Veteran security Tony Jefferson ends retirement, joins Chargers

LOS ANGELES — The Chargers signed security Tony Jefferson on Friday, the staff introduced.

Jefferson spent final season as a scouting intern with the Baltimore Ravens after asserting his retirement in Could 2023. As an intern, he labored underneath present Chargers common supervisor Joe Hortiz, who was then the Ravens’ director of participant personnel.

Earlier than turning to scouting, Jefferson performed for 10 seasons within the NFL. That included 3½ seasons in Baltimore, the place he labored with present Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach for the Ravens from 2017 to 2020.

“Tony’s a man I’ve recognized since 2017 and only a professional’s professional that may be very educated of among the issues that we’re doing defensively,” Minter stated. “… I feel he actually needs to play. He is acquired himself again into soccer form over the past couple months, and so it will be fascinating to see the way it shakes out.”

Jefferson final performed with the New York Giants in 2022, the place he appeared in 9 video games and had 23 tackles.

The Chargers introduced Jefferson in for the staff’s minicamp on a tryout foundation, and he made a robust impression on teammates, together with All-Professional security Derwin James Jr.

James instructed reporters Thursday that Jefferson has helped gamers perceive the terminology in Minter’s scheme and that he hoped the staff would signal Jefferson.

Jefferson, 32, will compete for the third spot on the Chargers’ security depth chart behind Alohi Gilman and James. It is an necessary place for the Chargers as a result of James will doubtless play some slot cornerback, edge rusher and different positions on the protection.

James had alluded to that, telling reporters, “That enables me to maneuver round a bit of bit.”

Jefferson is the most recent former Ravens participant to affix the Chargers, following a prolonged record that features tight finish Hayden Hurst, working backs Gus Edwards and J.Okay. Dobbins, heart Bradley Bozeman, and tight finish Ben Mason.