Joe Hortiz hit the media circuit Tuesday at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.

The Chargers General Manager held a 15-minute podium session and later met with Chargers beat reporters in a smaller group.

Here are five takeaways from Hortiz at the Combine:

1. Where do Khalil Mack & Joey Bosa stand?

Perhaps the biggest storyline surrounding the Chargers this week is that status of Khalil Mack.

The Chargers outside linebacker said after the season that he was going to mull retirement but Hortiz said Tuesday that he's had multiple conversations with Mack's reps of late.

"I can tell you this: I know Khalil has – does he want to play another year? Khalil's got more than one year left in his body if he wants to do it," Hortiz said. "He played great in 2023, played great last year."

Mack is set to be a free agent for the first time in his career, however, and Hortiz added that perhaps there's a chance the future Hall of Famer tests the market simply because he can.

"This week will probably tell you a little bit more because people are out talking but we'll have good conversations," Hortiz said. "I'd like to get him done before free agency starts but Khalil's never been a free agent in his life.

"So it might be something where Khalil says, 'Hey, I was a free agent, I did it and I came back to LA.' If it gets to that, that's my hope," Hortiz added.

Mack, who just turned 34 years old, has 107.5 career sacks after notching 6.0 sacks this past season. His sack total ranks fifth among active players who suited up in 2024.

"I had conversations with Khalil in December and certainly after the season and we've talked with his representation and just keep on chipping away at it," Hortiz said.

Hortiz was also asked about the status of fellow outside linebacker Joey Bosa, who has one year left on his current contract but has a sizable cap hit for 2025.

Hortiz didn't rule out the possibility of Bosa simply playing at that number this upcoming season.

"Yeah, you can do that. Absolutely," Hortiz said.

The Chargers GM then raved about Bosa's work ethic and impact on the field and in the locker room.

"I love Joey. I had a chance to be around him, and I know he wants to retire a Charger," Hortiz said. "He's made that statement. I'd love for him to retire a Charger.

"I love Joey the teammate, competitor," Hortiz said. "Just my conversations with him and just -- he's approachable, he cares, he loves the game and he loves his teammates."

Hortiz didn't go there when asked about potentially restructuring Bosa's contract, something that happened last offseason.

"Not going to talk publicly about any contract stuff. On any of the players," Hortiz said. "But just know this: I love Joey and I'd love to have him."

2. Zion Johnson to center?

The Chargers have to figure out their plan at center with Bradley Bozeman slated to be a free agent on March 12.

An internal option that Hortiz floated out? Zion Johnson, who has played both guard spots the past three seasons.

"I think he can do it. I really do," Hortiz said. "I know he's working at it right now. And so I think Zion can do it and we got other guys you don't really know yet. They were younger, not as much opportunity, that have been working at it as well."

Hortiz also mentioned youngsters such as Karsen Barnhart and Bucky Williams are other possible options.

Would it make sense to move Johnson to center and then have to fill his spot at left guard rather than just add a center?

"We'll put our best five out there, whatever it is. Best five out there," Hortiz said.

Hortiz also didn't shy away from the possibility of the Bolts addressing the interior of the offensive line in the draft.

"You always want to get young players that can develop and grow," Hortiz said. "All of our scouts go into a school and they say, 'Hey, this guy plays X, but is he center capable?'

"So you have those discussions about every player. The center group is a little bit deeper than perceived because we feel like there's some players that can play right away," Hortiz continued.

He later added: "And then free agency, we'll evaluate it. Bradley, would love to have him back and we have guys on our roster that have that flexibility that can go inside."

The Chargers are obviously set at tackle with Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Hortiz was also asked about a potential contract extension for Slater.

"I love Rashawn," Hortiz said. "Rashawn's a great player and he helps us win football games so I'd love for Rashawn to be around for a long time."

3. Weighing free agency vs. the draft

The Chargers currently have seven draft picks beginning with the 22^nd overall selection in the first round.

But they are also currently projected to have more than $70 million in cap space.

Simply put, the Chargers are in position to bolster their roster in more ways than one this offseason.

That includes getting a jump in Indianapolis on free agency, which begins with the legal tampering period March 10 and officially opens on March 12.

"It's a big week that way because you get a lot of face to face with the agents of our players," Hortiz said. "All those 26 UFAs, we get a chance to meet with a lot of their agents while we're here.

"Even if we've had discussions, we can just sit down and continue the discussions," Hortiz added. "You get some work done, you get a feel for where they're at if we already don't have that feel. It's continued dialogue from a UFA standpoint."

Hortiz, who spent 26 seasons in Baltimore prior to joining the Chargers, made it clear Tuesday where his roster-building beliefs are rooted.

"Philosophically, I believe in building through the draft," Hortiz said. "You know, obviously you have to spend money in free agency. You spend money on your own players. We have 26 players that are still unrestricted free agents, so we have an opportunity to re-sign as many as them first and then attack free agency as it happens.

"You use free agency to fill out your roster, to supplement your roster, to go get something you need," Hortiz continued. "But you know, the two play hand in hand, but I don't think you make decisions in free agency and then plan to adjust accordingly in the draft.

"You want to be able to draft the best player available and help the team because the draft is a four or five-year solution when you pick a player," Hortiz added. "Free agency is not always that. Last year we signed a bunch of 1-year deals. Some deals aren't as long. Stay draft-centric and used for agency to build around it."

In terms of free agency, Hortiz was asked about the Chargers seemingly being linked to potential free agent wide receivers.

Hortiz had some fun with his answer.

"We're linked to every receiver out there. It's unbelievable," Hortiz said. "Just go on Twitter, it's like, 'Oh, this guy, this guy, this guy.'

"Right now, the receivers I'm focused on are the ones on our team, the ones we're evaluating in the draft and the ones we're evaluating in free agency," Hortiz added. "Other receivers we're linked to, I don't worry about them."

4. Elijah Molden back in powder blue

The Bolts started free agency early last week with the news one of their own pending free agents was staying.

The Chargers signed Elijah Molden to a multi-year contract extension late last week, bringing back a crucial member of the No. 1 in scoring defense (17.7 points per game) in 2024.

Hortiz was asked about the extension for the first time in Indy, as the general manager was thrilled to be able to get the deal done before free agency begins in mid-March.

"Elijah was a big one for us," Hortiz said on Tuesday. "Obviously we loved what he did once we got him over to L.A., the flexibility and the versatility he offers and what it allows our defense to do.

"We played a lot of three safeties last year and that allows us to stay with what we found successful last year," Hortiz added. "It lets Derwin [James] be Derwin."

Molden finished the season with a career-high three interceptions, good for second most on the team. He also set career highs with 75 total tackles, seven passes defended and two fumble recoveries.

But perhaps his value came the most from what he opened up for others as Hortiz mentioned.

It was especially true for James, who had an All-Pro season because of his flexibility in Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter's scheme with Molden and Alohi Gilman holding down the safety spots.

Now with Molden back in the mix, they get a chance to run it back and build on the momentum they created in 2024.

"That was a huge re-signing, extension for us," Hortiz said. "We're very happy that got done."

Hortiz was also asked about the possibility of getting deals done with other Chargers free agents ahead of the New League Year in addition to Molden.

"To define close, not close, I'm not sure if I would put a close on any of them, but conversations are being had with all of them," Hortiz said. "I'm with Coach, I loved our group of guys last year.

"It was a special team, it was great to be a part of," Hortiz continued. "You felt it out there and you guys saw it out there, those of you that were in L.A. with us. It really was a lot of fun.

"Ideally, we'd love to bring them all back," Hortiz added. "Is that realistic? I don't know if it is, Coach doesn't know if it is, but we're going to try."

5. Hortiz on playing in Brazil

In case you missed it, the Bolts will be making their way to Brazil to start the 2025 season.

The Chargers announced last week they were selected as the NFL's designated team for a regular-season game in São Paulo, the second straight year the NFL has played a game in Brazil.

Hortiz was asked about starting the season in Brazil, as the general manager was excited about getting a chance to visit the country for the first time.

"I'm excited," Hortiz said on Tuesday. "I've never been to Brazil. I've only, in terms of outside of the country, gone to British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos and two London trips.

"I'm excited, my family is excited, it's great," Hortiz added. "We're in a standalone game, kick off the season Friday night. It's awesome we were selected for it and looking forward to it."

It is the Chargers first international game since 2019, as the opponent and kickoff time will be announced in conjunction with the release of the full 2025 NFL schedule this spring.

Of course a trip of that magnitude requires a lot of planning beforehand, something that is being continuously worked on.

Hortiz said preparations for that have been well under way since they first heard it was a possibility.

"Yeah, we've started talking about that," Hortiz said. "When we had hints that we may be going to Brazil, we started talking about that."

There are still things to iron out from now until September 5, such as when the team will head over on the long-distance flight and how far ahead of time they will leave to adjust to the time difference.

Hortiz, however, is confident in the preparations.

"Still in the process of exploring the best options, when to leave," Hortiz said. "It's, I think, a 14-hour flight I believe, and I think it's a four time zones [ahead].

"It will be a little challenge navigating it, but I think we'll have a good plan for it," Hortiz added.