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The Largest Selection of Wholesale Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Products in Los Angeles

When it comes to trying new, exciting cuisine, few foods hit the spot like a deliciously fresh Mediterranean meal. However, we know that it can be very difficult to find authentic Mediterranean grocery wholesalers in Los Angeles, CA. Having lived in metro Atlanta for years, we realized that our customers needed an easy way to find quality wholesale Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food in bulk. That is why we created Nazareth Grocery Mediterranean Market - to give everyone a chance to enjoy tasty, healthy food, desserts, and authentic Mediterranean gifts at wholesale prices.

Founded in 2009, Nazareth Grocery has become one of Los Angeles's leading international wholesale grocery stores. We are very proud to serve our customers and do everything in our power to give them the largest selection of high-quality wholesale goods available.

If you're looking for the freshest, most delicious Middle Eastern wholesale products and ingredients, you will find them here at the best prices in the state. We encourage you to swing by our store in Marietta to see our selection for yourself. We think that you will be impressed!

The Nazareth Difference

At Nazareth Grocery Mediterranean Market, our mission is simple: bring you and your family the largest selection of wholesale Mediterranean products in Los Angeles. When coupled with our helpful, friendly staff and authentic Middle Eastern atmosphere, it's easy to see why we are the top Middle Eastern grocery wholesaler in Los Angeles, CA. We're proud to carry just about every kind of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern product that you can think of, from prepared meals and hookahs to fine seasonings and sweets. We're here for our customers and want each one of them to have a unique, one-of-a-kind experience when they shop with us.

Our loyal customers love our selection of the following wholesale foods and gifts:

  • Fresh Breads
  • OlivesOlives
  • HummusHummus
  • CheesesCheeses
  • SaucesSauces
  • Savory-FoodsSavory Foods
  • DessertsDesserts
  • DrinksDrinks
  • HookahsHookahs
  • TobaccoTobacco
  • SaucesGifts
  • Much More!Much More!

Our Service Areas

Most Popular Wholesale Mediterranean Foods

There is so much more to Mediterranean food than pizza and pasta. The perfect climate combined with delicious foods and amazing wine makes the Mediterranean incredibly irresistible. That's why our customers absolutely love to buy this kind of cuisine in bulk. Every country in this region has its own set of specialties and delicacies, each with its own flavors and styles of preparation.

Mediterranean countries include:

  • France
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Turkey
  • Syria
  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • Libya
  • Morocco
  • Tunisia
  • Spain
Mediterranean Grocery Los Angeles, CA

So, when it comes to the most popular wholesale Mediterranean products in Los Angeles,
what are we talking about?

 Mediterranean Supermarkets Los Angeles, CA

Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is a classic Mediterranean dairy product that is often enjoyed on its own, in Greek salads, on bread, or mixed with zucchini. Depending on where the feta is sourced and produced, the cheese can be made from cow, sheep, or goat milk, or even a combination of the three. Regardless of the animal it comes from, this delicious cheese is a crowd favorite.

 Mediterranean Grocery Store Los Angeles, CA

Baba Ganoush

This Levantine dish is one of the most well-known Mediterranean dishes to eat in the United States. It typically comes in the form of a dip, served with pita or another kind of dipping bread. Commonly served before dinner as an appetizer of sorts, it usually features tahini, eggplant, garlic, spices, and sometimes yogurt. This tasty cuisine works great as a spread on a sandwich, or you can even eat it with a spoon, all on its own.

 Middle Eastern Grocery Los Angeles, CA

Baklava

If you have never tried authentic baklava before, get ready to have your mind blown. This dessert is a traditional Mediterranean food that will have your taste buds craving more and more. Once you open a box of baklava from our Mediterranean grocery wholesaler in Los Angeles, CA, you won't want to stop eating! Baklava is made with layers of thin filo dough, which is layered together, filled with chopped nuts (think pistachios), and sealed with honey or syrup. Baklava is so good that its origins are debated, leaving many wondering which country invented the dessert. Everyone from the Turks to the Greeks and even Middle Easterners hold unique takes on baklava. Try each one to discover your favorite!

Most Popular Wholesale Middle Eastern Foods

Fresh, healthy, aromatic, rich: it's no wonder that the popularity of Middle Eastern cuisine and products has skyrocketed in the United States. This genre of cuisine features a large variety of foods, from Halvah to Labneh. If there were one common theme throughout all Middle Eastern food, it would be the bright, vibrant herbs and spices that are used. These flavorings help create rich, complex flavors that foodies fawn over. Typically, Middle Eastern food is piled high for all to eat, with enough food for an entire republic to put down.

 Mediterranean Food Stores Los Angeles, CA

Tabbouleh

This refreshing, healthy dish is chock-full of greens, herbs, tomatoes, and bulgur (or cracked wheat), creating a memorable, bold flavor. This dish may be eaten on its own or paired with a shawarma sandwich or helping of falafel. It's best to buy your ingredients in bulk to make this dish because it tastes best freshly made with family around to enjoy. Just be sure to bring a toothpick to the tabbouleh party - you're almost certain to have some leafy greens stuck in your teeth after eating.

 Middle Eastern Market Los Angeles, CA

Shawarma

We mentioned shawarma above, and for good reason - this dish is enjoyed by men and women around the world, and of course, right here in the U.S. Except for falafel, this might be the most popular Middle Eastern food item in history. Shawarma is kind of like a Greek gyro, with slow-roasted meat stuffed in laffa with veggies and sauce. The blend of spices and the smoky meat mix together to create a tangy, meaty flavor that you will want to keep eating for hours. For western-style shawarma, try using beef or chicken. For a more traditional meal, try using lamb from our Middle Eastern grocery distributor in Los Angeles, CA.

 Greek Grocery Store Los Angeles, CA

Hummus

Traditionally used as a dip meant for fresh pita, hummus is a combo of chickpeas, garlic, and tahini, blended together until silky, smooth, and creamy. You can find hummus in just about any appetizer section of a Middle Eastern restaurant menu. That's because it's considered a staple of Middle Eastern food that can be enjoyed by itself, as a spread, or with fresh-baked pita bread. Hummus is also very healthy, making it a no-brainer purchase from our grocery store.

Benefits of Eating a Mediterranean Diet

If there's one diet that is most well-known for its health benefits, it has got to be the Mediterranean diet. In 2019, U.S. News & World Report listed the Mediterranean diet as No. 1 on its best over diet list. This incredible diet has been cited to help with weight loss, brain health, heart health, diabetes prevention, and cancer prevention.

Whether you already love Mediterranean food or you're looking to make some positive changes in your life, this "diet" is for you. Eating cuisine like Greek food, Persian food, Turkish food, and Italian food is healthy and tastes great. Even better than that? At Nazareth Wholesale Grocery, we have many staples of the Mediterranean diet for sale in bulk so that you can stock up on your favorites at the best prices around.

So, what exactly is the Mediterranean diet?

It is a way of eating that incorporates traditional Greek, Italian, and other Mediterranean cultures' foods. These foods are often plant-based and make up the foundation of the diet, along with olive oil. Fish, seafood, dairy, and poultry are also included in moderation. Red meat and sweets are only eaten in moderation, not in abundance. Mediterranean food includes many forms of nuts, fruits, vegetables, fish, seeds, and more. Of course, you can find at them all at our wholesale Mediterranean grocery store!

Here are just a few of the many benefits of eating a healthy Mediterranean diet:

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Reduced Risk
of Heart Disease

Many studies have been conducted on this diet, many of which report that Mediterranean food is excellent for your heart. Some of the most promising evidence comes from a randomized clinical trial published in 2013. For about five years, researchers followed 7,000 men and women around the country of Spain. These people had type 2 diabetes or were at a high risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants in the study who ate an unrestricted Mediterranean diet with nuts and extra-virgin olive oil were shown to have a 30% lower risk of heart events.

Reduced Risk of Stroke for Women

Reduced Risk
of Stroke for Women

In addition to the heart-healthy benefits of a Mediterranean diet, studies have shown that eating healthy Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods can reduce the chances of stroke in women. The study was conducted in the U.K., which included women between the ages of 40 and 77. Women who stuck to the Mediterranean diet showed a lower risk of having a stroke - especially women who were at high risk of having one.

Benefits of Eating a Mediterranean Diet

First and foremost, purchase your Mediterranean and Middle Eastern wholesale foods from Nazareth Grocery - we're always updating our inventory! Getting started on this healthy, delicious diet is easy.

Try these tips:

Try these tips

1.

Instead of unhealthy sweets like candy and ice cream, try eating fresh fruit instead. It's refreshing, tasty, and often packed with great vitamins and nutrients.

2.

Try eating fish twice a week, in lieu of red meat. Fish is much healthier and doesn't have the unfortunate side effects of red meat, like inflammation.

3.

Try planning out your meals using beans, whole grains, and veggies. Don't start with meats and sweets.

4.

They're tasty, but try to avoid processed foods completely.

5.

Instead of using butter to flavor your food, use extra virgin olive oil instead. Olive oil contains healthy fats and tastes great too.

6.

Try to get more exercise and get out of the house. The Mediterranean lifestyle is an active one, best enjoyed in the beautiful sunshine when possible.

Why Buy Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Products Wholesale?

Buying wholesale and retail are quite different. When you buy products from a wholesaler, you're essentially buying from the middleman between a retail establishment and the manufacturer. Wholesale purchases are almost always made in bulk. Because of that, buyers pay a discounted price. That's great for normal buyers and great for business owners, who can sell those products to profit. This higher price is called the retail price, and it is what traditional customers pay when they enter a retail store.

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 Middle Eastern Store Los Angeles, CA

Latest News in Los Angeles, CA

Chargers name Michigan's Jesse Minter DC; Greg Roman eyed for OC

ReactionsLike668Wow6Laugh3Fire1Interesting1Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said goodbye to the program after two years Tuesday, as he prepares to return to the NFL.Minter, who helped Michigan to its first national title in 26 seasons as well as two Big Ten championships and CFP appearances, is reuniting with new ...

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Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said goodbye to the program after two years Tuesday, as he prepares to return to the NFL.

Minter, who helped Michigan to its first national title in 26 seasons as well as two Big Ten championships and CFP appearances, is reuniting with new Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh as the team's defensive coordinator, it was announced Tuesday evening.

The Chargers on Tuesday were also finalizing a deal to hire Greg Roman as offensive coordinator, a source told ESPN, confirming an NFL Network report. The deal is expected to be announced as early as Wednesday.

Minter, 40, came to Michigan after a season as Vanderbilt's defensive coordinator, which followed three years as a Baltimore Ravens assistant under Harbaugh's brother, John. Minter announced his departure Tuesday on social media.

Minter in 2022 was named a finalist for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant coach. Michigan led the nation in fewest points allowed (13.1 PPG) in his two seasons as coordinator and ranked third nationally in yards per play allowed (4.47).

The son of longtime college coach Rick Minter, Jesse Minter first became a coordinator in 2011 at Indiana State and later held the role at Georgia State.

Harbaugh and Roman's coaching relationship goes back over a decade, when Roman was an associate head coach on Harbaugh's staff at Stanford for two seasons (2009-10). Roman followed Harbaugh to the NFL in 2011, when Harbaugh became head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Under Roman, the 49ers ranked in the top five in the NFL in rushing yards per game for three straight seasons.

He was most recently the offensive coordinator for the Ravens from 2019 to 2022. In Baltimore, Roman built one of the most prolific rushing offenses in NFL history, sparking quarterback Lamar Jackson to win the second unanimous MVP award in NFL history in 2019. That same season, Roman won the AP Assistant of the Year award.

In general manager Joe Hortiz and Harbaugh's introductory news conferences, there was an emphasis on fixing the Chargers' putrid rushing attack, which hasn't ranked in the top 10 in yards per game since 2007. Roman's history shows that he could turn this group around, which the Chargers hope makes things easier for quarterback Justin Herbert and their passing offense.

"You build a great run game and a great offensive line, you protect your quarterback," Hortiz said Tuesday. "I've seen it done year in and year out where I came from. You help him by supporting him with players that help the entire offense."

The Chargers also are set to hire Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston for the same role, a source told ESPN, confirming an NFL Network report. Elston spent the past two seasons with Jim Harbaugh and Minter after a lengthy run with Notre Dame.

Harbaugh, who coached Michigan for the past nine seasons, is bringing several key assistants from his alma mater to the Chargers, including strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert. Jay Harbaugh, the son of Jim Harbaugh, who worked at Michigan under his father since 2015, also has left the program for the NFL and is expected to be hired by the Seattle Seahawks as their special teams coordinator, a source told ESPN, confirming a report by Sports Illustrated.

Steve Clinkscale, Michigan's defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator, is the only defensive assistant still at the school under new coach Sherrone Moore.

Sources: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers reach agreement

Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers have reached agreement on a new contract, ensuring that one of the greatest players in franchise history will remain with the only organization he has ever pitched for, sources...

Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers have reached agreement on a new contract, ensuring that one of the greatest players in franchise history will remain with the only organization he has ever pitched for, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.

Kershaw, who turns 36 in March, will take his physical at the Dodgers' spring training complex in Glendale, Arizona, within the next day or two, a source told ESPN. The Athletic reported that he will sign a one-year contract that includes a player option for 2025, creating the possibility that he could pitch in the same rotation as Shohei Ohtani next year.

Kershaw will spend at least the first half of the year recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

The Dodgers can afford to wait. Tyler Glasnow and the newly signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto will make up the top of their rotation at the start of the season, and Walker Buehler, recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, will join shortly thereafter. The Dodgers also signed James Paxton over the offseason and have Bobby Miller locking down a spot, with the likes of Emmet Sheehan, Michael Grove and Gavin Stone also able to contribute.

Kershaw was expected to sign with either the Dodgers or his hometown Texas Rangers this offseason. The New York Post first reported the agreement.

A three-time Cy Young Award winner, an MVP and the predominant pitcher of his era, Kershaw has battled a string of injuries and a decline in velocity in recent years but has nonetheless continued to be exceedingly effective.

The most glaring example came late last season after Kershaw spent all of July sidelined by a sore shoulder. When he returned in August, he struggled to reach 90 mph and was kept on a conservative pitching schedule by the Dodgers. He still found a way to post a 2.23 ERA in eight starts over the last two months of the regular season -- his 16th with the team.

In his lone 2023 postseason outing, Kershaw imploded, getting charged with six runs and recording only one out against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. He was preparing to start again in Game 4, but the Dodgers -- a 100-win team for the third straight year -- were swept in three games, marking the second straight year they had been eliminated in their first round by a division rival.

Three weeks later, Kershaw released a statement announcing he had undergone surgery to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder, adding: "I am hopeful to return to play at some point next summer."

Kershaw finished in the top three of National League Cy Young voting every year from 2011 to 2015, during which he led all MLB starting pitchers in wins (88), ERA (2.11) and WHIP (0.93) while ranking third in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.16).

He went on the injured list every season thereafter, suffering injuries to his elbow, forearm, shoulder, hips, biceps and back. But he continued to thrive with his highly praised work ethic and a fastball-slider combination that hitters were continually baffled by. Kershaw averaged only 138 innings from 2016 to 2023 -- though the 2020 season was shortened to 60 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic -- but he still posted a 2.55 ERA, second only to Jacob deGrom among qualified starters.

Over his 16 seasons, Kershaw has held opposing batters to a .209 average while going 210-92 with a 2.48 ERA, 2,944 strikeouts and just 669 walks. He has also made 39 appearances in the postseason, starting 32 games, with a 13-13 record, a 4.49 ERA and 213 strikeouts.

Kershaw's elusive title finally arrived in 2020, a milestone that admittedly lifted a sizeable weight off his shoulders. He has entered each of the past three offseasons uncertain about retirement, spending the initial weeks deliberating with his wife and children before deciding to return on one-year contracts.

This offseason played out similarly -- but his recovery from shoulder surgery has added an extra layer of uncertainty.

The Dodgers currently have a full 40-man roster and still need to make room for reliever Ryan Brasier, who was re-signed earlier this week. The Dodgers will have additional space beginning Thursday, when teams can place players on the 60-day injured list and thus clear additional 40-man-roster spots. Kershaw is expected to be among that group, as will fellow starters Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, who both also underwent surgery last year.

Lakers players not worried about future ahead of trade deadline

ReactionsLike177Laugh3Fire2CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In the NBA equivalent of the teacher telling the class, "Pencils down," because test time is over, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the ...

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In the NBA equivalent of the teacher telling the class, "Pencils down," because test time is over, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Charlotte Hornets 124-118 on Monday to improve to 27-25 and now will wait to see what happens to their team leading up to Thursday's trade deadline.

The victory assured L.A. a successful 4-2 road trip and extended its win streak to three -- the longest the Lakers have strung together since winning four straight in early December, culminating in winning the in-season tournament championship in Las Vegas.

While wins over quality opponents such as the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks were encouraging, and even the Hornets win required some temerity to stave off a late run by a young ballclub playing with no pressure, Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka was "stuck on calls" all day, a team source told ESPN, discussing potential deals.

Should anything materialize, L.A.'s roster could look a lot different the next time it takes the court Thursday night against the defending champion Denver Nuggets.

After a run to the Western Conference finals last spring, L.A. is No. 9 in the West and would need to catch the No. 6 Phoenix Suns, who are three games ahead with 30 games left, to avoid the play-in tournament.

The Lakers' best point-of-attack defender, Jarred Vanderbilt, was diagnosed with a right midfoot sprain on Monday that will keep him out at least the next three to four weeks before being reevaluated, and their backup point guard, Gabe Vincent, continues to be sidelined with a knee injury after having played only five games so far this season.

With the Lakers facing those indisputable challenges, while also ranking 20th in offense and 14th in defense overall, LeBron James was asked whether he believes the team is good enough as currently constructed to win a championship or if changes would be prudent.

"It's not a question for me," James said after closing out the road trip with 26 points on 12-for-22 shooting -- including several rim-rattling dunks -- in 40 minutes to secure the win. "I love who we have in the locker room. And that's all I worry about."

James added: "We're going to go out and prepare ourselves every single night no matter what it is. No matter who's out on this team. No matter what."

The only Laker to outscore James on Monday was D'Angelo Russell, who led the team with 28 points and added six assists.

Russell's name has been mentioned in trade talks with the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks in recent weeks, sources told ESPN, while the point guard managed to play some of the best basketball of his career.

Over his past 16 games, since returning from a bruised tailbone, Russell has averaged 22.2 points on 46.3% shooting (44.9% from 3) with 2.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, and L.A. went 10-6.

"I don't care. At all," Russell said when asked how he will deal with the speculation leading up to the deadline. "Show up to work. That's it."

When asked to elaborate, the 27-year-old alluded to the terms of his $17.3 million contract, which includes an $18.7 million player option for next season, as a simple fact of being a size that could fit into a plethora of potential deals.

"I mean, I can't control that my contract makes sense to be traded, either," Russell said. "So, I mean, just play. You can't control that. Once again, I don't care. At all."

Russell could have avoided this situation in the summertime when he re-upped with the Lakers. The nature of his contract would have included an implied no-trade clause; however, he and his agent waived that stipulation.

Russell was asked to explain why he chose to waive his ability to block any trade this season.

"I just thought it made sense," Russell said. "Obviously I've been here before, I played for the Lakers before, so I know what the requirements are to be successful here are. So, if you're part of the future here you'll be successful. If you're not, you'll get traded. And I've been traded before here. So, my approach is just a little different.

"I really just genuinely, humbly don't care because I know I can't control it, one. And, two, I just won't allow my mind to go there. I like to focus on this and you guys see how I've been focusing on basketball and not comments and what's trending on social."

While their play hasn't always meshed perfectly this season, Russell's and James' answers were certainly in sync in Charlotte.

Until something happens, the players' responsibility is to do their jobs, business as usual.

"This is who we have," James said. "So there's nothing else to talk about."

Dodgers trade Caleb Ferguson to Yankees, ink Ryan Brasier

ReactionsLike101Interesting2Celebrate2The Los Angeles Dodgers changed the complexion of the back end of their bullpen on Monday, trading left-hander Caleb Ferguson to the ...

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The Los Angeles Dodgers changed the complexion of the back end of their bullpen on Monday, trading left-hander Caleb Ferguson to the New York Yankees and agreeing with right-hander Ryan Brasier to a two-year, $9 million contract.

Brasier's deal, confirmed by multiple sources, is still pending the completion of a physical. Once he signs, Brasier would essentially swap places with Ferguson -- obtained by the Yankees in exchange for lefty reliever Matt Gage and low-level pitching prospect Christian Zazueta Jr. -- and join Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol and Joe Kelly among the Dodgers' high-leverage relievers.

Brasier, 36, struggled mightily with the Boston Red Sox over the first month and a half of the 2023 season, posting a 7.29 ERA in 20 appearances before his release. But he pitched brilliantly upon joining the Dodgers in early June, incorporating a cutter into his repertoire and allowing just three runs in 38? innings for the remainder of the season.

Ferguson, 27, was solid in his first full season as a Dodgers reliever in 2023, posting a 3.43 ERA in 68 appearances, striking out 70 batters and issuing 23 walks in 60? innings. Ferguson joins Victor Gonzalez among former Dodgers lefty relievers traded to the Yankees this offseason. Ferguson, heading into his last year before free agency, is expected to be the Yankees' primary lefty, joining righties Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loaisiga and Tommy Kahnle in the back end of the bullpen.

The Dodgers still need to open a spot on their 40-man roster for Brasier, whose deal, according to a source, can reach up to $13 million with performance bonuses.

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz doubles down on Jim Harbaugh's titles vow

ReactionsLike120Laugh6Interesting2Fire1COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz doubled down on coach Jim Harbaugh's "multiple championships" declaration, promising to deliver owner Dean Spanos at least two more rings, in Tuesday's introductory news conference."We...

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COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz doubled down on coach Jim Harbaugh's "multiple championships" declaration, promising to deliver owner Dean Spanos at least two more rings, in Tuesday's introductory news conference.

"We're going to build a consistent winner here," Hortiz said. "We're going to bring you a trophy. Dean, we are going to get it done. I got four boys, I got two rings. We're getting the other two at least and we're going to keep trying to build."

Hortiz, 48, was with the Ravens for the past 26 years, serving as director of player personnel since 2019 and helping general manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh, Jim's brother. Hortiz won two Super Bowls in Baltimore, including one over Jim Harbaugh when he coached the San Francisco 49ers in 2013.

The Chargers offered Hortiz the job a day after the Ravens' loss to the Kansas Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Hortiz described the Chargers as a "dream job," pointing to quarterback Justin Herbert, Harbaugh and Spanos.

"In personnel, if you ask any scout, 'What are the three things you want?' You want great ownership, check. You want a great head coach, check. And you want a great quarterback, check," Hortiz said. "Any scout that walks into a GM role, if you say I got those three things, you got a chance, you got a chance to be really good. So, we got a chance here to be really good."

Hortiz spoke confidently about his hopes for turning this Chargers team, which finished 5-12 this season, into a contender. He dismissed the idea of a rebuild and emphasized toughness throughout when speaking about the players he hopes to add.

"We want people to walk into SoFi [Stadium], teams to walk in and know what they're in for," he said. "That's what teams knew when they were playing Baltimore, and that's what we're going to try to create here."

Perhaps the most obvious hurdle standing in the way of the Chargers becoming contenders next season is the team's salary cap. The Chargers are projected to be $54.2 million over the cap, according to the Roster Management System, meaning they may have to depart from some of their best players. Outside linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen have cap hits upward of $30 million next season.

"In personnel, if you ask any scout, 'What are the three things you want? You want great ownership, check. You want a great head coach, check. And you want a great quarterback, check ... So, we got a chance here to be really good." Chargers GM Joe Hortiz

Hortiz has experience managing tense contract decisions, most recently in Baltimore. The Ravens went through a public struggle with quarterback Lamar Jackson -- who requested a trade -- before signing a record deal. Hortiz called navigating the salary cap "not a fun part" of the business but said he will have discussions in earnest about the Chargers' roster in the coming weeks when they finalize the coaching staff.

"You don't want to hold on to players, ever," Hortiz said, "as a personnel guy, that is on a decline or have passed the point of decline."

A focus of Hortiz and Harbaugh seems to be the Chargers' rushing game. The Chargers had one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL, finishing 25th in rushing yards per game (96.6), 27th in yards per rush (3.8) and 30th in rushes of 10 plus yards (33). In San Francisco, Harbaugh's rushing offense ranked in the top five in his final three seasons after finishing eighth in his first year. The Chargers haven't ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards per game since 2007.

"You build a great run game and a great offensive line, you protect your quarterback," Hortiz said when asked about building around Herbert. "I've seen it done year in and year out where I came from. You help him by supporting him with players that help the entire offense."

Team president John Spanos said that during their search for a coach and GM, finding two people who fit was crucial, noting that they didn't want an "arranged marriage."

Hortiz and Harbaugh appear to be the opposite of a forced marriage. They have known each other since Hortiz's first year with the Ravens in 1998 when Harbaugh was the Ravens' starting quarterback and Hortiz was a lower-level staffer of Ravens' personnel department.

That year, Harbaugh invited Hortiz to a game of racquetball with Eric Zeier, another Ravens quarterback. It was Hortiz's introduction to Harbaugh's competitiveness.

"I swear to you, I'm so blessed to be here today because I got out of that room," Hortiz said with a smile. "I was getting thrown around. I'm getting ready to hit a ball off the wall; Jim comes in and just chucks me into the middle of the court, so I realized I was there to just give them a break. ... I saw his fiery nature then, his competitiveness. His desire to win."

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