The Los Angeles Chargers are finding themselves under the microscope once again, and this time, it’s not for what they did — but for what they didn’t do. As defensive tackle Poona Ford inks a $27.6 million deal with the Tennessee Titans, Chargers fans are left wondering how a glaring need up front was left unaddressed during an already questionable offseason.Ford, a 28-year-old run-stuffer with a reputation for consistency and toughness in the trenches, had been linked to several teams during free agency. Given the Chargers’ struggles defending the run last season — they ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed — Ford seemed like a natural fit to plug the middle and bring some much-needed grit to their defensive line.
Instead, the Chargers front office chose to prioritize other moves, including minor additions in the secondary and depth signings that, so far, have done little to quiet growing concerns about their defensive identity. While the Titans capitalized on Ford’s availability to bolster their interior line, the Chargers watched yet another impact defender slip through their fingers.
Critics are pointing to this as a symptom of broader dysfunction in Los Angeles. New head coach Jesse Minter was brought in with hopes of restoring balance to a team that has long been top-heavy, relying on stars like Justin Herbert and Joey Bosa to carry the load. But the failure to secure a proven run defender like Ford may signal either a miscalculation in the front office or a troubling lack of urgency in fixing one of their most glaring weaknesses.
Chargers fans are already expressing frustration across social media, accusing GM Joe Hortiz of missing the mark in his first major offseason. While there’s still time before the season kicks off, the clock is ticking. With Ford off the board, quality options at nose tackle are dwindling, and the Chargers’ window to compete in a stacked AFC grows narrower by the day.
Whether this decision comes back to haunt them deep into the 2025 season remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: letting Poona Ford walk to Tennessee could become the latest chapter in a growing book of “what-ifs” for the Bolts.