Meanwhile at cornerback, it’s shaping up to be a position with a lot of competition in camp.
Still headlines the group after leading the team in interceptions as a rookie and holding down a starting role for most of the season.
He’s displayed those ball skills so far in the offseason program and continues to settle into the NFL, as he and Hart will have a chance to carve out a role heading into Year 2.
“It’s extremely competitive right now,” Chargers defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale said. “Tarheeb and [Hart], those guys were rookies last year, now they’re the cream of the crop, they’re trying to get better.
“The older guys that we brought in are competing with them and then some of the guys that’s been around, that’s improving the last two years, are giving them competition as well,” Clinkscale added.
The veteran additions included Jackson and St-Juste, both of whom have a lot of experience in the NFL and offer something different for the group.
“It was almost like one of those two for ones, where we lost a guy, felt like we could use some depth there, a mixture of size and speed,” Minter said.
He later added: “At corner nowadays, sometimes you’re kind of trying to create a little bit of like a basketball team where you can match up differently on different people.”
They join a room that has other players, like Taylor and Leonard, who have also seen their fair share of NFL action and will be in the mix as well.
The Chargers used a draft pick on Bridges in the seventh round, while Reed, Purchase, Oladokun and Rogers were added following the draft as free agents.
Player to Watch: Tarheeb Still
Still made the most of his opportunities when they came and took over a starting spot as a rookie.
He finished in the top 10 of passer rating against and run defense grade among rookie cornerbacks with at least 300 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He was also top five in defense (73.7) and coverage (73.3) in the same category.
And now he has a chance to further solidify himself in the 2025 version of the Chargers defense.
The young cornerback has gotten praise this offseason for his work in the building, whether it is alongside veterans like Khalil Mack or growth in the film room.
He feels even more confident about where he’s at now having a full offseason in the NFL.
“I would say having my eyes in the right spot, knowing what I’m looking at, knowing my keys because that could take me where I need to be. I’m really just having my eyes in the right spot, making sure I’m over communicating with the linebackers, other corners, safeties.”
Not only that but as Still continues to grow as a player on the field, he’s also developing into one of the leaders of the defense as well.
“And the thing I’m seeing him do? I’m seeing him lead,” Clinkscale said. “It’s in the front, he runs and tries to win every sprint, he’s in the front of every drill.
“He’s talking to the young guys because he was just there this time last year,” Clinkscale added.
Another big year from Still could mean great things for the young Chargers defense that is looking to build on last year’s successes.