It's been two months to the day since the start of free agency.
That means Damion Square has spent the last eight weeks contemplating where he'd play this season. But today, 60 days since the new league year began, the Los Angeles Chargers announced they brought the nose tackle back into the fold for the 2019 season.
Re-signing meant returning to the only place Square wanted to be.
"Going through free agency, things can get a little scary sometimes," Square said. "But, going through the decision with my family, (contemplating) different opportunities and going around and around with it, it felt good to come back home."
Square admitted it was hard not knowing what was going to happen for two months. Living in a time where social media makes headlines unavoidable, he wasn't in denial about his peers in the league. He said he couldn't help but compare himself to others who were getting jobs before him.
"It's a wild time," he admitted. "There are things you expect (and things you don't). What's happening, what's not happening. You see guys going to different places, but you have no choice but as a player to weigh yourself up against those guys. It's a wild period of time but I'm happy that the people who want me are still here and (I'm back)."
Square is no stranger to adversity and being able to persevere. Afterall, patience is a virtue.
Originally an undrafted free agent in 2013, Square initially signed with the Philadelphia Eagles who released him the following August. He then was claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs and subsequently released in October 2014.
But it was the following week of the 2014 season where he found that "home" with the Chargers. He turned into a stabilizing force on the defensive line, particularly in 2018. Just ask General Manager Tom Telesco.
"Damion is the glue up front," Telesco said this offseason. "You can play him in so many different spots and he plays those spots well. It's not only that you can put him in that spot, but he can play it well. At maybe 290 pounds he's very strong, great leverage and great hand movements."
Though he's entering his seventh season in the league and sixth with the Bolts, Square knows that versatility has been one of his greatest growing points.
"(I've grown) just finding my place in the room," Square said. "That changes a lot, back to what Tom said, just looking around the room, guys can do different things and I like to think of myself as the utility guy. I'm a guy who can pretty much answer any call that comes."
So now that he's back, what excites Square most about this Chargers team? Along with the young talent they have, the answer he gave may not surprise you.
"We're still a young team with guys who have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of energy. I just like the energy these guys bring to a basic workout. We come out here and we joke and we're laughing. I like to call it an easy workplace. Guys like to come here and perform and see each other every day. It's kind of hard to walk out of this place; we hang around the locker room a lot even after workouts because we enjoy being around each other. That's what's so cool about this team."
Browse through the top photos from offseason workouts as Chargers' rookies take the field with the vets.
