There was a clear message for what the Chargers wanted to do in Year 2 of free agency under Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh — add size up front on both sides of the ball.
Enter Da’Shawn Hand, listed at 6-foot-3 and 302 pounds, and Naquan Jones (6-3, 313) to occupy the interior of the Bolts defensive line.
"It's exciting with the pieces that Joe and Coach Harbaugh have put in that D-Line room," Chargers defensive line coach Mike Elston said last week. "We're bigger, [and] I think we're more skilled athletically."
The two veteran defensive linemen have been off and running in their first offseason as Chargers with their eyes on making a mark for a defense that was one of the league's best just a season ago.
Hand is coming off arguably his best season as a pro, notching a career high in tackles (31) and tackles for loss (five) in addition to his prowess as a run defender.
Now in Los Angeles, the veteran said last week that conversations with members on staff and a right fit in mentality is what attracted him to the team.
"Talking to the coaches, they just presented that I'm going to have a great opportunity to do something great and add value to the program," said Hand.
He later added: "Everybody is like-minded and everybody likes to work, so it's easy to get along with people who are like-minded."
Jones, meanwhile, set a career-best 3.0 sacks in 12 games last season in Arizona as well as tied his career-high with four tackles for loss to go along with 27 tackles and two passes defensed.
His talks with the coaching staff was something Jones valued highly, as he jumped at the idea of joining the team he deemed a great opportunity.
"There's nothing more you can really ask for, coaches that really want you a part of their organization, coaches that really want you here," Jones said. "Making that decision was pretty easy.
"I knew coming here that I was going to be treated that way, as a piece of not just being a guy that was going to be able to fit a role, but a guy that's going to contribute, make strides and be a piece of this organization winning," Jones added.
It also helped both to have a number of connections within the locker room.
Hand and Jones both spent time with the Titans along with a number of current Chargers, as well as played and built connections with others throughout their collegiate career.
And during the free agency process Hand said he spoke to a couple of those players, who all echoed a similar tone.
"Everybody here just said the same thing, 'You're going to love it here. You have to come to work, but it's a great atmosphere and they treat you like a grown man,'" Hand said. "I like that."
The biggest connection within the team for Jones? Fellow defensive lineman Teair Tart, who played with and was close to both new defensive linemen.
Jones said that Tart recruited him and would frequently talk to him about what it was like to be a Charger during the process.
What ultimately convinced Jones to join the Bolts was similar to Hand, as he believed the opportunity and team culture was exactly what he was looking for.
"[Tart was] letting me know that I was going to have an opportunity here," Jones said. "I feel like our careers have gone in a similar type of way. We kind of jumped around a little bit and obviously he loves it here. He got an opportunity to really show himself and show what type of player he is.
"That's kind of what he told me," Jones added. "Basically like, 'We know you can play, we know the way you can play, your style of play is wanted here. Just come in here, do your thing and you'll have an opportunity.'"
The preexisting connection is something they believe will translate onto the field.
"It'll be fun this year because I played with Da'Shawn Hand, I played with Tart," Jones said. "Us being back together, it's going to be so much chemistry because we've all played with each other at different points in our career. It's going to be a fun group to watch."
Both new additions are well aware of the success from the defensive line a season — and are fired up with what they've seen on tape so far.
Take a look back at the third week of the Chargers 2025 off-season program in monochrome.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 12, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Jones went into detail about what makes the group so appealing, adding his excitement for what he can add with his skillset within the system.
"I watched all the guys on the defensive line to see what they're able to do, see how they play so freely and be able to put the technique that Coach Elston is putting in, but also put their swag in it and make plays and they made some great plays," Jones said. "We watch film on them every day, so seeing that they're able to implement their style of play into what we're being taught here and are able to make plays is great. It's fun to see that.
"Nobody is really robotic," Jones added. "You're playing within the lines of the fundamentals and technique, but you're also able to put your spin on it to do what you need to do to make a play."
Same goes for Hand, who is ready to contribute in whatever way he can.
"I'm excited because No. 1, I'm a competitor," Hand said. "I'm brought in for a reason and for myself as a competitor and as an athlete, I think I add value to wherever I'm going.
"I just want to add value and just make any area they were struggling in, make it better if I can," Hand added.
The defensive line was one that turned many heads last season with their stellar play and a catalyst for the Chargers success in 2024.
Now, the new-look group with Hand and Jones want to take it a step further with a unit they believe has the potential to do just that.
"The excitement is very high," Elston said. "Love the group, we've added some great pieces… it's a very strong group, a hard-working group. Very, very excited about the group."
Elston later added: "I feel like this group has an even tighter knit of brotherhood, which is exciting. This to me a much more skilled group, so it's going to hopefully going to be better than last year."
