The Los Angeles Chargers still have a need to fill at cornerback before the first snap of the 2026 season is played.
Under Joe Hortiz, the secondary (outside of Derwin James) has largely been considered replaceable. Jesse Minter did an excellent job elevating the play of Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, and Cam Hart, and it seems like the prevailing thought within the building is that Chris O'Leary can do the same.
Of course, Los Angeles has some long-term concerns at cornerback given Jackson's looming free agency and the end of Still and Hart's rookie contracts after 2027. But in the short-term, this is reflected by their loss of Benjamin St-Juste this offseason, who signed a two-year, $9.8 million deal with the Green Bay Packers.
Perhaps a veteran replacement could be coming in training camp. But as of now, it seems as though Eric Rogers, who made the team as a UDFA last season, could have a real shot at seizing the role for himself.
Eric Rogers should be considered the favorite to claim the final rotational CB spot (for now)
Losing St-Juste shouldn't be considered a massive blow. While he showed major improvements in Minter's scheme, he certainly wasn't worth the deal that Green Bay doled out to him. There were enough shaky moments in coverage to be doubtful of what he could provide moving into the new scheme.
But he did play 37% of the Chargers' defensive snaps across 16 games last season. Even with steps forward from Still and Hart, part of that snap share will need to be replaced.
This is where eyes should turn to Rogers. Rogers ultimately didn't play a snap in 2025 after he suffered an injury in the preseason, but he has the upside both in coverage and against the run to see some real opportunity with Los Angeles this year. In his final season at Rutgers, he posted 37 tackles and three PBUs primarily as an outside corner— where St-Juste played almost all of his snaps last season.
There will be competition in Deane Leonard and Isas Waxter. But Leonard has already taken on a major role as a special-teams contributor, and Waxter has inconsistencies as a tackler that could give Rogers the upper-hand in any roster battle.
At this point, it's likely that Los Angeles is waiting to see what they have in training camp (and how they want to distribute their roster spots) before making a decision on St-Juste's replacement. But if no veteran help is coming— especially after Rasul Douglas came off the market— Rogers could soon get the opportunity of a lifetime.
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Follow