The Los Angeles Chargers are bringing back a member of the 2025 defense.
According to NFL insider Dalton Schultz, the Bolts are re-signing safety Tony Jefferson to a one-year, $2 million deal.
A locker room favorite, Jefferson posted career-highs in INTs (4) and passes defensed (7) in 13 games last season — and now he’s back with the Bolts.
Jefferson has been a key part of the Chargers’ defense under former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter in the 2025 season, his best year since 2018.
The safety played in 13 games for LA, starting 8, while logging 4 interceptions, 7 pass deflections and 57 tackles.
The Chargers’ social media team hinted at Jefferson’s return to the organization by posting a video of the defender smiling and winking at the camera. With Schultz dropping the news, the safety will play his third season with the Bolts.
Alongside the 4 INTs and the 7 PBUs, Tony Jefferson has recorded 84 tackles with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Jefferson, who is usually active on social media, has not posted anything about his return to the organization yet.
What Tony Jefferson Brings to the Chargers
GettyLos Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson.
Tony Jefferson is 34 years old and has proven that he can keep up with the young guns in the league. His interceptions stand out, but his other stats tell a whole different story.
“While he took some time to get back to his normal self, Jefferson has been a steady and important piece on defense in recent years,” Chargers editorial director Eric Smith wrote. “According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed a passer rating of 36.7 in 2025, which ranked third among all safeties. Jefferson also didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage.”
Jefferson had positive grades from PFF in almost all major statistics. The publication career gave the safety a 71.9 run defense grade (22nd out of 98 qualifying safeties), a 75.4 coverage grade (15th out of 98), with Jefferson logging a 70.3 overall grade (26th out of 98).
The hard-hitting safety, who received fines in the 2025 season, will return for his 12th season in the league — Jefferson would be in his 14th, but was out recovering from an injury in one season and retired for a season a few of years ago.
Tony Jefferson Drops Message on New DC
GettyLA Chargers
Despite hitting free agency, Tony Jefferson appeared to have some desire to return to his former team.
When the Los Angeles Chargers hired Chris O’Leary to replace Jesse Minter as defensive coordinator, Jefferson had support for the new defensive playcaller on social media.
A player doesn’t drop support for a hiring if he doesn’t expect to be back, or at least be in conversations to return to the team. It would make more sense if he were to sign with a team first, but the safety likely had his eyes on returning to the City of Angels.
Now with Tony Jefferson returning for another year, the fan and locker room favorite is lined up to have another good year in the latter half of his career.
Chargers Retain Veteran Safety on One-Year Deal