Ranking Chargers' top 5 free agents by importance

As the Chargers look to make a deeper run in the third year of the Jim Harbaugh era, they will need to enhance their roster over the next few months, which starts with free agency.

General manager Joe Hortiz said that before any external signings, they will decide on which of their own players will be retained.

That said, here's our breakdown of the most important pending free agents who could depart the Bolts this offseason:

5. WR Keenan Allen

Allen proved he can still produce at a high level with 81 catches for 777 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, setting the all-time franchise receptions record, passing Hall of Famer Antonio Gates. Allen, who will be 34 next season, has a strong desire to finish his career in Los Angeles. What remains to be seen is whether the coaching staff believes he is a fit in Mike McDaniel's offense and whether it's worth putting him on the field alongside Ladd McConkey again. When the two were on the field together, McConkey saw a drop-off in production compared to his rookie season because Allen cut into his route tree.

4. Da'Shawn Hand

After signing a one-year, $2.35 million deal with the Chargers last offseason, Hand delivered as a reliable interior presence, particularly against the run. Despite missing time due to a groin injury and playing 13 games, he recorded 29 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 17 pressures, and his first career interception. If Hand leaves to sign with another team, Los Angeles will need to further address the defensive line in free agency or the draft, with the positional room consisting only of Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, and Justin Eboigbe.

3. OL Zion Johnson

After the Chargers declined his fifth-year option, Johnson came on strong in 2025, especially towards the back end of the season. He logged over 1,000 snaps with career-best marks in pressures allowed (26) and sacks allowed (3). Johnson ranked second among interior offensive linemen in ESPN's run-block win rate. Johnson will be one of the better free-agent guards available, and he will command a pretty penny, with a projected contract of $16 to $20 million annually.

2. EDGE Khalil Mack

After mulling retirement, Mack made it clear that he plans to play this upcoming season. Will that be with the Chargers or with another team, like the Jesse Minter-led Ravens? That remains to be seen. Even at 34, the veteran has proven to still be effective. In 2025, Mack played 12 games, posting 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 39 quarterback pressures. He also graded highly against the run with a Pro Football Focus run defense mark of 80.6 (8th among edge rushers).

1. EDGE Odafe Oweh

Acquired in a mid-season trade from the Ravens, Oweh arrived in Los Angeles as a former first-round pick struggling to find his footing. What followed was a career resurgence under former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. In 12 regular-season games, Oweh racked up 7.5 sacks and 39 pressures. In the playoff game against the Patriots, Oweh set a Chargers franchise playoff record with 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in a single game. He won't be cheap, projected to earn a four-year contract worth up to $88 million. But he is still only 27, and his best football is still ahead of him. Keeping him would ensure that defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary has a solid core at the edge rusher position.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Which Chargers free agents should take priority in re-signing?