Chargers Nab Former Vikings Defender from Free Agency
Once upon a time, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson represented one of the Minnesota Vikings’ main free agency additions. Five years later, the ginormous interior defensive lineman has found a new home with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Los Angeles added size, experience, and trench reliability with Tomlinson.
The Arizona Cardinals severed ties with Tomlinson last week, and it did not take long for the Chargers to swoop in with a contract.
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Tomlinson to the Chargers
It’s Tomlinson’s fifth career chapter. Chargers.com’s Eric Smith wrote Friday, “The Bolts have added some beef up front. The Chargers on Friday announced they have agreed to terms with Dalvin Tomlinson, a move that adds depth and durability to the defensive line room. Tomlinson has played for four teams in his NFL career, most recently with the Cardinals in 2025.”
“He also spent multiple seasons with the Giants, Vikings and Browns. The 32-year-old, who was a 2017 second-round pick by New York, has played in 142 career games, starting all of them. Tomlinson has been durable, too, missing just seven total games over his nine-year career. Tomlinson has mostly been known as a run-stopping defensive tackle in his career as he’s listed at 6-foot-3 and 335 pounds.”
Year No. 10 in the pros for Tomlinson will occur in the AFC West.
LAC’s DT Group
The Chargers will hope to reach the postseason for a third season in a row next year, and they’ll do so with this group of interior defensive linemen:
- Jamaree Caldwell
- Justin Eboigbe
- Dalvin Tomlinson
- Teair Tart
- Scott Matlock
- Josh Fuga
- TeRah Edwards
It’s also worth noting that Tomlinson is the only newcomer on defense in free agency so far for Harbaugh’s team.
BoltBeat‘s Jason Reed claimed last week the Tomlinson addition could signal the end of Matlock as a DT-FB hybrid: “Matlock now finds himself as the fifth defensive lineman, at best, on the depth chart before the team makes more additions in the 2026 NFL Draft. Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, Tomlinson and third-year Harbaugh draft pick Justin Eboigbe are all ahead of Matlock on the pecking order.”
“Harbaugh will almost certainly give Matlock plenty of chances to lock down a spot in the rotation, especially with how malleable he has been the last two years. But based on how the room is already shaking out, and how the team may continue investing there, it’s hard to see a path to playing time for Matlock.”
Tomlinson’s Resume and Time in MIN
After leaving the New York Giants, Tomlinson joined the Vikings in 2021, signing a two-year contract, a relative rarity for free agents that year. Then–general manager Rick Spielman deserves credit for the successful move.
Minnesota acquired Tomlinson, expecting him to excel as a three-technique defensive tackle. While Mike Zimmer’s staff initially used him in that role, the team shifted him back to nose tackle in 2022, a position he previously held with the Giants. Tomlinson’s build made him a natural fit to control the middle and absorb double teams.
During his time in Minnesota, Tomlinson consistently performed at a high level. In 2021, Pro Football Focus (PFF) awarded him a grade of 74.9, ranking him 16th out of 109 interior defensive linemen and making him the Vikings’ fifth-highest-graded player that season. Before joining the Vikings, Tomlinson had consistently earned PFF grades above 74.0, demonstrating his reliability and durability. He maintained that consistency throughout 2022, his final season with the Vikings.
Here’s Tomlinson’s PFF scorecard through nine seasons:
- 2025: 43.2
- 2024: 67.4
- 2023: 61.2
- 2022: 77.0
- 2021: 74.9
- 2020: 75.1
- 2019: 78.2
- 2018: 76.1
- 2017: 81.0
And his full destination resume:
- New York Giants (2017–2020)
- Minnesota Vikings (2021–2022)
- Cleveland Browns (2023–2024)
- Arizona Cardinals (2025)
- Los Angeles Chargers (2026-now)
Other Chargers Free Agent Adds
Here’s a look at the Chargers’ first week of free agency:
- Tyler Biadasz (C) WAS → LAC
- Josh Harris (LS) LAC → LAC
- Alec Ingold (FB) MIA → LAC
- Charlie Kolar (TE) BAL → LAC
- Trey Lance (QB) DAL → LAC
- Deane Leonard (CB) LAC → LAC
- Keaton Mitchell (RB) BAL → LAC
- Denzel Perryman (LB) LAC → LAC
- Del’Shawn Phillips (ED) LAC → LAC
- Trey Pipkins (RT) LAC → LAC
- Cole Strange (G) NE → LAC
- Dalvin Tomlinson (DL) ARI → LAC
And the 2025 Chargers who’ve signed elsewhere:
- Da’Shawn Hand (DL) LAC→ ATL
- Zion Johnson (G) LAC → CLE
- Otito Ogbonnia (DL) LAC → DAL
- Odafe Oweh (ED) LAC → WAS
- Jamaree Salyer (G) LAC → MIA
- Benjamin St-Juste (CB) LAC → GB
- Tyler Conklin (TE) LAC → DET
Tomlinson turned 32 last month and should have a few seasons left in his impressive career.
The Chargers also employ former Vikings linebacker Troy Dye.
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