Currently sitting with a 7-3 record with the projected 6th seed in the playoffs, it’s been a tumultuous 2025 season for the Los Angeles Chargers so far. Led by franchise quarterback Justin Herbert, the Bolts have taken down major powerhouses such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. They’ve also lost games in embarrassing fashion against a New York Giants team led by rookie signal-caller Jaxon Dart as well as the Jacksonville Jaguars. Â
Level Of Play From The Offensive Line
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The inconsistency in their level of play has largely stemmed from their offensive line. Through the first 11 weeks of the season, they’ve given up the second-most sacks in the NFL at 37 sacks. On a play-by-play basis, that puts them at 25th across 32 teams in the league with a sack percentage of 8.13%. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the position group as a whole ranked as the 29th-best offensive line with a grade of 61.5. Left guard Zion Johnson leads the group with a 76.8 (26th at position), while OT Austin Deculus 52.8 (68th at position).
Injuries To The Chargers
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Ravaged by injuries, it’s been a carousel of players getting plugged in and out of the lineup. They were already without star blindside protector Rahsawn Slater, who tore his patellar tendon over the summer, fresh off signing a four-year $114 million contract, becoming the highest-paid offensive lineman on an annual basis at $28.5 million. On top of that, they’ve also lost rising phenom Joe Alt at left tackle for the season to a high ankle sprain, while big-ticket free agent signing right guard Mekhi Becton has dealt with a plethora of injuries, only playing on 69% (418) of the offensive snaps.
Reinforcements May Not Be Enough
To their credit, the front office, led by general manager Joe Hortiz, has been proactive in solving this issue. In particular, the Chargers traded for OT Trevor Penning from the New Orleans Saints for a 2027 6th-round pick at the trade deadline two weeks ago. However, he had an extremely rough debut this past Sunday, eventually getting benched for OT Austin Deculus, and was the worst graded Chargers player at 46.3.
With eight different offensive line combinations thus far in the season, it’s really put a huge detriment to the group’s chemistry and ability to protect Herbert as a whole.
Despite this, Herbert has proved himself to be elite under center despite the porous protection. He currently ranks second in passing yards with 2691 and rushing yards by a QB with 345, respectively.
If this group can show some type of semblance, it just might keep the Chargers quarterback from being hospitalized by opposing defenses.
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