NFL News: Elijah Molden, Chargers Reportedly Agree to New 3-Year, $18.8M Contract

After trading for Elijah Molden ahead of the 2024 season, the Los Angeles Chargers have now committed to the cornerback for the long term.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Chargers and Molden agreed to a new three-year contract on Thursday. The contract is worth $18.75 million with $13.5 million guaranteed, Rapoport added.

Molden, a third-round pick out of Washington in 2021, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. He had a strong start in Tennessee, recording 62 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pick-six in his rookie year, but he faced a setback in 2022 when he played just two games because of various injuries.

In 2023, Molden bounced back to record 73 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception, but the big year wasn't enough for the Titans to keep him on the roster. Tennessee dealt him to Los Angeles in August in return for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

After the trade, Molden proceeded to have a career year with the Chargers. He recorded 75 tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defended, all of which marked career highs.

With the help of Molden, who started 12 games this season, the Chargers put together one of the best defenses in the league. They allowed just 324.4 yards per game and allowed the fewest points per game in the NFL at 17.7.

The stout defense helped lead the Bolts to the playoffs after going 5-12 in 2023.

Molden was set to hit free agency for the first time in his career with his rookie contract expiring, but he'll instead run it back with the Chargers.