Isaac Rochell is hanging up his cleats as a member of the Bolts.
The team shared the news Saturday that Rochell, a defensive end who appeared in 51 games from 2017-20, is retiring as a Charger.
Rochell, now 30 years old, recently chatted with Chargers.com about his decision.
"This organization absolutely changed my life," Rochell said. "Obviously, I'm retired and I'm not playing anymore, but when I look back at my career and I look back at the good years and the bad years, the good years were here.
"They were also the team that gave me a chance," Rochell continued. "I was a seventh-round draft pick so it's not like people were knocking at the door left and right.
"When [former Chargers General Manager] Tom Telesco called me, that was a life changing moment for me and for my family," Rochell added. "So, it's like, 'Why not? Why not the Chargers?' It's such a no brainer for me."
Rochell was a 2017 seventh-round pick out of Notre Dame who compiled all of his 9.5 career sacks with the Bolts.
His best season came in 2018 when he tallied a career-best 5.0 sacks, including a half-sack in a thrilling 29-28 comeback road win over the Chiefs in Week 15.
The Chargers trailed by two touchdowns with under four minutes left before they cut it to a seven-point deficit.
The Bolts defense then forced a three-and-out, with Rochell and Melvin Ingram teaming up to sack Patrick Mahomes on third down.
That led to Philip Rivers hitting Mike Williams for a touchdown and game-winning, 2-point conversion with just four seconds left.
"We were down by 14 points with a few minutes left," Rochell said. "Philip Rivers took over and did his thing, and defensively we played really well there at the end.
"Melvin Ingram and I had a [drive]-sealing sack and it was the last time that their offense was on the field," Rochell said. "Then we came back and had a Christmas party because we had the full weekend off. That four-day window of preparing for the game, playing the game, and then coming back and celebrating is for sure a top memory."
Rochell told Chargers.com he can still recall the feeling in the defensive huddle before the third-down sack.
"I remember us huddling out before the play and [just thinking], 'Everybody just push the pocket. Don't let Mahomes out of the pocket,'" Rochell said.
"It was like a true like team rush where the whole D-line is rushing together," Rochell added. "When you do that, that's why two guys end up on the quarterback. It was perfect and just a really special moment."
Rochell played for three teams over the next four years, with the 2022 season being his final one.
All in all, Rochell played in 78 career games with 11 starts. He tallied 113 total tackles, 17 quarterback hits, an interception and also recorded a safety.
"I look back at it now and I'm like, 'I did it.' I mean, seventh rounders don't usually make it super far," Rochell said. "I was just in it and grinding but it feels good to look back and be like, 'Dang, that just happened.' It's a true definition of head down grinding and making something happen.
"As a seventh rounder to play seven years, I had a chip on my shoulder because of that and I'm proud of it," Rochell added.
Rochell has made a seamless transition to retired life as he works for SiriusXM radio and is looking to further his media career.
"Doing radio and I'll start here pretty soon doing some TV stuff. Retirement is great," Rochell said. "I will say there's nothing that can scratch the itch of playing, so I absolutely miss playing … but in this phase of life it's nice to have a little bit more [down time]."
As Rochell recently reflected on his retirement and time with the Bolts, he made sure to point out that he considers this a family celebration with his wife, Allie, and their 20-month-old daughter, Scottie Bee.
"She didn't ever get to come to any of my games because we had her after I was done," Rochell said of Scottie Bee. "So this is just a cool moment for me to be able to capture a second with my daughter."
He added about Allie: "She was obviously a huge part of this. For her, this is really cool. She obviously was in every city that I played in and was a trooper, and I think like this is a true moment where it feels like we're retiring together here."
