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Why The Chargers Will Not Sign A Starting Offensive Lineman In Free Agency

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Chargers Offensive Line

The Los Angeles Chargers have been weirdly quiet throughout this free agency period. They have the cap space to spend freely, the contending team status and a head coach who is well respected. So why aren’t they spending money? Is there any plausible answer for that?

In short, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. But what I can tell you is why the offensive line has been completely neglected thus far in free agency and will likely continue to be neglected further in the process.

Why The Chargers Have Not Spent Any Of Their Cap Space On Offensive Line

As of the time of writing this, 3 PM PST on March 14, 2025, the Chargers have yet to sign any external player in free agency that plays across the offensive line. According to Over The Cap, the Chargers have the fourth most cap space in the NFL, with 56~ million in effective cap space.

With all of this money and hole the size of the sun on the interior offensive line, why is the “the offensive line is a weapon too” team, the Chargers, being so cheap when it comes to paying external free agents to come play for their line?

Continuity & Experience Are Valued Across The Chargers Offensive Line

This Greg Roman & Jim Harbaugh-led team values continuity across the offensive line mightily. It is believed that many of their issues across the 2024 season from the Chargers offensive line group are solvable with more reps together as a group, furthering their ability to communicate with each other. This sentiment is not shared with the fanbase.

The “tea leaves” show this is what they have or have not done thus far in this free agency period. One of the first moves the Chargers made in free agency was re-signing Center Bradley Bozeman to a two-year deal, which left Chargers fans extremely disappointed and hoping that he is still replaced.

As for the other move, or lack thereof, they did not cut Trey Pipkins III, who is being paid as a upper-echelon level guard, whilst struggling mightily in his transition from tackle to guard. By keeping those two around, coupled with noting that left guard Zion Johnson is still under his rookie contract, it seems that this interior has the fast track to run it back in 2025.

The Compensatory Pick Conversation

Another thing to note under this regime is the major importance placed on the compensatory pick process. While I am no expert in this field, a basic explanation is if your team loses more players than it gains, you will be compensated with draft picks. While there are plenty of factors to make this process much more interesting and easy to “abuse,” that is something for another day.

With this basic knowledge, it should be known that this regime under General Manager Joe Hortiz loves compensatory selections and will do anything in his power to garner as many of them as possible. This is normally a good team-building strategy as you are going to have more later-round “dart throws” at cheap, young talent in the draft. Something the Chargers should always welcome, especially across the offensive line.

To garner these selections, you must, quite frankly, be cheap in free agency and only reward your own internal free agents. Hortiz has done both thus far, furthering his beliefs in the team-building process.

This is all to say, do not expect the Chargers to go out in free agency and spend on any position, especially across the offensive line, when they feel they have a group of five that can start and only get better with more time together. The Chargers free agency process was much different under previous GM Tom Telesco, and this shift in ideology may take some time.

All we can do as fans is hope for improvement, and the idea of continuity across the offensive line will truly solve the major communication issues that were vividly apparent in all of the Chargers losses in 2024, especially their playoff crumble against the Houston Texans.

Two Offensive Linemen the Chargers Need to Target in Free Agency

Even though it is unlikely for the Chargers to go spend across the offensive line, there are still targets available. These two targets should be heavily considered and would only be welcomed by Chargers fans, especially after what they saw last season.

Teven Jenkins: The Chargers Once Again Are Letting Good Players Pass Them By

Teven Jenkins was a second-round selection in the 2021 NFL draft. He was drafted as a mauling tackle who made headlines for his aggression and ability to set the tone. The Bears’ offensive lineman’s play at tackle was not good enough, thus being moved inside to guard where he played at a high level, though missing a plethora of games due to injury.

An offensive line signing of Jenkins should be in the fold as the Chargers make so much sense due to their need, the money they have, and the playstyle. Jenkins would easily fit in this regime’s scheme, paving the way for their new running back, Najee Harris.

The only concern is his major injury history and the fact that other teams are scheduling visits with him… while the Chargers sit and do nothing.

Andre James: It Makes So Much Sense… Like Everything Else They Have Not Done

Andre James was cut by the Raiders just a few days ago. By being cut by the team, James being signed would not go against the compensatory selection formula, thus allowing a “free” player on your roster. The former Raiders center is coming off a down season, which can mostly be explained by the terrible offensive scheme he was surrounded by, which is even more reasoning for the Chargers to swoop in and buy low.

Furthermore, James fits this offensive scheme with a strong background in his run blocking ability, with a 75.0 run blocking grade in 2023 when he played under Josh McDaniels, who also runs a gap scheme.

The Chargers mentioned before re-signing Bozeman that they value guys who are healthy and available. How about a guy who’s only missed seven games since 2020? Someone who can play tackle and center? It makes too much sense for this team, especially if they want to compete.

Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports

The post Why The Chargers Will Not Sign A Starting Offensive Lineman In Free Agency appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.