Tough Loss: The Los Angeles Chargers Sign Da’Shawn Hand to a One-Year Deal Worth up to $3.35 Million

The Los Angeles Chargers have made a noteworthy move in bolstering their defensive line by signing defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand to a one-year contract worth up to $3.35 million. This news was first reported by NFL insider Mike Garafolo, and it’s a deal that has implications for both Hand’s future and the Chargers’ defensive outlook in the upcoming season.

In a year that has seen significant changes across the NFL, this signing represents an attempt by the Chargers to strengthen their defensive front and build upon their efforts to remain competitive in the tough AFC West. The Chargers’ defense has been a point of emphasis for improvement, and this acquisition signals that the front office is serious about addressing some of the holes on their roster.

The Need for a Defensive Line Upgrade

The Los Angeles Chargers have long struggled with maintaining consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. While the team has boasted a strong secondary with stars like Derwin James and JC Jackson, the defensive line has often been a weak point. In a division where high-powered offenses reign, including Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, the need for a more formidable pass rush has been ever-present.

In the 2024 season, the Chargers finished with 36 sacks, which was ranked 19th in the league. Although they had some moments of brilliance, the inability to consistently disrupt the quarterback became evident as the season progressed. Hand’s signing could help alleviate some of these issues, as he provides the kind of depth and potential upside that the Chargers need in their front seven.

Da’Shawn Hand: A Look at His Career

Da’Shawn Hand, a 26-year-old defensive tackle, has been a bit of a mixed bag in his NFL career thus far. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Hand was a standout during his college career, where he played a significant role in the Crimson Tide’s championship runs. His size, athleticism, and ability to disrupt both the run and pass made him an intriguing prospect coming out of college.

However, since entering the NFL, Hand’s career has been plagued by injuries. After a solid rookie season where he started 12 games and registered 3.5 sacks, he was unable to replicate that success in subsequent seasons. Injuries limited his playing time, and by 2020, Hand had been relegated to a backup role. In total, Hand has played in just 27 games over his first four years in the NFL, with only 13 starts to his name.

Despite the injury setbacks, Hand has still shown flashes of potential. He has proven to be a capable interior rusher, capable of collapsing the pocket on occasion. His 6’4″, 297-pound frame gives him the ability to both defend the run and generate pressure on the quarterback, making him a versatile option for defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.

Hand’s signing with the Chargers provides a fresh opportunity to revitalize his career. For the Chargers, Hand offers a low-risk, high-reward option at a position of need. With the right coaching and a full, healthy season, Hand could emerge as a key contributor to a defensive line that needs all the help it can get.

What Da’Shawn Hand Brings to the Table

At his best, Hand is an agile defensive tackle who can create disruption at the line of scrimmage. His ability to rush the passer from the interior has been an asset when he’s been healthy. He has the quickness and burst to collapse the pocket from the inside, something that the Chargers have been missing on their defensive line.

Hand’s skill set makes him an intriguing addition to the Chargers’ defensive scheme. Under Brandon Staley, the Chargers have favored a defensive system that emphasizes versatility and pressure, with a focus on stifling both the run and the pass. Hand’s experience in both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes gives him a leg up in adapting to whatever role the Chargers envision for him. Whether he’s lining up as a traditional defensive tackle or moving around the defensive line in various sub-packages, Hand can add flexibility to the Chargers’ defense.

Additionally, Hand’s ability to play multiple positions on the defensive line should allow Staley to rotate him in and out of the lineup, keeping him fresh throughout the season. This rotational role could allow Hand to focus on specific areas where he excels, particularly against guards and centers who struggle with his speed and quickness.

Furthermore, Hand brings an element of leadership to the table, particularly with the Chargers’ younger defensive players. As someone with experience in big games during his time at Alabama and with the Lions, Hand could serve as a mentor to younger players like Sebastian Joseph-Day and Jerry Tillery, helping them grow and develop their skills on the field.

What Does This Mean for the Chargers’ Defensive Line Depth?

The addition of Da’Shawn Hand will help address some of the depth concerns on the Chargers’ defensive line. The Chargers already have a solid group of starters, including players like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack at the edge, but their interior defensive line has been a bit of a question mark. Players like Austin Johnson and Sebastian Joseph-Day have been solid contributors, but they haven’t been able to generate consistent pressure from the interior.

Hand’s ability to provide interior pass rush, as well as defend the run, gives the Chargers more options in their defensive front. With Bosa and Mack drawing attention on the edges, Hand could find himself in favorable one-on-one situations where he can take advantage of slower, less athletic offensive linemen. If Hand can stay healthy and live up to his potential, he could help take the pressure off the outside rushers and provide a more complete defensive front.

Depth is always crucial in the NFL, especially on the defensive line, where injuries are common and rotations are frequent. Hand’s signing gives the Chargers more flexibility in how they structure their defensive packages. Additionally, his presence could help reduce the overall wear and tear on key players, keeping them fresh for the later parts of the season.

The Financials: A One-Year Deal Worth Up to $3.35 Million

From a financial perspective, the Chargers’ decision to sign Hand to a one-year deal worth up to $3.35 million is a relatively low-risk move. The deal is structured in a way that gives Hand the opportunity to earn more through performance-based incentives, which could push the value of the contract higher. This structure aligns well with the Chargers’ salary cap situation, as they are able to add a potentially impactful player without making a long-term financial commitment.

For Hand, this contract represents an important opportunity to prove himself on a one-year deal. If he performs well and stays healthy, he could earn a more lucrative long-term contract, either with the Chargers or another team. In the highly competitive NFL market, a successful season could lead to a much bigger payday, either as a starting defensive tackle or as a key rotational player for another team.

This contract also gives Hand a chance to reset his career after dealing with injury setbacks. If he can stay on the field and perform at a high level, he may not only secure more money in the future but also prove to teams around the league that he can be counted on as a dependable contributor.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for the Chargers’ Super Bowl Contention

The signing of Da’Shawn Hand may not make the Chargers an immediate Super Bowl contender, but it does represent a step in the right direction. The team has made a concerted effort to improve its defense in recent seasons, and the addition of a player like Hand could make a significant impact in their quest for a championship.

With key players like Justin Herbert and the aforementioned stars on defense, the Chargers are in a position to compete in one of the most difficult divisions in football. The AFC West is home to some of the league’s best quarterbacks, including Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and now Jimmy Garoppolo, and the Chargers’ defense needs to be at its best to have a shot at competing with these teams week in and week out.

A stronger defensive line would also complement the high-powered offense the Chargers have built around Herbert. Having a defense that can get off the field and create turnovers could provide the offense with more opportunities to score and keep opposing teams at bay. As the Chargers continue to build their roster and compete in the ultra-competitive AFC, Hand’s addition could help them make that final push toward playoff contention and, eventually, the Super Bowl.

 A Low-Risk, High-Reward Addition

In conclusion, the signing of Da’Shawn Hand to a one-year deal worth up to $3.35 million is a move that makes sense for the Los Angeles Chargers. With Hand’s potential to contribute as both a run defender and a pass rusher, he could be a valuable addition to their defensive line, particularly if he can stay healthy and regain some of the form he showed early in his career. The contract structure also makes it a low-risk move for the Chargers, as they are only financially committed to Hand for one season, giving them the flexibility to move on if things don’t work out.

For Hand, this is an important opportunity to re-establish himself in the NFL and prove that he can be a consistent contributor at the highest level. If he performs well, both the Chargers and Hand could stand to benefit in a big way, and the move could help the Chargers take another step toward contention in the AFC West.