EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — A year ago, Tony Jefferson returned to the Baltimore Ravens for his third stint with the team, but it was in a different way. He turned in his helmet and pads for a computer.
He became a scouting intern for them, which meant more work hours and watching a lot of film. It wasn't film of the defense or the offense he was facing that week. It was film of different players around the country.
"I really respect scouts way more now," he said. "Because like as a player, you don't really see all that.
"You don't see the back of the backhand work that they do, but they do so much for the organizations and finding players and bringing them in and spending all the hours staring at a screen."
Even while working as a scout for the Ravens, he stayed in shape and kept working out. He was working back from a Lisfranc injury he suffered in 2022 as a member of the New York Giants.
After the 2024 season came to an end, he had a plan to return to the NFL.
"The itch never went away," Jefferson said.
In June, he announced his intention to play in the NFL again. But for which team?
Jefferson had set up a tryout with a team until a familiar name, Joe Hortiz, reached out to him. They had been together with the Ravens for years, and when Jefferson was a scout, they were co-workers.
Hortiz, though, was no longer the Ravens' Director of Player Personnel. He was the general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers and wanted Jefferson to come in for a tryout.
"I ended up canceling everything else and just coming here because I felt like it was the best opportunity," Jefferson said.
The opportunity is unique because while Jefferson knows Hortiz, nothing was promised to him. He will have to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, which is something he is used to.
"Everything's gonna have to be earned," Jefferson said. "I wouldn't want any other type of way."
Jefferson was given an opportunity after he went undrafted in 2013 and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals. He quickly made a name for himself, playing at a high level next to Tyrann Mathieu and cornerback Patrick Peterson.
Jefferson cashed in on a career year in 2016, recording 96 tackles (13 for loss), two sacks, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, earning a four-year deal worth $36 million with Baltimore.
Joining the Ravens meant Super Bowl champion head coach John Harbaugh would coach him. Oddly enough, that was not his first interaction with a Harbaugh brother.
He attended Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, Calif., and was a dynamic running back and safety. His first visit and commitment were to Stanford, where Jim Harbaugh coached.
Ultimately, Jefferson chose to play for Bob Stoops at Oklahoma, but he stayed in contact with Harbaugh throughout the years. Fast forward to now, and he had an opportunity to team up with Jim, which he couldn't pass up.
"I have respect for all of the Harbaugh's because they are my kind of coaches," he said.
Jefferson took the opportunity to try out during minicamp and was signed as the team broke for its six weeks off before camp started.
Joining the Chargers gave him the chance to reunite with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who was also with him in Baltimore.
"Just a pro's pro that is very knowledgeable of some of the things we're doing defensively," Minter said of Jefferson after minicamp. "He's also been a guy you can move around and put in different spots.
"You can play him at safety, you can play him at dime, you can play him at nickel. I think he still has some of those traits. It's certainly great to have him here, and I think he really wants to play."
The itch never left for Jefferson, so he is ready to play. He showed it on the first day of camp as he came up with an interception on one of his first plays on 7 on 7, then forced and recovered a fumble during 11 on 11.
"The first day, the body was like, 'sheesh!'" Jefferson joked.
Fellow safety Derwin James was vocal during the minicamp about wanting Jefferson on the team because he shares his knowledge about the Minter defensive scheme and also fits personality-wise.
"He's helping guys, he's telling me stuff that I can get better," James said. "I'm telling him stuff, and we're working hand in hand.
"Alohi (Gilman), me and Jefferson, we feel like we're the three leaders in that room, and we're getting better."
After Saturday's practice, while the players were working out with the strength and conditioning team, Jefferson, Gilman, and James were joking around while focusing on the drill.
Jefferson is even teaching Gilman how to speak Spanish.
"Having a guy like me come in and allow me to share my knowledge," Jefferson said. "There's no pride in there.
"That's the best way to build a culture and a locker room. I think they're going in the right direction as far as building a culture."
Since he was hired, culture has been a big part of what Harbaugh has wanted to instill in the Chargers team. He is teaching them about unity and, most importantly, winning —something they haven't done.
One of the reasons that Jefferson decided to join the Chargers was because of the team's two leaders. On one side is James, considered a top safety in the league, and quarterback Justin Herbert.
"He's a beast," Jefferson said of James. "I'm honored to be able to be his teammate.
"The way he works. The ability that he has and chess piece that he could be for a defense is just out of this world."
In the NFL, there is a belief that if you have a great quarterback, winning will come, and the Chargers have one of the better young quarterbacks.
"I've been in awe just seeing Justin throw the football," Jefferson said. "His ability to move around the pocket, his stature, and size. I know I sound like a scout right now.
"But it's hard not to be mesmerized with a quarterback like that. With a quarterback like that, the sky's the limit for the football team."
He admitted that sometimes he is hard on himself, especially after his second practice, when he felt he could have performed better. His body is at a hundred percent, but Jefferson tries to remind himself to take it all in and remember it takes time.
"I expect great things just because the last time I was on the field, I was running the show," Jefferson said. "I was confident and doing all that.
"I know I'm going to get there, but it's a process."
Jefferson has worked in every unit so far and has made plays. Harbaugh often uses the word "glide, " meaning he wants them to grow into practice and their roles gradually.
"He's trying to get himself back and get himself going," Minter explained. "So really just look forward to that process.
"I think it's a great addition to the room in that regard of being a leader being a guy that's done it and yeah, so look forward to just seeing how all that all that shakes out as we go through camp."
Jefferson is a valuable all-round tool that brings something to the field and the classroom. He brings 492 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, and 20 quarterback hits. He also brings the knowledge that he has gained from coaches like Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Bruce Arians (Arizona) and John Harbaugh (Ravens).
He is still looking for an opportunity to win his first Super Bowl ring, as are the Chargers and Harbaugh. They hope to do it together.
"I still have more in the tank," Jefferson, "and that I still have more to prove."