$34 million free agent Tony Jefferson visits the NFL team the Los Angeles Chargers and his return may be imminent to the league. According to a report, the veteran wants to return to the field by trying out for the Chargers. The San Diego native has a link with the team after general manager Joe Hortiz was with the Ravens during Jefferson’s tenure there. It wasn’t long before the word went out there that Jefferson was returning to the gridiron.
The safety was in retirement last season after spending his 2022 campaign with the New York Giants. He didn’t get the opportunity until week 18 of the regular season in January 2023. However, he had more consistency in his career by starting all 35 games with the Ravens from 2017-2019. It was later that he didn’t get back to his old self after suffering a torn ACL and his first go-around with the club.
Jefferson spent last season as an intern scout for the Ravens until he said he wanted to come out of retirement. He joins a pool of competitive safeties in the league along with Justin Simmons and Jamal Adams. However, guys like Eddie Jackson, Marcus Maye and Micah Hyde are still looking for work while Jefferson seems to be the cheaper option available for teams. He won’t provide the same upside as them but it’s a low-cost choice for teams to consider him for depth.
It’s safe to assume after being a journeyman in his career, he won’t make an immediate impact on a team. He’ll be more of a backup or third-stringer to see what he can produce at his age until he possibly emerges as a starter. In his career, he was able to notch 492 tackles, eight forced fumbles and four interceptions.
$34 Million Free Agent Tony Jefferson Visit NFL Team, Return May Be Imminent
Other Possible Fits
Kansas City Chiefs
Joshua Williams is set to start for the first time in his career while cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is off to the Titans. This leaves Trent McDuffie as the lone lockdown cornerback who’s reliable for this defense. It probably won’t be the same “no-fly zone” season for the Chiefs considering they were explosive when Sneed was around. Jefferson isn’t going to provide the same mentality but it’s better to add him for depth while the Chiefs explore high-priced options.
It shouldn’t make the team budge to upgrade at the position since they haven’t done anything to improve their secondary. Those who are concerned with the receiver position should watch how different the secondary could be this upcoming season if there are no changes.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have one of the best safeties in the league with Tyrann Mathieu. However, they’re going to need some depth to fill the box with more explosions in the secondary. Jefferson is looking to reignite his career so there’s no better way of doing so by rebuilding in New Orleans. Mathieu is getting older so they need some insurance policy in their secondary to help.
He shouldn’t cost too much and since Jefferson could take a one-year, low-cost deal then it’s a win-win for both sides. Jefferson doesn’t need a mega contract to start, he just needs the opportunity. Marcus Maye is no longer around so they need someone to fill in as a replacement to help boost the roster.
Carolina Panthers
The depth may seem fine but in the world of the NFL, you can never have enough safeties to stack the box. The Panthers were able to sign Nick Scott for depth this offseason but Jefferson could be brought in on a bargain. Carolina doesn’t need to whip out loads like how they have to with Simmons and Adams. The best solution to bring a low-cost safety after Jared Fuller, Xavier Woods and Sam Franklin are set to hit free agency next season.
