In the wake of Rashawn Slater‘s season-ending knee injury, the Chargers are taking the free agent route to add offensive tackle depth. David Sharpe has a deal in place with Los Angeles, as first reported by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The move is now official, per a team announcement.
Sharpe’s last regular season action came in 2023 when he made eight appearances off the bench with the Panthers. He recently visited the Dolphins without an agreement being worked out. In the case of the Chargers, though, Slater’s absence created the need for veteran depth.
With 45 appearances to his name, Sharpe will offer experience to the Bolts provided he survives roster cuts. The 29-year-old has only made six starts in the NFL, with the most recent one coming in 2020. Los Angeles will move forward with Joe Alt filling in for Slater on the blindside with Trey Pipkins taking on a starting gig at right tackle. The team’s depth chart behind those two will be sorted out over the coming weeks.
Sharpe spent time with the Ravens in 2021 and ’22. As a result, he is a familiar face for Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. The former fourth-rounder will look to earn a swing tackle role during the remainder of the offseason.
Sharpe has rarely been attached to a contract worth more than the veteran minimum, and given his absence from regular season action in 2024 that should be expected to continue with this Bolts pact. The team entered Saturday with roughly $31.5MM in cap space, so the Sharpe addition will not impact any other moves being planned as a return to the postseason is sought out in 2025.