Elijah Molden came to Los Angeles as a bit of an afterthought-a last-minute trade acquisition before the season even started. Now, just a few months later, he’s become one of the most important pieces of the Chargers’ defense and earned a contract to prove it.
The Chargers have officially signed Molden to a three-year, $18.75 million deal with $13.5 million guaranteed, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It’s a major investment in a player who not only solidified LA’s secondary but played a crucial role in reshaping how the team deployed its defensive stars.
Molden arrived from Tennessee for what seemed like a bargain-just a seventh-round pick in the 2026 draft. But by the time the season wrapped, he was second among Chargers defensive backs in tackles (72) and tied for the team lead in interceptions (3). His ability to step into a deep safety role allowed Derwin James Jr. to shift closer to the line of scrimmage, sparking an All-Pro resurgence for James after an inconsistent 2023 season.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t hold back in praising Molden’s impact. “Give a hat off to [general manager] Joe Hortiz and [assistant general manager] Chad Alexander, the whole pro personnel department for finding Elijah for us,”Harbaugh said. “He’s come in and been such a great addition.”
Battle-tested and built for more: Molden’s next challenge
The one downside? Molden’s season ended two weeks early. A fibula fracture in Week 17 against the Patriots cut his campaign short, and that wasn’t even the worst of it-he had been playing through a torn meniscus since Week 15. But in true football fashion, Molden didn’t let that slow him down. At his end-of-season press conference, he reassured everyone he wouldn’t need surgery for the fracture and would be ready for offseason workouts.
It’s not surprising to see Molden thrive in the NFL-football runs in his blood. His father, Alex Molden, was a first-round pick in 1996 and played eight seasons in the league. Elijah has carved out his own identity, first at Washington and now in the pros, proving he’s more than just a name.
Now, with a new contract in hand, Molden isn’t just a solid depth piece-he’s a foundational player for a Chargers defense that led the league in points allowed per game. Keeping him was a priority, and now LA’s secondary remains one of the most versatile in the league.
Molden’s next challenge? Getting healthy and picking up right where he left off. And if his 2024 season was any indication, the Chargers’ defense will be just fine with him on the field.
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