The Los Angeles Chargers made a puzzling decision this offseason by letting standout defensive tackle Poona Ford sign with the cross-town rival Rams on a team-friendly deal. Despite having sufficient cap space to retain him, the Chargers seem confident that they can make up for his loss through depth and rotation.
Whether that strategy will prove successful is still uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the Rams’ already formidable defensive line is poised to be even more dominant in 2025 with Ford anchoring the interior at nose tackle.
The Chargers won’t have to wait long to see Poona Ford back on familiar turf. It was officially announced on Wednesday that the Chargers will host the Rams for a joint practice beginning August 13, giving Ford an early return to the Chargers’ facility—much sooner than originally anticipated. This setup offers one of the first live looks at how dominant the Rams’ revamped defensive line, now featuring Ford, might be.
Poona Ford will see the Chargers during training camp as part of joint practice with Rams
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72481387/usa_today_19136582.0.jpg)
The Chargers will hold only one joint practice this offseason, due to their participation in the Hall of Fame Game giving them an extra preseason matchup. While they’ve often shared joint practices with the Saints—who will again be in Southern California for over a week—no such sessions are scheduled this time around.
That means the Chargers won’t get a close-up look at familiar faces like Brandon Staley and Kellen Moore in a controlled setting. They will, however, come face-to-face with Poona Ford just months after allowing him to sign with the Rams.
Fortunately for the Chargers, they won’t have to battle the Rams’ ferocious defensive front at full game speed. That group, with Ford now in the mix, could pose major problems—especially for a Chargers interior offensive line still surrounded by uncertainty.
Still, seeing Ford in joint practices may serve as a reality check. His presence could reinforce the idea that he never should’ve been let go—and expose a potential vulnerability in the Chargers’ offensive front.
It’ll be intriguing to watch how Poona Ford approaches facing his former team in joint practice. While he likely holds some gratitude toward the Chargers for helping boost his career, there’s a good chance he’ll also be motivated to prove a point. That extra edge—fueled by being let go—could show up in his intensity and effort on the field.
