The Baltimore Ravens lost a lot of talent in free agency. It was a period that saw some big-time improvements, but it was also one that saw many valuable contributors and fan favorites depart.
One of the biggest hits could prove to be the loss of tight end Charlie Kolar. The 27-year-old was a true grinder in Baltimore, as he grew into a consistently reliable blocker and flashed as a receiving threat. Unfortunately, he never truly broke out as a receiver.
Many fans thought Kolar deserved an extension, but that just never came. After signing a three-year, $24.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, he might be poised to become more than a blocking tight end. A breakout could really be coming.
Baltimore Ravens might miss out on Charlie Kolar’s breakout by just one year
Maybe Kolar was never going to reach his fullest potential in Charm City. It was clear that the John Harbaugh-led coaching staff never trusted him as more than a sporadic weapon through the air, and after Jesse Minter’s arrival, countless changes were due to come. That, paired with a nice payday in Los Angeles, definitely played a role in why he headed out the door this offseason.
At face value, it might not exactly seem like greener pastures for Kolar. The Chargers have a loaded tight end room, as the likes of Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku will demand receiving reps. With Gadsden being on the rise and Njoku putting up long-term production in this league, Kolar has a few hurdles in front of him if he wants to crack the rotation in the team’s passing offense.
Still, some see him as a player waiting to break out. In an article highlighting one breakout candidate for every NFL team on The Athletic, Chargers writer Daniel Popper chose Kolar. Popper wrote:
“Kolar also has a ton of untapped potential as a pass catcher, and that is where the breakout could happen in Los Angeles. Kolar was playing behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely with the Ravens. He will get more opportunities in the passing game with the Chargers.”
It feels like Kolar rising into that legitimate option for the Chargers offense is inevitable. He made timely plays with the Ravens over the last couple of years, flashing as a vertical threat and showcasing the ability to outclass opposing defenders enough as a route runner. Sure, he finished his four-year tenure in Baltimore with only 30 receptions, 409 yards, and four touchdowns, but the signs that he could be a productive pass catcher were there.
Maybe he finally shines through in Los Angeles. He may be nothing more than a rotational piece, but there’s a real chance he could put up better numbers in 2026 than he ever did with the Ravens.
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