The Los Angeles Chargers will need to figure out a way to supplement their pass rush after placing outside linebacker Khalil Mack on injured reserve. Luckily, the news isn't all bad, as Mack is expected back this season.
The Chargers needed to add more depth to the pass-rush department to aid Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree and Caleb Murphy. The team does have fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard waiting in the wings, but likely felt more of a veteran presence was needed. We recently discussed some options for the team to consider, but general manager Joe Hortiz went in a different direction. On Thursday, the team agreed to a deal with former first-round pick Clelin Ferrell.
Ferrell, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 draft, was most recently with the Washington Commanders.
Ferrell was originally drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders back when Mike Mayock was the general manager. The pick raised eyebrows as he did have a first-round grade on him from most analysts but no one predicted he would go in the top five. He never lived up to that status in Vegas and had just 10 sacks in four seasons there.
After spending one season with the San Francisco 49ers, Ferrell was in Washington last season, where he collected 3.5 sacks while starting in 10 games for the team.
It's interesting to note that Ferrell was drafted as high as he was because the Raiders were looking to find a solution after trading Mack. He now comes to L.A. to join Mack on the Chargers after Mack got hurt against, of all teams, the Raiders.
A full-circle twist: Clelin Ferrell was drafted No. 4 overall by the #Raiders in part because they traded Khalil Mack… and now he joins the #Chargers because Khalil Mack just went on IR — with the injury happening against … the Raiders. https://t.co/TdQRklrYy8 pic.twitter.com/a7VqTLPkoz
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 18, 2025
Ferrell will likely be an emergency option for the team, at least to begin with, and will probably be one of the gameday inactives this Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
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