For the first time in a long while, there’s a sense of structure forming along the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line. After a 2024 campaign that ended in a brutal playoff loss to the Houston Texans — one that saw Justin Herbert pressured on 39% of his dropbacks and sacked four times — the need for major change was obvious. Now, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz, the trenches are beginning to take shape. But as Pro Football Focus’ Zoltán Buday recently noted in ranking the Chargers’ offensive line 10th in the NFL, it’s a tale of two halves.
The Chargers Good News: Dominant Tackles
The tackle duo of Rashawn Slater and rookie Joe Alt could soon challenge the Eagles’ vaunted bookends for best in the league. Slater, already an All-Pro, finished with a 90.9 PFF grade in 2024 — second among all offensive tackles. Alt, after a slow start, closed the season strong with a 75.9 grade and has looked sharp during OTAs.
Add to that the acquisition of former Eagles lineman Mekhi Becton, now slotted at right guard. At 6-foot-7, 363 pounds, Becton brings rare size and movement ability to the interior, and Harbaugh hasn’t been shy about his potential impact. “The run blocking is elite. Pass blocking as well, elite,” he said. That stabilizes the right side.
The Not-So-Good: A Messy Interior Picture
The center and left guard spots, however, remain unsettled — and potentially vulnerable. In a surprising twist, 2022 first-round pick Zion Johnson has been moved to center, despite never playing the position in the NFL. Harbaugh has expressed excitement, citing Johnson’s Senior Bowl experience at the position, but his play at left guard over the past two seasons hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. In fact, the Chargers declined his fifth-year option earlier this spring.
Bradley Bozeman, last year’s starting center, is now competing at left guard. Bozeman ranked 36th among all centers in 2024 and hasn’t played guard regularly since 2020. Trey Pipkins — previously a tackle turned right guard — has taken first-team reps at left guard during OTAs, though he’s never started a game there. It’s a game of musical chairs that feels more desperate than strategic.
As Buday noted, “There are question marks surrounding the interior offensive line.” And those questions are loud. While Harbaugh remains optimistic, the reality is the Chargers are counting on position switches — and bounce-back years from underwhelming players — to secure the most vulnerable part of their offense.
Postseason Scars Still Linger
The Chargers’ playoff collapse against Houston highlighted the risk of entering another season with a shaky interior. Herbert, while still among the NFL’s elite, saw his performance plummet when pressured, throwing four interceptions in that one game — more than he had all season. As Harbaugh bluntly put it afterward: “Quarterback’s got to be able to finish a throwing motion… we didn’t put him in the position to do that enough.”
Despite having one of the league’s largest cap spaces this offseason, the Chargers didn’t aggressively overhaul the offensive line. Beyond Becton, they added only former Raiders center Andre James and drafted tackle Branson Taylor in the sixth round, who is expected to compete at guard.
High Ceiling, Low Floor
Harbaugh and Hortiz insist they’re comfortable with the current group. “Love the guys that are already here,” Hortiz said after the draft. But with Herbert’s health and effectiveness tied directly to his protection, “pretty good” from last year won’t be enough — especially in an AFC loaded with pass-rush talent.
The tackles are a legitimate strength. But unless the interior trio proves more than just “good enough,” the 2025 Chargers may find themselves once again undone by what happens between the numbers.
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s Los Angeles Chargers YouTube Channel