The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off a disastrous loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs and are looking toward the 2025 season for redemption. With that, their season-ending press conference occurred on January 15th, 2025. Looking forward to next season, topics of Chargers free agent additions and retentions were loitered throughout the media discussion.
One of the most controversial subjects was General Manager, Joe Hortiz’s comments on Chargers 2024 signee and starting center, Bradley Bozeman.
Chargers Likely to Bring Back Controversial Veteran Starter
In the aforementioned press conference, Hortiz was asked about the center position, as it was a hot topic amongst Chargers fans throughout the entire season. His response was surprising.
Hortiz was quoted saying “He did a heck of a job. And I think one thing that always really stands out in my mind sometimes a little bit more than other things is he played 18 games…played the most snaps on offense.”
He then follows that statement up with “Want guys like that back.”
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh on Bradley Bozeman: “He did a heck of a job. And I think one thing that always really stands out in my mind sometimes a little bit more than other things is he played 18 games…played the most snaps on offense.”
“Want guys like that back.”
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) January 16, 2025
Chargers fans were unhappy with this answer, as many have been looking to replace Bozeman since the early part of the season. Fans are still looking towards free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft as the perfect time to find an upgrade at Center. With that door likely being shut, reviewing his 2024 season to project how he will perform in 2025 is the next step.
Bradley Bozeman’s Play in 2024 Allowed This Statement to be Controversial
Articles speaking on the offensive line struggles always pointed towards the interior as the issue. This is because the group had a lack of communication, awareness a lack of continuity that led to plenty of struggles.
Updated in-game pass blocking grades:
13.8 – Trey Pipkins III
— All-22 (@All22_PFF) December 20, 2024
Bradley Bozeman, being the center and the guy with the most years of experience in his NFL career, was looked at as the veteran leader of the failing group.
Bozeman was a great leader in the meetings and in the locker room for this Chargers team, by all accounts. Unfortunately, his play on the field coupled with the lack of performance from the guards on each side of his hip, made his impact overall arguably could be more negative than positive.
The impending Chargers free agent’s highlight of the 2024 season was his defending superstar quarterback Justin Herbert after a dirty hit.
Saints lineman tries to rip Justin Herbert’s leg clean off.
Bradley Bozeman dispenses some summary justice pic.twitter.com/TqsWEqq23r
— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) October 27, 2024
He added in the locker room after “it was probably one of the dirtier plays I’ve ever seen… Protect your quarterback no matter what.” While this showed his heart and love for his quarterback, allowing Herbert to get hit over and over during the season does not scream he should be a priority Chargers free agent re-signee.
At 30 years old, Bozeman likely has another year left in the tank, but his decline over the years coupled with his contract being up should have given the Chargers the want to look in another direction.
Bradley Bozeman – A Positive Outlook
The hopeful scenario for Hortiz’s 2025 off-season plan is to bring in competition and/or a young draft selection to replace Bozeman after his 2025 season.
Keeping the impending Chargers free agent around for 2025 would allow major cap flexibility for other positions on the roster, as Bozeman was playing on the veteran minimum salary and it would be very unlikely for him to re-sign for anything much more than that.
The last positive of allowing Bozeman to be the Chargers starter in 2025, is that he will continue to build continuity with Zion Johnson and Herbert. The other starting guard, Trey Pipkins is likely to be cut during the off-season, but having another year to gain chemistry with your left guard and quarterback is always a good thing.
Hortiz has a great track record thus far as a general manager, so if he says Bozeman should come back, who are we to say he should not? However, this will not stop the fan negativity due to his poor performance in 2024. Only time will tell to see what really happens and what was just coach/front office speak.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
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