After he was traded by the Tennessee Titans to the Los Angeles Chargers less than two weeks before the start of the NFL regular season, it didn’t take long for Elijah Molden to settle into his new home.
The former Washington Huskies star is being utilized as a hybrid nickelback/safety in coach Jim Harbaugh’s defense and had one of the best games of his four-year career in the Chargers’ 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers. He recorded 7 tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup in the win, which could be thanks to the culture Harbaugh has installed off the field.
“I feel like right now I’m playing my best football,” Molden told Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times. “The coaching staff here and my teammates are really empowering me and making me feel confident, and in terms of how I feel, my body and my mind, I feel like this is the best I’ve felt since I’ve been in the NFL.”
Molden was asked to assume a larger role against the Panthers after safety Alohi Gilman was ruled out with a knee injury and could have played himself into a bigger role, partially thanks to his attitude.
“Being newer, I know if I play with good effort and I play physical, those are the things I control, and the rest I’m going to get coached up,” he said. “Day after day, I feel more comfortable with the plays, and guys on the back end are really helping me out, but now I’m getting to a point where I feel confident in knowing what I’m supposed to do and just playing fast.”
Through two weeks, the Chargers are No. 2 in the NFL in yards allowed and No. 3 in yards per play, thanks in part to the boost Molden has given their secondary.
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