Why Can’t the Chargers Get the Interior of Their Offensive Line Right?

The Los Angeles Chargers have a pair of tackles that have each earned at least one Pro Bowl invitation. That's where the good news on the offensive line ends.

Aug 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, center Bradley Bozeman (75), guard Jamaree Salyer (68) and guard Zion Johnson (77) enter the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

This past season, only the offensive lines of the 3-14 Las Vegas Raiders and the 5-12 Cleveland Browns earned a lower ranking from Pro Football Focus than Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers. A lot of those issues were due to the sustained absences of left tackle Rashawn Slater and right tackle Joe Alt in 2025. However, part of analyst’s Zoltán Buday’s synopsis included this evaluation.

“Free-agent acquisition Mekhi Becton failed to live up to expectations during his first season with the Chargers. The former Philadelphia Eagles player gave up pressure on 8.6 percent of pass plays during the regular season, which was the worst rate among guards.”

Interior of Chargers’ offensive front has been a disaster

May 27, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton (73) during organized team activities at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Becton is currently looking for work after he was released this offseason after signing a two-year contract a year ago. The 2024 Super Bowl champion with the Eagles was PFF’s 77th-ranked guard this past season with the Bolts. His partner at left guard, Zion Johnson, is now a member of the Cleveland Browns. He was the service’s No. 54 player at the guard position. Finally, now-retired center Bradley Bozeman was Pro Football Focus’ bottom-ranked pivot this past season.

Now consider that in ’24, PFF ranked the Chargers’ offensive front 21st in the league. Left tackle Rashawn Slater, named to his second Pro Bowl, and rookie right tackle Joe Alt started 15 and 16 games, respectively. However, there was this disclaimer via Buday. “Most importantly, first-round pick Joe Alt was as advertised for the Chargers. And as a result, Los Angeles has a top-five offensive tackle tandem in the NFL."

Oct 21, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman (75) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

"However," added Buday, "the line’s interior prevents the unit from being ranked higher and is going to need overhauling this offseason.” Of course, that “overhaul” never really took place as both Johnson and Bozeman were 16-game starters this past season.

Chargers’ offensive line will have numerous new faces

Sep 21, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz (63) walks off the field after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Hence, there will be a new interior featuring six-year center Tyler Biadasz, cast off by the Washington Commanders this offseason, while general manager Joe Hortiz added right guard Cole Strange. The former first-round pick of the New England Patriots spent 2025 with new Chargers’ offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel in Miami. Hortiz did retain former Saints’ first-round tackle Trevor Penning. He made a total of four starts for Harbaugh’s club this past season, one at right guard.

As for Biadasz, just 11 pivots in the league earned a higher grade from Pro Football Focus, which is why his release in March earlier this year was certainly a surprise. Meanwhile, Strange was PFF’s 57th-ranked guard, and only six players at the position had a lower grade (42.2) when it came to pass protection.

Will GM Joe Hortiz address the offensive front in the first round?

Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The draft is 10 days away and drafting a guard with the 22nd overall pick seems to make plenty of sense. However, it may behoove the Chargers to double their pleasure when it comes to the guard spot, and perhaps address the position in the second or third round as well.

With all due respect, Strange doesn’t appear to be a long-term solution and as of now, the team doesn’t seem very interested in adding any more available veterans.