The Los Angeles Chargers defense is having its best season since the early 2000s, leading the league in scoring. This is largely due to the elite last few draft classes, and the work general manager Joe Hortiz has done in free agency this past off-season. Whether it was signing Kristian Fulton, Bud Dupree, and Denzel Perryman or trading for young players like Elijah Molden, he churned out this roster to create the best possible product for fans.
However, none of this defensive success would be possible without a) new defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter and b) who Minter deems as the anchor of the entire defense. That would be the Chargers’ biggest free agent steal, Poona Ford.
A Healthy Scratch to The Anchor of The League’s Best Defense: The Chargers Biggest Free Agent Steal
How Was Poona Ford So Underrated?
The story of Ford is one of being the undersized (yet very large) underdog, beating all odds to be successful. Coming out of Texas, the 5’11 defensive tackle found himself undrafted and fighting for a roster spot with the Seattle Seahawks.
For reference, in 2024 Poona Ford is the shortest defensive tackle in the NFL.
After having five successful seasons with the Seahawks, becoming one of the league’s better nose tackles.
Poona Ford is so ridiculously quick. Destroys this run with ease. #Seahawkspic.twitter.com/94cQmp3nNs
— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) October 4, 2019
He then signed with Buffalo to play the same role in Sean McDermott’s defense. Unfortunately, he was a healthy scratch for the majority of the season, playing only 151 total snaps. This is less than half of what he has played with Los Angeles nine games into the season.
Coming off his worst season yet, the Los Angeles Chargers saw a chance to sign Ford for a veteran minimum and to see if he can revive his career under new Chargers defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter.
Poona Ford – 2024 Season Stats and Analysis
Moving into 2024, Ford was looked at being the Chargers defense’s anchor, but one that fans did not have much confidence in. Many believed that defensive tackle is one of the weakest points of the Chargers roster, however, that sentiment was not universal.
Either way, Ford was expected to have a major role in the Chargers defense. In week one, Ford had an 89.2 defensive grade, ranking third among all defensive tackles in the league. It is a great start for the veteran.
Poona Ford sniffing out a screen and playing through the hands of the RB???!!! Seriously, what a debut from the big fella! pic.twitter.com/bdK2rOmgM5
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) September 10, 2024
The undersized defensive tackle’s play diminished slightly in the next weeks to follow, but he still was a very important part of this Chargers defense.
In nine games, Ford 2024 statistics are as follows:
- 75.1 Rush Defense Grade (sixth amongst all defensive tackles with at least 50% of team snaps played)
- 67.9 Pass Rush Grade (23/57 amongst all defensive tackles with at least 50% of team snaps played)
- 12 Pressures
- 2 Sacks
- 9 Stops
Poona Ford is a freak. Bring him back next year! pic.twitter.com/EmlQwsQbR6
— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) November 12, 2024
This impressive 2024 season is not going unnoticed. Chargers defensive coordinator recently said Ford is “the anchor of the defense.”
Chargers DC Jesse Minter calls DT Poona Ford "the anchor of the defense" in allowing the defense to do different things in coverage w/ his ability to stop the run.
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) November 14, 2024
He furthers his comments by adding “We were confident we could get some good football out of him. He has such an elite mindset and how he attacks things… Since we signed him, A++… He’s so dialed into the details of our defense and the offense we’re going against.”
Chargers DC Jesse Minter on Poona Ford: "We were confident we could get some good football out of him. He has such an elite mindset and how he attacks things."
"Since we signed him, A++"
"He's so dialed into the details of our defense and the offense we're going against."
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) November 14, 2024
The outlook for the rest of the 2024 Chargers season is going to rest heavily on Ford’s shoulders. Being the anchor of the league’s best-scoring defense is not an easy task, even if the undrafted Texas defensive tackle makes it look like it.
If he continues this level of play, could the Chargers re-sign their biggest free agent steal this coming off-season?
