Los Angeles Chargers Safety Elijah Molden had a hot 2024, earning a big three-year contract coming into 2025 of $18.75 million with $13.5 million guaranteed.
In 2024, he played the most snaps of his career (761), with other career highs in Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades such as defense (74.6%), coverage (74.1%), and run defense (71.5%), as well as in interceptions (three) and passes defended (seven). His defense grade ranked 16th amongst 97 safeties, and he was 13th in coverage.
Elijah Molden had some strong play, especially in Week 15 against the Buccaneers, where he had an ankle tackle on Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving on a first-and-goal, and stopped Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield on a scramble, forcing a field goal. Later in the game, former Charger edge Joey Bosa forced a fumble by former Buccaneers running back Rachaad White, and Molden recovered it. Molden’s year ended with a fractured fibula, suffered during the Week 17 game against the Patriots.
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Despite the injury, the contract signaled the belief in Molden that his 2025 would be just as bright. But last season brought fewer positives.
Injuries Plagued Elijah Molden’s 2025 Season
Elijah Molden began the 2025 training camp on the physically unable to perform list because, in addition to coming back from the fractured fibula, he also had surgery on his meniscus during the offseason. But by day four, Molden was removed from the list.
By Day 11, he was involved in team drills, and on Day 18, Eric Smith of Chargers.com noted that Molden “wore a normal white practice jersey Tuesday, the first time he’s ditched the yellow precautionary jersey in practice.”
Molden played the season opener against the Chiefs but missed time after that with a hamstring injury. He then didn’t see the field again until Week 4 against the Giants. Week 6 brought on a thumb injury, so he didn’t suit up in Week 7. He was then back for the next few games but was out again in Weeks 15 and 18 with a hamstring injury, before playing in the Wild Card game.
Ultimately, Elijah Molden played 558 defensive snaps, down from the 761 of 2024. Despite not being in as many games, Molden was sixth for the Chargers in regular-season total tackles (52).
He showed off those tackling skills all season with big takedowns on Raiders wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. in Week 13 and on Steelers running back Jaylen Warren in Week 10.
Though Molden didn’t reach the highs of 2024, when healthy, he was still a force.
Will Molden Earn His Contract in 2026?
Elijah Molden missed the majority of the 2022 season with a groin injury, and the sheer amount of injuries sustained in 2025 doesn’t inspire confidence that he can make it through the entire season without missing a week or two. If he can repeat 2024 and be third in total tackles (75), second in interceptions (three), and tied for fourth in passes defended for the Chargers, then he will have, without a doubt, earned his extension.
Durability, though, may be the deciding factor in whether the Chargers keep him until his contract expires.