Chargers status at safety
Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman, Tony Jefferson, Elijah Molden, Kendall Williamson and Emany Johnson
The Bolts boast one the deepest starting safety trios in the league.
And while most teams don't employ three safeties on the field at once too often, Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter was able to do so because the trio of James, Molden and Gilman worked so well together.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Chargers played a dime defense (with six defensive backs) on 24.1 percent of their snaps in 2024, good for the third-highest rate in the league.
James excelled in a hybrid slot role as he earned Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro honors at slot cornerback.
But James was only able to play that role because Molden and Gilman provided a steady presence at the normal safety spots on the back end.
Molden, who signed a contract extension with the Bolts before the start of free agency, had a career-best three interceptions in 2024. Gilman remained his reliable self, too, while playing in 11 games.
Jefferson recently re-joined the team, a move that provides strong depth and leadership on the roster.
Williamson appeared in two games for the Chargers in 2024 while Johnson spent part of the season on the practice squad.