The Chargers addressed a glaring need Thursday by agreeing with Da’Shawn Hand, a former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle, on a one-year contract worth up to $3.35 million.
The Chargers lost defensive lineman Poona Ford to the Rams on a three-year deal earlier this week.
Ford played one season with the Chargers and helped them become the NFL’s top-ranked defense, giving up a league-low 17.7 points per game during the 2024 season. Ford signed a relatively modest one-season contract worth $1.125 last year, but opted for a longer and bigger payday with the Rams this year.
The Rams’ deal with Ford is potentially worth up to $29.6 million.
Conventional wisdom suggested that the Chargers needed upgrades on their defensive and offensive lines after they were dominated by the Houston Texans during a 32-12 loss in an AFC wild-card game Jan. 11. The addition of Hand is but one addition. Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox remains unsigned.
On the offensive line, the Chargers re-signed center Bradley Bozeman to a two-year, $6.5 million contract Monday. It’s expected that the Chargers will continue to pursue additional offensive linemen as free agency continues, although more help could be had in the NFL draft next month.
In addition to the Dolphins, Hand, 29, has played for the Tennessee Titans and the Detroit Lions, who picked him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He set a career high with 31 tackles in 17 games this past season with the Dolphins. His previous best was 27 tackles as a rookie in 2018.
Hand began his career as a defensive end but moved to tackle with Miami in 2023.
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