The Chargers brought back Denzel Perryman after a solid season, but questions remain about his age, durability and consistency. Was bringing the veteran linebacker back the right move, or could it create more concerns for the defense moving forward?
The Los Angeles Chargers made a familiar move this week by bringing back veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman on a one-year deal. The signing continues a long relationship between Perryman and the franchise that originally drafted him in the second round in 2015.
For a team looking to remain competitive while still reshaping parts of its roster, the decision to re-sign Perryman raises a fair question: was this the right move?
On the surface, the signing makes sense. Perryman still brings value to the Chargers’ defense, particularly as a physical presence in the middle of the field. Even in limited action last season, he showed he can still produce when he’s on the field. In 2025, he finished with 47 tackles and four tackles for loss despite playing in just 10 games.
When Perryman is healthy, he remains one of the more instinctive run defenders on the roster. His downhill style and ability to diagnose plays quickly have always been strengths. For a Chargers defense that has occasionally struggled against the run in recent years, keeping a proven run-stopper around is not a bad idea.
However, the concerns surrounding Perryman are hard to ignore.
The most obvious issue is age. Perryman is now 33 years old and entering his 12th NFL season. Linebackers who rely heavily on physicality often begin to decline at this stage of their careers. While Perryman has remained productive, there is always the risk that the drop-off could come quickly.
Availability has also been a recurring problem throughout Perryman’s career. Injuries have prevented him from completing a full season multiple times, and last year was no exception. He appeared in just 10 games, continuing a pattern that has followed him for years.
In addition to injuries, discipline and tackling consistency have occasionally been issues. Perryman was suspended for two games late last season after a hit that drew league discipline. Those kinds of situations can hurt a defense, especially when depth at the position is already being tested.
There is also the question of what this move means for the Chargers’ younger linebackers. The team has been trying to develop younger talent at the position, and bringing Perryman back could potentially limit opportunities for those players to take the next step.
That said, the structure of the deal matters. Because it’s only a one-year contract, the Chargers aren’t making a long-term commitment. Instead, they’re bringing back a veteran who understands the system, knows the organization and can provide leadership in the locker room.
Sometimes teams need stability just as much as they need youth. Perryman provides that stability.
Ultimately, this move feels like a low-risk, short-term solution rather than a long-term answer. If Perryman stays healthy and continues to contribute as a rotational linebacker and run defender, the signing will look like a smart depth move. But if injuries continue to limit his availability, the Chargers may once again find themselves searching for help at linebacker.
For now, the reunion makes sense. But it also highlights something bigger: the Chargers still need to find their long-term answer in the middle of their defense.