Top 5 Patriots Who Played for the Chargers

The New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers meet in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season. Both franchises were original members of the American Football League in 1960. New England played as the Boston Patriots for their first ten seasons. Los Angeles moved to San Diego after the 1960 season, where they remained for 56 years before returning to L.A. in 2017.

Over the past 65 years, there have been 71 players to play for both the Patriots and Chargers. This includes current Patriots Alex Erickson, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Hunter Henry. It also includes two members of the 2024 Chargers, Jalen Reagor and Eric Tomlinson. This list honors the greatest players in Patriots history who also played for the Chargers.

The list is not based on the overall NFL careers of players who played for both franchises. Had that been the case, Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau would rank number one.

Plenty of other talented players fell just short of making the list. Apologies to Lawrence Guy Sr., Hunter Henry, J.C. Jackson, and others.

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5. Kyle Van Noy

Van Noy played five seasons with the Patriots (2016-2019 and 2021) before joining the Chargers for the 2022 season. New England made the playoffs all five years, winning three AFC Championships and two Super Bowls. He played an important role on the defense, setting the edge on the outside. Many failed to appreciate what Van Noy provided until it was gone.

Kyle Van Noy played 67 regular season games for the Patriots. He recorded 316 tackles, 21.5 sacks, forced seven fumbles, and intercepted three passes, including a pick-six. In 11 postseason games, he amassed 49 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and forced four fumbles. His signature performance was the 2018 AFC Championship, when he registered ten tackles, 2.0 sacks, and had a forced fumble in New England’s 37-31 win over Kansas City.

4. Tim Fox

New England drafted Tim Fox in the first round (No. 21 overall) of the 1976 NFL Draft. He was inactive for his first NFL game. It was the only game he didn’t play in with the Patriots. Over six seasons (1976-1981), he played in 93 of 94 games, including the postseason. He played three seasons with the San Diego Chargers (1982-1984).

Tim Fox made the 1981 Pro Bowl. He was known as one of the hardest-hitting safeties in football. He recorded 17 interceptions and recovered seven fumbles for New England. Fox was a member of the Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1970s.

3. Bill Lenkaitis

Joining Fox on the Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1970s was Bill Lenkaitis. The center played his first three NFL seasons in San Diego before playing his final 11 (1971-1981) in New England. Lenkaitis was the team’s starting center for eight seasons (1973-1980), lining up alongside legendary left guard John Hannah.

Lenkaitis never made a Pro Bowl, as the AFC featured perennial picks at his position like the Dolphins’ Jim Langer, Chiefs’ Jack Rudnay, and Steelers’ Mike Webster. However, Lenkaitis was a reliable player in the middle of a strong offensive line for nearly a decade in New England.

2. Wes Welker

Welker played his first NFL game with the San Diego Chargers in 2004. It was his lone game as a member of the Chargers. After a stop in Miami, Wes Welker joined the New England Patriots, where he enjoyed the best years of his NFL career. Welker spent six seasons in New England (2007-2012), helping them win two AFC Championships. He was a key member of the first 16-0 team in NFL history in 2007.

Wes Welker caught 672 passes for 7,459 yards and 37 touchdowns during his Patriots years. He led the NFL in receptions three times. This included a franchise record 123 in 2009. He holds the top five single-season totals in team history. Welker made five Pro Bowls with the Patriots and was selected a first-team All-Pro and second-team All-Pro twice each.

1. Rodney Harrison

Junior Seau is the only Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee to play for both the Patriots and Chargers. Rodney Harrison is likely to join him in Canton before long. The Patriots Hall of Famer played his first nine seasons with San Diego before coming to New England for his final six (2003-2008).

Rodney Harrison played a key role in the 2003 and 2004 New England Patriots winning back-to-back Super Bowls. During those championship runs, Harrison had six interceptions in six postseason games. He earned All-Pro honors in 2004. Harrison was the starting safety on the 2007 Patriots, the first NFL team to finish with a 16-0 regular season record.