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The Chargers defense was one of the best parts of the 2025 season
If there was one thing going right for the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2025 season, it was the defense.
The Bolts’ D was one of the best in the league, placing in the top 10 in points per game and total yards allowed.
The defensive front was one of the best in the league, taking down opposing quarterbacks 45 times in the season, tied for the 10th most in the league.
With the offseason approaching, it’s time for LA to keep those core defenders for the upcoming season.
Keeping Under the Radar Player
GettyThe Chargers defense was one of the best in the 2025 season
In the 2025 season, the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense was one of the best at defending the pass game, despite not having any big-name players in the backfield.
They were allowing 179.9 pass yards per game, the fifth-lowest in the league and were tied for the third-most interceptions at 19.
After some coaching staff changes, the Bolts can now decide to keep players for the 2026 season, with CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles urging the Bolts to retain cornerback Benjamin St-Juste.
“Signed to just a one-year, $2.5 million deal, Benjamin St.-Juste had a strong season out of nowhere. He finished as PFF’s No. 11 cornerback, ahead of several bigger names,” Pereles wrote.
“St-Juste is a big, physical cornerback, and often that physicality got him in trouble when he was with Washington. If he has turned the corner, though, the Chargers should retain him.”
The cornerback allowed almost 1,500 passing yards in the previous two seasons of his career with the Washington Commanders. In his one season with the Chargers? Just 243 yards.
St-Juste allowed a minimum of two passing touchdowns per season in his first four years as a professional. But in his only season in the City of Angels, he allowed only one.
When quarterbacks target the Canadian defender, they average a passer rating of 64, according to PFF.
The former third-round selection turned his career around and was a major part of the Chargers’ defense; all LA has to do is give him a nice contract. And with $83.5 million in cap space, the team can give the cornerback quite an impressive deal.
New Defensive Coordinator
GettyBenjamin St-Juste will have a new defensive coordinator if he returns to the Chargers
With how the Los Angeles Chargers performed the past two seasons, it allowed former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to receive a promotion, taking the Baltimore Ravens head coaching job.
The Bolts replaced Minter with former safeties coach and former Western Michigan defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary.
While the new hire does have a good track record in collegiate football, Benjamin St-Juste may be deterred by the new DC due to the system.
As mentioned, St-Juste had his best season with Minter as his defensive playcaller. Now a free agent, Minter and his coaching staff may lure the cornerback to Baltimore and reunite with his old coach.
Either way, St-Juste is set up to have some success next season.
Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia
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