Joey Bosa. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Chargers set to end a significant era of team history

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Mar 8, 2025 6:14 PM ET

The new NFL year begins on March 12, the same day free agency opens.

For one team in particular, the new league year will close the book on a major chapter in franchise history.

The Los Angeles Chargers released star pass-rusher Joey Bosa on Wednesday and linebacker Denzel Perryman is set to hit free agency. Upon their departures, the team will have no players from the San Diego era.

The Chargers relocated to Los Angeles in 2017 after spending 56 seasons in San Diego. The team was actually founded in 1959 as the Los Angeles Chargers before moving after the 1960 season due to competition with the Rams.

The 2025 season will mark the first time since 1961 that no players who previously played in San Diego will be on the team's roster.

Perryman was drafted in 2015 before departing in 2021, returning to his original team (this time in Los Angeles) for the 2024 season.

Bosa was drafted in 2016 at No. 3 overall and quickly became the Chargers' star player on defense.

Joey Bosa is solidifying his place as one of the best in Chargers history. #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/a9kiVSAB1d
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 17, 2024

The Chargers' move from their longtime home near the Southern U.S. border caused part of their once-loyal fan base to revolt.

In their first season in Los Angeles, attendance was so poor at the new SoFi Stadium that the NFL considered potentially moving the team back to San Diego, but that idea was quickly scrapped.

It's been 31 seasons since the Chargers last appeared in a Super Bowl (1994-95), but fans will be hoping turning over a new page will kickstart a new winning era for the franchise — despite it being in Los Angeles.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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