Ja'Sir Taylor's Former Teammates on the Los Angeles Chargers

When Ja’Sir Taylor was traded from the Los Angeles Chargers to the New York Jets in November 2025, he left behind more than a locker and a playbook—he left a group of teammates who’d grown to respect him as much for his character as his on-field contributions. Taylor, a sixth-round pick in 2023, spent three seasons with the Chargers, evolving from a practice-squad hopeful to a reliable rotational cornerback and special teams standout. Ja'Sir Taylor's Former Teammates on the Los Angeles Chargers captures the stories, memories, and praise from the players who lined up beside him, practiced with him, and called him a friend. For a team often defined by star power, Taylor’s legacy is a reminder that the unsung players—those who bring heart, hustle, and humility—can leave an equally lasting mark.

Ja'Sir Taylor's Former Teammates on the Los Angeles Chargers begins with the perspective of Derwin James Jr., the Chargers’ All-Pro safety and defensive leader. James, who often worked with Taylor in secondary drills and game-planning sessions, emphasized Taylor’s willingness to learn and adapt. “Ja’Sir was the guy who stayed late after practice to work on his footwork, even when he was tired,” James recalled. “He’d come up to me after film sessions and ask, ‘What can I do to get better? How do I read this route?’ That hunger—you can’t teach that. He didn’t care if he was a sixth-round pick or a starter; he just wanted to help the team win.” James also highlighted a key moment from the 2024 season: in a Week 14 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Taylor stepped in for an injured J.C. Jackson, recorded an interception, and made a game-saving tackle on fourth down. “That game showed who Ja’Sir is,” James said. “He didn’t flinch when the moment got big. He just went out there and played his best—and that’s the kind of teammate you want in your corner.”

Ja'Sir Taylor's Former Teammates on the Los Angeles Chargers delves into the special teams unit, where Taylor made his biggest impact early in his career. Chargers special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken (who works closely with players like linebacker Drue Tranquill and kick returner Andre Roberts) often praised Taylor’s consistency, but it’s Tranquill—who lined up beside Taylor on kickoff and punt coverage—who paints the clearest picture. “Special teams is where the grinders live, and Ja’Sir was our grinder,” Tranquill said. “He never complained about being on punt coverage or kickoff return—he embraced it. I remember one game against the Denver Broncos in 2023: he sprinted down the field, tackled the returner at the 10-yard line, and then got up and high-fived every single one of us on the unit. He made special teams feel like a big deal, even when it wasn’t glamorous.” Tranquill also noted Taylor’s role as a mentor to younger special teams players, like rookie linebacker Daiyan Henley. “He’d take Daiyan aside and walk him through coverage assignments, tell him where to line up, how to read the return team. He didn’t have to do that—he was a rotational player himself—but that’s just who he is. He wanted everyone to succeed.”

Ja'Sir Taylor's Former Teammates on the Los Angeles Chargers examines the offense’s perspective, with Justin Herbert weighing in on Taylor’s impact beyond the defensive side of the ball. Herbert, the Chargers’ franchise quarterback, often interacted with Taylor during joint practices and team bonding events, and he emphasized Taylor’s positive energy. “Ja’Sir was the guy who kept the locker room loose,” Herbert said. “After a tough loss, he’d be the one telling jokes, playing music, or organizing a team dinner to lift everyone’s spirits. He never let us stay down for long. On the field, even though he was on defense, he’d come up to me after a drive and say, ‘Great throw, J—let’s keep this going.’ That kind of support, from a guy on the other side of the ball, it brings the whole team together.” Herbert also recalled Taylor’s work in the community—something many fans didn’t see. “He’d volunteer at local youth football camps, spend time with kids who looked up to him, and talk to them about hard work and resilience. He didn’t do it for the cameras; he did it because he cared. That’s the real Ja’Sir.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, Taylor’s off-field impact was just as important as his on-field plays—it helped foster a culture of unity that extended beyond the locker room.

Ja'Sir Taylor's Former Teammates on the Los Angeles Chargers explores the perspective of the younger players, like rookie cornerback Keenan Isaac, who Taylor mentored during Isaac’s first season with the Chargers. Isaac, a fourth-round pick in 2025, joined the team shortly before Taylor’s trade, but the two formed a quick bond. “Ja’Sir took me under his wing from day one,” Isaac said. “He showed me where to park, how to navigate the facility, and even gave me his favorite pre-practice stretching routine. On the field, he’d watch my reps in drills and say, ‘Try this—bend your knees a little more, stay low.’ He didn’t have to help me; he was fighting for a roster spot too. But he did it anyway, because he’s a good person.” Isaac also noted that Taylor’s trade was a “tough day” for the secondary. “We all knew he wanted more playing time, and we were happy for him—but we were sad to see him go. He’s the kind of guy who makes the team better just by being around.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, Taylor’s role as a mentor is a legacy that will outlast his time with the team—Isaac and other young players will carry forward the lessons he taught them.

Ja'Sir Taylor's Former Teammates on the Los Angeles Chargers wraps up with a collective reflection from the Chargers’ locker room—one that emphasizes Taylor’s lasting impact. Whether it’s James recalling his work ethic, Tranquill praising his special teams hustle, Herbert highlighting his positive energy, or Isaac thanking him for his mentorship, the common thread is clear: Taylor was more than a teammate—he was a leader, a friend, and a role model. “Ja’Sir didn’t have the biggest stats or the most highlight reels,” James said. “But he had something just as important: he had heart. And in this league, heart goes a long way.” The Chargers’ players still keep in touch with Taylor—they text him after games, congratulate him on his successes with the Jets, and ask about his new life in New York. “We’re all rooting for him,” Tranquill said. “Because he’s one of us. He’ll always be a Charger, no matter what uniform he’s wearing.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, Ja’Sir Taylor’s legacy isn’t defined by his time with the team—it’s defined by the way he made his teammates feel, the lessons he taught them, and the example he set. And that’s a legacy that will never be traded away.