The Los Angeles Chargers went under the radar during the offseason when they signed former Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar.
ESPN insider Mike Clay believes Kolar could have a big impact on the Chargers’ offense for the upcoming season.
“Kolar had only 10 catches for 142 receiving yards and two touchdowns in Baltimore last season, but the Chargers didn’t bring him in to be a receiver. Los Angeles handed him a three-year, $24.3 million contract to block, part of the leaguewide rise in the value
of blocking tight ends. You’ll see a lot of Kolar in 12 and 13 personnel, as the Ravens averaged 5.7 yards per carry with Kolar on the field last season and 4.7 yards per carry without him,“ Clay wrote.
Kolar, 27, grew during every season he was with the Ravens from 2022-25. While his numbers didn’t often show up in the stat sheet, he was doing the dirty work to help other players pad their stats, especially in the running back room.
In 2025, the Ravens were the second-best rushing offense in the NFL behind the Buffalo Bills. In 2024, they ranked number one, as one of two teams to record over 3,000 yards. The same could be said in 2023, and in 2022 they also finished second.
While Lamar Jackson is a big reason behind those numbers, he wouldn’t have enjoyed that kind of success without Kolar, who will now be blocking for second-year pro Omarion Hampton, who could have a breakout year if the newest Chargers tight end plays like he did in Baltimore.
