Following proactive roster moves by Chargers GM Joe Hortiz, he earned a new nickname.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh offered high praise for Hortiz on Thursday, sharing that his father, Jack Harbaugh, came up with the nickname.
“I got a new nickname for Joe. Actually, my dad, Jack Harbaugh, thought it up: ‘Chef Hortiz,'” Harbaugh said via the team’s transcript. “The way he’s adding the ingredients to this football team—football players, there’s no higher compliment you can give them. He’s mixing outstanding ingredients into this team.”
The Chargers announced a series of roster changes as they finalized their 53-man roster. Los Angeles traded for quarterback Taylor Heinicke, released veteran safety Tony Jefferson, and waived running back Jaret Patterson. They also signed center Sam Mustipher and tight end Eric Tomlinson to the practice squad, while releasing cornerback Robert Kennedy from the practice squad. Additionally, they acquired defensive back Elijah Molden in a trade with the Titans.
These moves reflect the new regime’s openness to change—a sharp contrast to the franchise’s traditionally slow approach to roster adjustments over the last decade.
Hortiz exemplifies this shift, making numerous moves to build the best 53-man roster. He brought in a veteran quarterback in Heinicke, strengthened the secondary with Molden, and even orchestrated a Michigan reunion by adding Hassan Haskins.
Harbaugh noted that Hortiz would take the lead on roster cuts, emphasizing the GM’s keen awareness of not only the Chargers but also the broader league. Hortiz’s decisions have filled crucial gaps on the roster, proving Harbaugh’s assertion that Hortiz is among the best in the business.
This marks a significant change for a team that has rarely been at the top in any category. The new era of Chargers football has already generated considerable buzz in Los Angeles, an impressive feat for a franchise competing against several legendary sports teams in the city.
