The Los Angeles Chargers defensive line was one of the best in the league at taking down the quarterback, registering 45 sacks on the season, tied for the tenth-most in the league.
With a new defensive coordinator, after Jesse Minter’s departure to become the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, the Bolts can start stocking up pieces on the defensive side of the ball.
Adding 45 Sack Pass Rusher
GettyLA can add some more weapons off the edge.
Third-year defender Tuli Tuipulotu led the Los Angeles Chargers in sacks, taking down opposing quarterbacks 13 times, which is also the sixth-most in the NFL.
The next player on the Chargers had around half of Tuli’s numbers, so getting someone to complement the pass rusher on the other side of the defensive line is a priority for the team.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton names the Chargers’ dream trade scenario, acquiring Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE rusher Alex Highsmith.
“Last offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed edge-rusher T.J. Watt to a three-year extension worth $123 million. They may now have to decide between Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig for the long term. Highsmith has no guaranteed money for the final two years of his deal. Coming off a 7.5-sack campaign, Herbig is entering a contract year,” Moton wrote. “The Steelers could entertain trade proposals for the latter, then promote the former to a full-time starting role opposite Watt.”
“If Highsmith is the odd man out of the Steelers’ pass-rushing rotation, he could be a solid addition to the Los Angeles Chargers’ edge-rusher group… With Pro Bowler Tuli Tuipulotu commanding attention on one side, Highsmith could take advantage of one-on-one opportunities on his side of the line.”
Highsmith, who will enter his seventh season in the league next season, has recorded 45 sacks and 337 tackles in his career. The Steelers’ defender recorded his best season when he logged 14.5 sacks and tied for the most forced fumbles in the 2022 season.
With multiple Bolts’ pass rushers hitting the free agent market, acquiring a proven threat in the pass rush will help LA’s pass rush, which is facing some questions entering the next season.
The EDGE rusher had a 78 pass rush grade and 82.4 run block grade by Pro Football Focus, which can be valuable to a solid Chargers defense.
Moton mentioned that Odafe Oweh will enter free agency and Khalil Mack is mulling retirement, saying that Highsmith can “balance” the pass rush in the City of Angels.
Oweh will be a hot name when free agency starts after recording 7.5 sacks in 12 games for the Chargers, making it hard for the team to retain the defender on a steep contract.
New Defensive Coordinator
GettyThe Chargers replaced Jesse Minter with a collegiate football hire
The Los Angeles Chargers’ new defensive coordinator, Chris O’Leary, will have some big shoes to fill, replacing Jesse Minter.
The former DC had the Bolts’ defense playing among the best in the league in his two seasons as the defensive playcaller under Jim Harbaugh.
O’Leary has previously worked under Harbaugh as the safeties coach in the 2024 season, before taking the defensive coordinator job at Western Michigan.
Now back under the Harbaugh, O’Leary can be the next possible former collegiate football DC to excel in the NFL.
“Every day that I come in the building, it will be to make these players proud and give them something to aspire to and to go achieve and also to make them proud because they’ve given me this opportunity,” O’Leary said, via the Chargers.
“I have the confidence in myself that the foundation of this defense, what makes this defense special and different, I own those areas… I feel I have a mastery of those areas.”
Under O’Leary, Western Michigan allowed 17.4 points per game, the ninth-lowest in the NCAA and tied for the fourth-most sacks in the country.
Taking the next step in his coaching career, the new DC has the opportunity to elevate a well-rounded Chargers pass rush.