Safety Tony Jefferson makes NFL comeback, signing with LA Chargers

After spending a year off the field, former Baltimore Ravens safety Tony Jefferson is making a comeback. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Jefferson is signing a contract with the LA Chargers.

The NFL vet announced his retirement last May, but is now preparing to suit up for a 10th season after spending 2023 as a scouting intern for Baltimore. Jefferson is joining a slew of former Ravens in Los Angeles, including general manager Joe Hortiz, coordinator Greg Roman, Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Hayden Hurst, Bradley Bozeman and Ben Mason.

During the first run of his NFL career, which spanned 10 years and nine seasons, Jefferson played in 99 games. He recorded 448 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, four interceptions and eight forced fumbles. He accumulated the stats with five different teams.

Jefferson entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals after a career with the Oklahoma Sooners. He built himself into a formidable asset, spending 2013 through 2016 with the Cardinals before taking his talents to Baltimore.

From 2016-19, Jefferson was one of the essential pieces for the Ravens on the defensive side of the football. He was imperative to their success and quickly became one of the favorites of defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.

After deciding to spend 2020 away from the NFL, Jefferson returned to the game in 2021. He played for both the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, but it never materialized into the type of season he hoped to have. However, the New York Giants reunited him with Martindale in The Big Apple for the 2022 season, and Jefferson helped the defensive coordinator install his defense at a new stop.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year began at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially ran out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams had a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams could enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marked the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marked the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offer sheets hit.