The Los Angeles Chargers have most of their top players under contract for the foreseeable future, but as with every season, they have many playing on the last year of their contracts or are on one-year deals. This of course means if they want to get the next big deal, they will have to prove they have what it takes over these next few weeks and months.
Let’s take a look at the 2025 free agents with the most to prove and forecast the decision the team will ultimately make.
Top 2025 Los Angeles Chargers Free Agents
Khalil Mack – Edge
This is the one big fish the Chargers will have to reckon with after the 2024 season. The one big caveat is that as it is a ‘void year,’ the ball is in Khalil Mack‘s court. He can decide to remain under his original contract or test the free agent open market.
History tells us that someone will be willing to pay an edge rusher good money, even if they are aging. Mack will be 34 by the time free agency roles around next year.
Mack will look to follow up on one of this career’s best years, which will almost cement his next contract. If that is the case, the Los Angeles Chargers will be outpriced for his next contract.
Prediction: Mack opts out of his final year to collect one last big contract. The Chargers opt to allow others to fight over him and rely on Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree to fill the role in 2025.
DJ Chark/ Josh Palmer – WR
The Chargers have thrown a lot of spaghetti at the wall at the wide receiver position. DJ Chark is some of that spaghetti.
On the other side, Josh Palmer was inherited by the new regime and will play out the last year of his rookie deal this year.
After two positive seasons on his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chark was injured and has never found as much success.
Conversly Palmer has served faithfully in the Chargers former star receiving duo, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. He’s never been given the shot to get a full season on the field for that reason, but he has filled in well when called upon.
Prediction: Palmer out shines Chark and he is re-signed
Morgan Fox/ Poona Ford – DT
The Chargers interior defensive line is in dire straights and it likely only gets more dire after this season with Morgan Fox and Poona Ford hitting free agency. These two are the only defensive tackles on the Cahrgers roster with starting experience, as they decided to allow Austin Johnson and Nick Williams to walk in free agency and cut Sebastian Joseph-Day before last season ended.
Ford was added as a band-aid to allow the team to field 11 proven football players on defense. Both veteran players are getting to ‘that’ age, but if left unsigned they will be relying on Otito Ogbonnia and Scott Matlock to improve to the level of a starter by seasons end.
Prediction: Ford proves to have a bounce back season after missing nine games due to injury last year. The Chargers re-sign him to a 3-year contract worth $19 million. Fox is allowed to walk in free agency. The Chargers also prioritize the position in the draft.
JK Dobbins – RB
J.K. Dobbins joined the Chargers after an injury riddled stint with the Baltimore Ravens. But when he was able to play, Dobbins was electric. In his rookie season, in which he played 15 games, he rushed for just over six yards per carry and 15 percent of his rushing attempts when for 10 yards or more.
Prediction: Dobbins remains healthy and proves to be explosive, splitting time with Gus Edwards and Kimani Vidal. The Chargers re-sign him to a 4-year contract worth $18 million