S Tony Jefferson To Visit Chargers

News of Tony Jefferson‘s attempt to return to the NFL came with a report of teams showing interest. The veteran safety now has a tryout lined up with a potential suitor.

Jefferson will take part in the Chargers’ minicamp, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. That will allow him the opportunity to earn a contract and the chance to compete for a roster spot during training camp in the summer. The 32-year-old last played in 2022 with the Giants.

That campaign was followed by a decision to hang up his cleats and join the Ravens’ scouting department. Now, Jefferson intends to land a new gig in the NFL, and a Chargers agreement would allow him to reunite with a number of familiar faces. Several former Baltimore coaches and front office members have joined head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz in Los Angeles this offseason.

That includes defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who as expected was tapped by Harbaugh to carry on his current capacity after working under him at Michigan. Minter was with the Ravens from 2017-20, working as a defensive backs coach during that span. That allowed him to overlap with Jefferson during his time in Baltimore, and the upcoming tryout could pave the way for a reunion.

Los Angeles has Derwin James on the books with a $19MM-per-year accord, but none of the team’s other safety pacts come close in value. The Chargers – who did not add at the position during the draft – retained Alohi Gilman this offseason on a two-year, $10.13MM deal. Those two are positioned to continue as starters, but a depth role could be available for Jefferson. The Bolts allowed Jaylinn Hawkins to depart in free agency, and Dean Marlowe remains unsigned.

Entering Monday with over $26MM in cap space, the Chargers can certainly afford to take a flier on Jefferson. The former UDFA will all-but assuredly not represent an expensive acquisition for Los Angeles or any other teams which show interest in the near future.