The Chargers didn’t have to look far to bolster their run defense on Monday.
Former Rams nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day is reportedly joining the Chargers on a three-year, $24 million contract with $15 million fully guaranteed.
Joseph-Day, 26, was a productive run stopper for the Rams and had his best season in 2020 when Chargers coach Brandon Staley was the defensive coordinator. Joseph-Day missed 13 games with a pectoral muscle injury last season, but he was able to return for the Rams’ Super Bowl victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Rams drafted Joseph-Day in the sixth round in 2018.
The Chargers’ drastic defensive makeover started with the splashy acquisitions of edge rusher Khalil Mack, who was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears last week, and cornerback J.C. Jackson, who reportedly agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million contract earlier Monday.
But Staley’s two-high defensive scheme doesn’t work without a stout interior defensive line, something the team lacked last season when the defense allowed 138.9 rushing yards per game, the third-worst mark in the NFL.
Now the Chargers’ star-studded defense of Mack, Jackson, safety Derwin James and edge rusher Joey Bosa can take flight with Joseph-Day clogging the running lanes.
The Chargers also added interior defensive line depth on Monday after they reportedly agreed to terms on a two-year deal with former New York Giants defensive tackle Austin Johnson. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Johnson’s deal is worth up to $14 million.
With the additions of Joseph-Day and Johnson, that likely means the Chargers plan to move on from free-agent defensive tackle Justin Jones, the team’s best run stopper last season. Jones missed six games last season because of injuries and hasn’t played more than 13 games in a season since his rookie year in 2018.
Jones, nose tackle Linval Joseph, edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, linebacker Kyzir White and slot cornerback Chris Harris Jr. are all free agents who started for the Chargers last season. It wouldn’t be a surprise if none returned with the Chargers still having position needs on the offensive line and special teams.
After Day 1 of free agency, the Chargers’ defense looks new and improved.