Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz spoke at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, on several topics.
He and coach Jim Harbaugh are entering their second season together with many question marks heading into free agency and the draft.
There is a lot of information to get to, and then I will give my take on the topic, except for the final topic.
Mack Back?
Hortiz told ESPN's Kris Rhim that the team has had positive conversations with veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack, who is set to enter free agency.
"Khalil has never been a free agent in his life, and so it might be something where Khalil wants to just say, 'Hey, I was a free agent, I did it, and I came back to LA,'" Hortiz said via Kris Rhim of ESPN. "If it gets to that, that's my hope."
My take: The Chargers should want Mack back and Mack wants to return, as he told the media during exit interviews. He is familiar with this team and coaching staff, so why go anywhere else? This team is going to get better and could soon become a legitimate contender.
If they can finalize a deal with Mack and improve the front seven as they have promised, he could be in for a big 2025.
Slater extension?
This has been a topic of conversation since Harbaugh got to LA, especially when the Chargers drafted a left tackle out of Notre Dame with the 5th overall pick last season.
Joe Alt was converted to right tackle, and the Chargers want Rashawn Slater to be their left tackle for the next few years and Alt to be their right tackle.
Slater is entering his fifth-year option season with over $19 million base salary.
"We've had conversations," Hortiz said via Kris Rhim of ESPN. "I love Rashawn. And Rashawn is a great player, and he helps us win football games, so I'd love Rashawn to be around for a long time."
My take: Slater wants to be in LA, and the Chargers want him to be in LA. If they can negotiate a deal with him, the Slater cap hit will go down, and the Chargers will have the best tandem of left and right tackles in the NFL.
They need to sign him up and start focusing on the interior of the offensive line.
Bosa staying?
Another topic of conversation that has lingered for a while is Keenan Allen versus Mike Williams versus Mack versus Bosa. Last offseason, the Chargers could only realistically keep two—they kept the edge rushers on a pay cut.
The same question arises with Bosa, who is set to be a $36 million cap hit. Last year, he went down to $15 million with 22 tackles, 5 sacks, and 13 QB hits.
"I know he wants to retire a Charger," Hortiz said via Kris Rhim of ESPN. "I'd love for him to retire a Charger. I love Joey -- the teammate, the competitor."
Brandon Sloter / Sporting Tribune
Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up prior to a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
My take: The Chargers have to think long and hard about whether they can find other pass-rushing help in the open market for high production and cheaper. Bosa avoided significant injuries in 2025, but the cap hit was serious.
Molden contract extension
Safety Elijah Molden was given a new three-year deal last week, and what a find he was from Hortiz and his staff. They traded a seventh-round pick days before the start of the 2024 season.
He was a big part of their defense and was missed when he suffered the fibula injury in New England. He now returns to a defense he is familiar with and will have an entire offseason with them.
"We played a lot of three safeties last year, and so that allows us to stay with what we found successful last year," Hortiz said. "It lets Derwin be Derwin, and that was a huge extension for us, so we're very happy that got done."
My take: Chargers secondary would take a positive leap forward in 2025, and this was the first domino. Molden fit like a glove in Jesse Minter's defense, so they wanted and needed him back. Now, they must continue to add to a young area of their defense.
Bolting up receivers?
It is no secret that the Chargers need help at the receiver position. Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey was phenomenal and proved to be Justin Herbert's go-to weapon but like Kylo Ren said in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (terrible movie), "MORE!"
They do need more weapons. Quentin Johnston did improve under the new regime, but the more, the merrier. Hortiz had a great quote when asked about it.
"We're linked to every receiver out there," Hortiz said via Kris Rhim of ESPN. "It's unbelievable. I mean, just go on Twitter, and it's like, 'Oh, this guy, this guy, this guy.'"
My take: They do need help at the receiver position. Whether through free agency, trade or draft, they need to improve the weaponry around their quarterback.
Zion at center?
The interior of the offensive line is a big question mark heading into the offseason. The team could save money by cutting right guard Trey Pipkins and center Bradley Bozeman, who is due to hit free agency.
Hortiz was asked about the possibility at center and left guard Zion Johnson was named as being a fit.
"I think he can do it. I really do," Hortiz said via Chargers. "I know he's working at it right now. And so I think Zion can do it and we got other guys you don't really know yet. They were younger, not as much opportunity, that have been working at it as well."
My take: Harbaugh likes tinkering with players like Pipkins and moving him to guard, which could mean they plan to attack both guard positions during free agency or the draft. He also mentioned draft prospects for the center position. This is all strange. Johnson should be on the team in 2025, but with this regime, anything can happen.
Going O-line again?
The Chargers have selected an offensive line in three out of the last four drafts, so could they do it again?
"I never think a position is solidified other than quarterback and even with quarterback, you better have depth behind him, right?" Hortiz said. "So no, I would never say any position our team is solidified, because every year is different."
My take: Again, the interior line is a big talking point, so it shouldn't come as a surprise if Harbaugh and Co. again go offensive line for this selection.
Playing in Brazil
Hortiz was asked about the Chargers starting the 2025 season in Brazil against an opponent to be named later. It will be on Friday, September 5th.
He said the team was excited about the opportunity, but they started thinking about when they should leave and looking at the details when it was rumored to be them.
"It'll be a little challenge navigating it, but I think we'll have a good plan for it," Hortiz said.
When the Eagles started their 2024 season in Brazil against the Packers, concerns about the surface were evident during the game.
Hortiz said they don't have such concerns.
"I know last year there were some questions on it, but I know they've improved the surface," Hortiz said.