Chargers Predicted to Steal Titans Free Agent Late in Process Before NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Chargers went lighter than most fans expected on the offensive line this offseason.

After last year’s mistake of doing the same thing, it was easy to think the Chargers wouldn’t do so again. The added hype of Mike McDaniel coming to town to get a new ceiling out of Justin Herbert added to things.

While it hasn’t been crickets, the Chargers made a sensible move with the Tyler Biadasz signing at center, getting out in front of the market with an upgrade. But after that, they merely added Cole Strange, a guy who can best be described as, if nothing else, a scheme fit with McDaniel.

Making the perception of the path traveled worse is the Chargers’ stubbornly sticking so close to the NFL draft’s compensatory pick process and not really making any major splashes.

But, maybe there’s a method to the madness.

Chargers predicted to sign former first-round pick Kevin Zeitler

Tennessee Titans guard Kevin Zeitler — Kevin Zeitler | Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After all, free agency still has some plug-and-play starters. They come with the risk of injury and regression, but they’re out there.

One name is Kevin Zeitler, a first-round pick all the way back in 2012 who still continues to play solid ball while flying a bit under the radar.

Case in point, he’s 36, but just ranked 13th among all guards at PFF.

He’s once again been predicted to sign with the Chargers too, this time by Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox:

“While Biadasz is a dependable starter, Zeitler would be an upgrade over Penning or Strange. Pro Football Focus graded Strange 43rd overall this past season. Penning was graded 65th overall by PFF.

Signing Zeitler might not provide a permanent fix, but it would help ensure the Chargers have one of the league's better O-lines in 2026.”

Zeitler is the type of signing the Chargers could always look to make after the draft. Getting a player of his caliber in the door alongside with a highly drafted rookie would be a nice way to pivot.

In theory, Zeitler will only have so many options. If the Chargers are smart, they will make themselves one of them, as he’s a great stop-gap solution while they take their time completely rebuilding the trenches.

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