Tony Jefferson released by Chargers

The Chargers made multiple trades, including one right at the roster cuts deadline, freeing up a roster spot for Jefferson. The team was initially expected to cut him before their second trade. Jefferson will remain a depth option for LA’s defense.

Jefferson retired in 2023, with most of his best seasons coming under John Harbaugh in Baltimore. He came out of retirement to play for Jim Harbaugh in LA two seasons ago and didn’t miss a beat. He appeared in 13 games with eight starts last year and also started the team’s lone postseason contest. Jefferson broke up seven passes, stole four interceptions, and logged a combined 57 tackles. A $2 million contract suggests a minor role for him this season, but he has proven to be a valuable depth option for the perennially-injured Chargers.

Jefferson came out of retirement to play for Jim Harbaugh in 2024. He was released by the team this year at the end of camp but immediately joined LA’s practice squad. He started for the Chargers versus the Raiders last week and broke up two passes with one interception. The strong performance was enough to earn him a permanent spot on the roster.

Jefferson signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in March. He played extensively in all of the Chargers’ preseason games, logging one pass breakup, one interception, three tackles, one quarterback pressure and one sack.

Jefferson un-retired in 2024 and joined the Chargers on a one-year deal. He ended up opening the year on the practice squad but was later signed to the active roster. He would go on to appear in eight regular season games while making four starts and racked up 27 tackles and one TFL in limited action. The team’s decision to bring him back doesn’t mean he’ll be a lock to make the 53-man roster. Jefferson will likely still have to compete for a spot in training camp.

Jefferson has been on the Chargers practice squad after spending all of training camp with them. The veteran safety could see an increased role in Week 4 against the Chiefs, with starter Derwin James set to serve a one-game suspension. Jefferson hasn’t played a regular-season snap since 2022.

Jefferson is in the midst of an NFL comeback after spending 2022 away from the game. The veteran safety played on 109 snaps in the preseason, per PFF, totaling 10 tackles and one forced fumble. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Jefferson is expected to join the team’s practice squad, meaning a return to the 53-man roster could be in store down the line.

Jefferson last played for the Giants in 2022, totaling 22 tackles and one pass breakup in nine games. The 32-year-old vet played four seasons with the Ravens under head coach John Harbaugh and will now join Jim Harbaugh as a member of the Chargers. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz also spent time with the Jefferson, as Hortiz worked with the Ravens in multiple roles from 1998 to 2023. Jefferson can provide a veteran presence to the Chargers’ secondary but is unlikely to earn a significant role outside of making the occasional spot start.

Jefferson has ties to several members of the Chargers staff. Jim Harbaugh is the older brother of Jefferson’s former coach, John Harbaugh, and Chargers GM Joe Hortiz was in Baltimore during Jefferson’s previous tenure with the team. After sitting out the 2023 season, Jefferson has decided he’s interested in a return and will get a chance to leave his mark with the Chargers in the coming weeks. Jefferson will be 32 this season. While his best days as a player are likely behind him, his experience as a starter would bring added value to any roster that’s looking to add depth in its secondary.

Jefferson has plans to play this upcoming season, according to Schultz. He has been training and intends to talk to teams after he spent last season with the Ravens as a scouting intern. In his playing career, Jefferson spent four seasons with the Cardinals before becoming a full time starter with the Ravens for two seasons. After that, Jefferson spent 2020 out of football and bounced between the 49ers, Ravens again, and Giants for two seasons. He retired and joined the Ravens as a scouting intern, but is now looking to return. The safety market still has players like Jamal Adams and Justin Simmons available and Jefferson has thrown his name into the mix.