2024 NFL free agency: LB Denzel Perryman signs with Chargers

In every offseason, there are inevitable departures.

The Houston Texans have their starting linebackers in Christian Harris and free-agent signing Azeez Al-Shaair but lost some depth when Denzel Perryman signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The veteran linebacker signed a one-year deal with the Chargers, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Reunion: The #Chargers are expected to sign their former 2nd round pick and veteran LB Denzel Perryman to a 1-year deal, source said. Was in San Diego and LA from 2015-2020, now is back.

Quick photoshop pic.twitter.com/hXMWIv4nlN

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2024

Perryman, 31, began his NFL career with the Chargers in San Diego and stayed on the team when they moved to Los Angeles. He played six seasons for the Chargers as the primary starter but dealt with a rash of injuries.

Perryman stayed in the AFC West after his six seasons in LA to join the Las Vegas Raiders. His first year in Vegas was the best of his career, as he posted 154 combined tackles. In 2021, Perryman earned Pro Bowl honors. 

Perryman joined the Texans after two seasons in Las Vegas. He started 13 games, including the two postseason contests. Perryman recorded 76 tackles, six tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and three passes defensed.

Injuries kept Perryman out in Weeks 3, 4 and 6. The NFL suspended Perryman for three games without pay for repeated player safety rules violations as well. A head-to-head hit in Week 2 earned Perryman a fine. Perryman successfully appealed the three-game suspension, reducing it to two games.

In Perryman’s absence, Harris and former Texans linebacker Blake Cashman emerged as quality starting options. Perryman embraced a mentor role and helped the two young backers produce career-best seasons. 

Perryman returns to Los Angeles under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. Like Houston a season ago, the Chargers need Perryman’s veteran presence to stabilize the franchise.