(Costa Mesa) Joe Hortiz goes from collecting talented players for John Harbaugh to running football operations with Jim Harbaugh.
Hortiz has agreed to terms to become the general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers. The team made the announcement Tuesday morning.
Hortiz — who was one of nine candidates interviewed for the job — will replace Tom Telesco, who was fired Dec. 15 after nearly 11 seasons as general manager.
“Joe is one of the most respected player evaluators in the league, whose contributions to the leadership of the Baltimore Ravens over the past two decades cannot be overstated,” said Chargers President of Football Operations John Spanos, in a press release.
Hortiz spent his entire NFL career with the Ravens. He got his start as a regional scout in 1998 and served as the Ravens’ director of player personnel for five seasons. Hortiz has overseen all aspects of professional and college recruiting since 2019.
Before becoming director of player personnel, Hortiz served as the Ravens’ director of college recruiting from 2009-2018.
Jim Harbaugh was hired as head coach of the Chargers last Wednesday and he will hold his first press conference on Thursday. Harbaugh was in Baltimore on Sunday for the American Conference final, in which the Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Hortiz’s first interview with the Chargers took place on January 13. He conducted a second interview last Friday.
“When you have had the privilege of working with an organization throughout your career, which is extremely rare in our field, the opportunity and fit must be almost perfect to consider a change,” Hortiz said in a statement. .
“It’s that opportunity. Of course, having known the Harbaugh family for all these years and having had the chance to continue that special relationship in this new role, I really couldn’t be luckier. »
Hortiz’s introductory press conference will take place on February 6.
New York Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown was the only other candidate to get a second interview.
Hortiz won’t need to find a franchise quarterback since the Chargers already have one in Justin Herbert. However, he will have to make many key roster decisions as the team sits $45 million over the salary cap. Receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, as well as linebackers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, account for at least $30 million on the payroll for the 2024 season.
The Chargers also own the fifth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft in April following a disappointing 5-12 season, including five straight losses to end the campaign.