Official 2026 Chargers News | Acquisitions | Transactions | Injuries

[powderblueboy]

Hortiz just needs to keep building the Oline and bringing in legit players! Enough of the back up Detroit OG's and journeyman Olineman to compete for starting roles.


So far looking at Slaughter and Travis, and Branson, and the two OG's we drafted in the late rounds, Hortiz seems to be getting on track. Just keep building with the right kind of players.

The loss of Biadasz will hurt, Slaughter is not there yet ....but he won't be a raw festering wound like Boze was last year.

Branson Taylor will now be very important, because he will be the first to replace Strong / Awosika should either get injured or fail: a very likely scenario.

[wu-dai clan]

Not certain where you are going with this wu-dai.

I just thought that it was it was a pointless and stupid act by Awosika, that Valdez was not at fault - not wanting to go into that direction in the first place,
and that Kayode should have known, however unlikely it might be, that there was some risk of this happening.
Do that same thing 30 times and you are going to cause some damage to someone.

No one so far has convinced me otherwise. We can agree to disagree


.

I seem to be the only one around here who was listening to Moving the Chains when this exact joint practice problem was discussed.

The convo is appreciated Sir.

[CanadianBoltFan]

The loss of Biadasz will hurt, Slaughter is not there yet ....but he won't be a raw festering wound like Boze was last year.

Branson Taylor will now be very important, because he will be the first to replace Strong / Awosika should either get injured or fail: a very likely scenario.

The loss of Biadasz will really hurt. He was expected to be the stabilizing force in the middle of the line, which btw has shown signs of being pretty leaky still in a lot of practices, including yesterday against the 49ers.

Slaughter could do ok at his natural position but he is a rookie and its not like we have premium guards beside him to make it easier.

We end up going into this season once again with major questions at interior offensive line.

At guard I have to point out that we went into last season with Zion Johnson and Mekhi Becton at guard and we all felt pretty good about that. Of course it turned out to be a disaster on the field. One that had to be fixed this off season. But to be really honest, does Kayode Awosika and Cole Strange look any better on paper?

I realize there will be better coaching and MM can help Herbert avoid pressure with play design but that is not the whole solution on having a good offensive line.

I don't mean to be pessimistic but some reality is hitting me today. Due to bad luck with Biadasz and bargain shopping at guard, we go into year 3 of Harbaugh once again holding our breath about pressure on Herbert from the interior. We have the OC and the weapons now, for once I would just like to see optimal Justin Herbert without being held back every year by the offensive line.

I think Hortiz needs to get on the phone for veteran help. If Slaughter gets hurt, or really struggles you have a small UDFA rookie center as your next option.

[Boltjolt]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Chargers/co..._are_thinking/

Rashawn Slater to CENTER?!

We have 4 Centers now on the team (Cole Strange, Spomer, Slaughter, Slater). Solid depth.
Kaltenberger on Practice squad.

Geezus.....Slater has played everywhere on the OL in his football career except OC.
I'm just going to call bullshit

[Boltjolt]

Can't listen to those guys GAC anymore. Matter of fact, I can barely listen to any of Bolt coverage podcasters, not any more! Matt Money and Lo are my only go to these days

Is why I don't waste my time with podcasts.

[The Intellectual Assassin]

Is why I don't waste my time with podcasts.

We could always start our own.

The Powder Blues:This team is going to kill me.

[Boltjolt]

Just an additional tidbit, Money and Lo also referred to Slater at Center! I don't recall who Money was quoting but according to that source, Rashawn Slater could be the best Center in the entire league!

I know, I know, separate times and separate measures 🤣

So what?,... Are they saying Harbaugh and Berry really like Burke at LT after one preseason game is backups?

And why wouldn't they move Alt there if they are going to move Slater to OC?

I smell some bullshit

[sonorajim]

The loss of Biadasz will really hurt. He was expected to be the stabilizing force in the middle of the line, which btw has shown signs of being pretty leaky still in a lot of practices, including yesterday against the 49ers.

Slaughter could do ok at his natural position but he is a rookie and its not like we have premium guards beside him to make it easier.

We end up going into this season once again with major questions at interior offensive line.

At guard I have to point out that we went into last season with Zion Johnson and Mekhi Becton at guard and we all felt pretty good about that. Of course it turned out to be a disaster on the field. One that had to be fixed this off season. But to be really honest, does Kayode Awosika and Cole Strange look any better on paper?

I realize there will be better coaching and MM can help Herbert avoid pressure with play design but that is not the whole solution on having a good offensive line.

I don't mean to be pessimistic but some reality is hitting me today. Due to bad luck with Biadasz and bargain shopping at guard, we go into year 3 of Harbaugh once again holding our breath about pressure on Herbert from the interior. We have the OC and the weapons now, for once I would just like to see optimal Justin Herbert without being held back every year by the offensive line.

I think Hortiz needs to get on the phone for veteran help. If Slaughter gets hurt, or really struggles you have a small UDFA rookie center as your next option.

Vs what Zion & Bechton played like? Hell yes. Likewise Slaughter vs Boze. Bigtime upgrade. You're leaving out the problems at OT, RB. You did mention McDaniel vs Gro. Kudos for that recognition. Truly sorry 'bout Biadasz but Chargers will kick ass in '26. ps: The solution on OL is a top LT, smart C decent OGs, RT and coaching.

[Charge!]

Geezus.....Slater has played everywhere on the OL in his football career except OC.
I'm just going to call bullshit

exactly!

If he is healthy and can play, he plays OT...... if he's still injured and cannot play he goes to IR but of course does not go to another position.... moving him to OG or C does not help if he is still injured and cannot play?

[CanadianBoltFan]

Vs what Zion & Bechton played like? Hell yes. Likewise Slaughter vs Boze. Bigtime upgrade. You're leaving out the problems at OT, RB. You did mention McDaniel vs Gro. Kudos for that recognition. Truly sorry 'bout Biadasz but Chargers will kick ass in '26.

All is not lost but offensive line is still in the category of being a question mark, that is just the reality.

Even with Strange we have to remember that James Daniels getting hurt in Miami basically saved his career and got him a contract. The guy has played 8 good games in his career basically. He was on the veteran minimum contract in Miami, signed as a back up.

[sonorajim]

All is not lost but offensive line is still in the category of being a question mark, that is just the reality.

Even with Strange we have to remember that James Daniels getting hurt in Miami basically saved his career and got him a contract. The guy has played 8 good games in his career basically. He was on the veteran minimum contract in Miami, signed as a back up.

Well sure with all the many changes there are questions. We aren't bringing back last year's OL and coaches. But if you're asking "what if....?"
Got me. I'll just believe what I see. LAC looked good vs Hou in ps, SF in joint practice. Check out SF at LAC ps tomorrow.

[electricgold]

Screw it! We lost Tyler boo hoo! We'll be fine!

Jake Slaughter is going to prove he was the best center in this draft, and going forward he's our starting future pro bowl center. Good job Hortiz for drafting this blue chip center! He'll do very well in MM's offense.