Elijah Molden will be back in 2025 at a much higher salary number.
Molden signed a 3-year, $18.75 million contract extension on Thursday evening that cements him as part of the Chargers’ future plans in the secondary. The new deal gives him a higher average per year salary than fellow starter Alohi Gilman, who is due to be a free agent after the 2025 season.
The contract also keeps Molden, Gilman, and All-Pro Derwin James in the fold going forward. While that’s a large investment in the safety room, it allows defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to continue to deploy James as primarily a slot defender. James was at his best in that role in 2024 and was named a second team All-Pro at slot cornerback as a result.
With Tony Jefferson expected to return for another season after coming out of retirement to play for the Chargers last year, Los Angeles may very well run the same safety room back from 2024. That unit was marred by injury, including IR stints for Gilman, Molden, and midseason signee Marcus Maye.
Molden was one of LA’s best defenders before breaking his fibula in Week 17, finishing second on the team in interceptions (3) behind rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still. His 75 total tackles were also third on the team. With no reported ligament damage due to his injury, the Chargers are likely expecting to have Molden back on the field when training camp opens this summer.
His presence not only gives Los Angeles a fearsome safety tandem, but allows the Chargers to utilize arguably their best defensive player in his most effective role. Combine that with a salary cap that came in well over projections, as announced by the league on Wednesday, and the roughly $6 million per year price tag for Molden seems like a massive steal for Los Angeles.
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