season after being waived.
Jefferson also spent one season with the New York Giants in 2022 before retiring.
He certainly has never been an elite safety, but he has always been serviceable. Of course, it remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank and if he even makes the Chargers' 53-man roster in training camp.
The Chargers are getting a fresh start in 2024
With Jim Harbaugh now in tow as the Chargers' head coach, the team is getting a fresh start this coming season.
Los Angeles underwent many changes this offseason, as it lost a bunch of key offensive pieces. However, the players already seem to love Harbaugh and are buying into his system. He has certainly had success on the NFL level, leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance back during the 2012-13 campaign, so he has an established track record.
But will the Chargers actually be good enough to make any noise in 2024?
As of right now, Los Angeles' roster is pretty limited. Yes, LA has Justin Herbert at quarterback, but he is very short on weapons after losing Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler and Gerald Everett over the last several months. The Bolts also ranked 28th in the NFL in defense last season, so there is obviously work that needs to be done.
The Chargers went 5-12 in 2023, and on paper, they don't look like they are going to be much better once this autumn rolls around. That being said, a good coach can make all of the difference in the world, so we'll see if Harbaugh can extract the best out of what he has at his disposal.
Los Angeles has made just two playoff appearances since 2014 and three since 2010. The Bolts most recently qualified for the postseason during the 2022-23 campaign, when they blew a 27-point to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a Wild Card Round loss.
The Chargers will kick off their regular season when they host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 8.
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