Why Alohi Gilman's Return is Big for the Bolts Defense

Mar 13, 2024 at 02:31 PM

Eric Smith

Editorial Director

Alohi Gilman has quietly worked himself into one of the league's best success stories in recent years.

A 2020 sixth-round pick, Gilman has evolved from a key special teams player to a bonafide starter at safety.

He'll now continue his career with the Bolts as the team announced Wednesday that they have signed the 26-year old to a contract extension.

"It hasn't really hit me fully," Gilman told Chargers.com on Wednesday. "I've just been reflecting a lot on the last four years to get to this point.

"I'm excited for the future but this is just the beginning and the best is yet again," Gilman added.

Gilman will now team up again alongside Derwin James, Jr. as the Chargers starting safety tandem.

The two are a bit opposite in how they play as James is more of a versatile wrecking ball while Gilman is a steady presence on the back end.

James commented on his relationship with Gilman ahead of the 2023 season.

"It's been amazing. He's been that extra communicator, quarterback that I need, being opposite safeties," James said. "Our relationship is very important out there because we're the communicators on defense. I feel like that's even grown. He's getting better, too."

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 28 - MIN 24]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. [FINAL SCORE: TEN 27 - LAC 24]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 30 - CHI 13]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the New York Jets on Monday, November 6, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 27 - NYJ 6]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the New York Jets on Monday, November 6, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 27 - NYJ 6]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the New York Jets on Monday, November 6, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 27 - NYJ 6]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the New York Jets on Monday, November 6, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 27 - NYJ 6]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. [FINAL SCORE: GB 23 - LAC 20]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. [FINAL SCORE: GB 23 - LAC 20]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: BAL 20 - LAC 10]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the New England Patriots on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 6 - NE 0]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the New England Patriots on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 6 - NE 0]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Denver Broncos on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: DEN 24 - LAC 7]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. [FINAL SCORE: LV 63 - LAC 21]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Denver Broncos on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. [FINAL SCORE: DEN 16 - LAC 9]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Denver Broncos on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. [FINAL SCORE: DEN 16 - LAC 9]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: KC 13 - LAC 12]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: KC 13 - LAC 12]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: KC 13 - LAC 12]

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The Los Angeles Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: KC 13 - LAC 12]

Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers

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And while Gilman did miss three games with a nagging heel injury, he did start 14 contests and posted the highest Pro Football Focus grade of his career at 86.1.

He also displayed a nose for the ball with three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries to go along with two interceptions and 10 passes defensed.

Gilman will likely never be the flashiest player on the Bolts defense. And he's one of the more introverted players in the locker room, too, which is a product of his proud Hawaiian upbringing.

But when the lights come on, it's usually Gilman who sets the tone early with his play.

Put another way, he's going to fit in great for what Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter want to do on that side of the ball.

"I've been a part of this program for four years and seen the ups and been a part of the downs," Gilman said. "I feel like I've been invested into it and I want to be a part of something on the way up.

"I'm an underdog story and you can say we've been underdogs for awhile and I want to change that," Gilman added. "I think I'm a good piece to add to that. Coach Harbaugh is all on board with that, his energy is contagious. I'm just super blessed."

Chargers fans should be fired up that No. 32 is back with the Bolts.