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Morgan Fox probably isn't a household name across the NFL.
But the real ones know how much of an impactful player he is, and just how valuable he was to the Chargers down the stretch last season.
The Bolts announced Thursday that they have re-signed the versatile defensive lineman, a move that is a sneaky good one for the defense.
Fox said he's excited to be back.
"Just the guys I'm around, the room is awesome," Fox said. "And the potential of this team, the guys we have that have been brought in.
"After the end of last year and what we went through fighting through all those injuries, being able to be a part of this team and have everyone healthy is really what's most exciting," Fox added.
A year ago, Fox signed a 1-year contract with the Chargers after the draft and was viewed as a depth piece.
All he did was post a career-high 6.5 sacks while playing in all 17 games and making 12 starts.
Fox's previous career best in sacks was 6.0, which came in 2020 when he was with the Rams.
His defensive coordinator that season? Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley, who knows Fox's value on and off the field.
"When I think of Morgan, I think of a glue guy," Staley said in January. "I think of tough and rugged, a playmaker, versatile, do whatever it takes to help the team win.
"He just set his career high for sacks. He has been such an incredible addition to our locker room," Staley added. "You guys are all seeing what I saw back in 2020, except now he's just better. He's just an even better player. He's been a big factor in our ability to play defense at a high level."
Fox said it's no surprise he's had success under Staley.
"It's just opportunity," Fox said. "Coach Staley knows how to use me but he also gives me the opportunity to make plays.
"And it's also the guys we're around," Fox added. "It helps when the guys you're with are on the same page."
Besides being a great locker room guy as Staley mentioned, Fox came up clutch numerous times in 2022.
In a season where the defensive line was ravaged by injuries — remember that Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Christian Covington and Otito Ogbonnia all missed time — Fox pretty much played anywhere he was needed.
According to Pro Football Focus, about half of Fox's defensive snaps (283 in all) came at defensive tackle last season. He also lined up at defensive end for 298 snaps, which equated to almost half of the rest of his snaps.
That versatility was key as players shuffled in and out of the lineup around him.
"The more you can do," Fox said with a smile. "Being able to help the team at tackle, at end, is something to be proud of.
"It's a unique tool to not only be able to do it, but to do it well," Fox added.
Now that Fox is back in powder blue, he should continue to provide play-making ability as well as depth and leadership in the trenches.
A year ago, the Chargers might have been lost with Fox in the mix. Now that he's back, he'll be a critical piece in helping the defense potentially be among the league's best.
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