Official 2026 Chargers News | Acquisitions | Transactions | Injuries

[Whydachargers?]

Penning got $3.5m guaranteed. Pipkins got $4.575m guaranteed.
Slaughter was a 2nd round pick (4-year contract) and Burke was a 4th round pick (4-year contract).
Chargers had Awosika starting LG in OTA's.

IMO, those are signs that each one of those guys is staying. The other thing to consider... no one (legitimate) is behind Biadasz...
I think the OL slots are set: Slater, Slaughter, Biadasz, Strange, Alt are probable starters. Pipikins, Burke, Awosika, and Penning are probable depth. If Biadasz were to get hurt (we're Chargers fans afterall) then Slaughter to center... Awosika to LG.

Yeah, it's a little difficult to fully buy into the Chargers answer at the Center position considering they had Bozeman starting there the past two years. We all want Biadasz and Slaughter to be the right answer for the Center spot but who knows. And Biadasz had knee and ankle injuries at the end of the year.

[sonorajim]

Yeah, it's a little difficult to fully buy into the Chargers answer at the Center position considering they had Bozeman starting there the past two years. We all want Biadasz and Slaughter to be the right answer for the Center spot but who knows. And Biadasz had knee and ankle injuries at the end of the year.

Having had Bozeman at C makes damn near any reliable starter look great. Biadasz is in that ballpark. Better than avg, misses very few games. Huge upgrade on Boze but still human, can get dinged.
I'm not worried about Slaughter to C if the OTs are well and McD is calling plays. Our coaches love Slaughter.

[Boltnut]

Having had Bozeman at C makes damn near any reliable starter look great. Biadasz is in that ballpark. Better than avg, misses very few games. Huge upgrade on Boze but still human, can get dinged.
I'm not worried about Slaughter to C if the OTs are well and McD is calling plays. Our coaches love Slaughter.

Yep, Biadasz is an obvious upgrade at center. Should he get dinged, Slaughter would slide over to center... and be better than Bozeman or any other backup center we've had in decades. For that reason alone, Slaughter was a great pick. I am not worried about the OL... finally. Drafting Burke allows us to keep 4 OT's in case there is an injury at OT. Drafting Burke also allows us to eventually move on from Pipkins at swing tackle.

[Velo]

Having had Bozeman at C makes damn near any reliable starter look great. Biadasz is in that ballpark. Better than avg, misses very few games. Huge upgrade on Boze but still human, can get dinged.
I'm not worried about Slaughter to C if the OTs are well and McD is calling plays. Our coaches love Slaughter.

I was just watching "Money" Smith on a podcast about the OL, he didn't mention Bozeman directly he just said failure at C is what caused the OL havoc last season and won't happen again this season with Biadasz there now. I'm happy with Joe Hortiz as GM for the most part, but his faith in Bozeman was a major failure.

[Topcat]

Yeah, it's a little difficult to fully buy into the Chargers answer at the Center position considering they had Bozeman starting there the past two years. We all want Biadasz and Slaughter to be the right answer for the Center spot but who knows. And Biadasz had knee and ankle injuries at the end of the year.

Still, Biadez has been pretty durable...has hardly missed any games over the years...however, good to know we have a quality backup in Slaughter...

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[Topcat]

Yep, Biadasz is an obvious upgrade at center. Should he get dinged, Slaughter would slide over to center... and be better than Bozeman or any other backup center we've had in decades. For that reason alone, Slaughter was a great pick. I am not worried about the OL... finally. Drafting Burke allows us to keep 4 OT's in case there is an injury at OT. Drafting Burke also allows us to eventually move on from Pipkins at swing tackle.

Bolts can hold onto Pip for one more year if need be, which may be prudent just in case we have any more T woes...
(sure hope not)

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[Velo]

Bolts can hold onto Pip for one more year if need be, which may be prudent just in case we have any more T woes...
(sure hope not)

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I still find it hilarious that Pipkins has managed to survive this long on the Chargers' roster, he was one of Tommy T's most maligned picks, but here he is about to play his 8th season for the Chargers.

[Boltjolt]

I still find it hilarious that Pipkins has managed to survive this long on the Chargers' roster, he was one of Tommy T's most maligned picks, but here he is about to play his 8th season for the Chargers.

Agree, he is very average and he keeps hanging on here. Must be a great dude or something lol.

[Bolts4ever213]

Depth on the online looks better than ever. Goal line packages are going to be special. Burke and Alt next to each other with Kolar and Slater on the other side, which way are we going.

[Boltnut]

Depth on the online looks better than ever. Goal line packages are going to be special. Burke and Alt next to each other with Kolar and Slater on the other side, which way are we going.

Yeah, redzone playcalling has driven me crazy for years. You have to run the ball effectively... even with LB's closer to the LOS. At least be a threat to run. I think Kolar and Ingold will help them be more effective in the redzone. Both can also become receivers down there also.

A bid advantage if you can lineup in a formation that can both run and pass.

[sonorajim]

I was just watching "Money" Smith on a podcast about the OL, he didn't mention Bozeman directly he just said failure at C is what caused the OL havoc last season and won't happen again this season with Biadasz there now. I'm happy with Joe Hortiz as GM for the most part, but his faith in Bozeman was a major failure.

Given the fact that Hortiz is not an idiot, we know he observed Bozeman's play and knew he sucked as a blocker and at making OL adjustments.I don't think misplaced faith is the answer. Joe knew what he was getting. My guess is that being a reliable snapper put him ahead of any improvement that we could afford. Thankfully improvement at C was the #1 2026 offseason priority.
Cap issues are my guess as opposed to faith in Bozeman.

[Boltnut]

I think 21 personnel in the redzone would be very hard to combat.

Ingold, Kolar, Hampton.
Ladd and Tre Harris as your wideouts.

Fucking nightmare to defend.