Joseph-day gives Chargers more than a run-stopper

COSTA MESA » Legendary boxer Mike Tyson was in need of a substitute co-host for his popular “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson” podcast. Sebastian Joseph-day, the charismatic run-stopper by day, was asked to be the champ’s one-time fill-in.

“Can you come back again?” Joseph-day recalled how he became Tyson’s permanent co-host. “They liked you.”

Chargers coach Brandon Staley also asked Joseph-day to come back because he liked what he did as a versatile defensive tackle two years ago when Staley was the Rams’ defensive coordinator.

The two officially reunited Thursday after Joseph-day signed his multi-year contract with the Chargers. It’s reportedly a three-year deal worth $24 million, with $15 million guaranteed.

Joseph-day was brought in to help repair the Chargers’ ailing run defense, along with former Giants defensive tackle Austin Johnson, who agreed to terms earlier this week.

Neither is considered a splash acquisition — the headlines went to edge rusher Khalil Mack and cornerback J.C. Jackson — but they’re vital pieces for making Staley’s two-high defensive scheme work in 2022 after receiving poor results in his first season as the Chargers’ head coach.

Staley said the Chargers are better on paper at interior defensive line, but hinted that more moves could come for a defense that allowed 138.9 rushing yards per game last season, third-worst in the NFL.

“We’re much closer to where we need to be,” Staley said. “We’re not there yet, but we’re much closer to where we need to be.”

The Chargers’ interior defensive line depth chart currently features Joseph-day, Johnson, Christian Covington, who agreed to return to the team Thursday, and Jerry Tillery, the inconsistent former first-round pick who’s heading into his fourth season.

To summarize, the Chargers swapped free-agent defensive tackles Justin Jones and Linval Joseph for Joseph-day and Johnson. Perhaps Jones or Joseph return to bolster the run defense because Staley doesn’t sound satisfied with the depth of the position.

There’s work to be done, as Staley mentioned, but he now has a player in Josephday who knows his system and provides upside.

The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Joseph-day had a productive

Joseph-day season with Staley in 2020, but the former sixth-round pick of the Rams said last season was his best season, despite being sidelined for 13 games because of a pectoral muscle injury. Joseph-day missed the Rams’ first three postseason games but he returned for the Super Bowl victory versus the Cincinnati Bengals.

Joseph-day’s personality has a way of attracting attention and wanting to know more. It worked on Tyson and Staley. But the Chargers’ coach quickly noticed Joseph-day’s potential on the field when he was first hired with the Rams.

“I know who you are, you’re a good player,” Joseph-day recalled about what Staley told him during their first meeting. “People don’t know about you yet, but people are going to find out about you real quick.

“As a young player, going into my third year, hearing that as a young player, that kind of gave me a different type of confidence.”

Joseph-day, 26, signed with the Chargers because of his familiarity with Staley, but also because he gets to stay in Southern California to continue his media ventures and community work. Joseph-day also hosts the “Dine N Bash” podcast, where he highlights small restaurants and other local businesses.