Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | Free Agency

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

If you go by their contracts, that would seem to indicate Bozeman is the starter and James is the backup. It will be interesting to see if James bounces back to 2023 form and wins the job.

I had been assuming that this was one of those situations where the club (Raiders) had guaranteed the contract. Which would mean if they cut James, any team signing him can do so for the league minimum, and the Raiders are responsible for the rest of what was guaranteed.

Am I wrong about this?!?

[Bolt4Knob]

If the chargers wanted to make a move they could also save money by extending slater and cutting Pip. I don't see it happening at this point though. Well try and level up in the draft and maybe sign a couple vets who were cap/camp cuts.

With respect to Slater ;- I am more concerned with the extension happening than saving cap space at this time. I just want him signed longer term. Thats the key with Slater, getting a long term deal done


As for Pipkins - he might be pricey at the 6.75 (total cap hit of 9.25 with the bonus accrual) -but since they don't need to cut him, I like him for depth

[Bolt4Knob]

If you go by their contracts, that would seem to indicate Bozeman is the starter and James is the backup. It will be interesting to see if James bounces back to 2023 form and wins the job.

Popper was on the Guilty as Charged podcast and basically its a battle with Zion, Boze and James for two spots: LG and C

Good podcast - Popper has the knowledge

[sonorajim]

Popper was on the Guilty as Charged podcast and basically its a battle with Zion, Boze and James for two spots: LG and C

Good podcast - Popper has the knowledge

I'd be surprised if Zion beats out both vet centers at C, him with no prior experience, college or pro. James and Boze fight it out for starting C.
I expect James to win C and Boze to challenge Zion at LG. Zion wins (I think) and the competition makes him better.

[electricgold]

Popper was on the Guilty as Charged podcast and basically its a battle with Zion, Boze and James for two spots: LG and C

Good podcast - Popper has the knowledge

Or we draft Grey Zabel and he's our staring LG and James is our starting OC! Don't like the thought of Boze and Zion potentially being our starters again! Why do we need to watch those two fight out anything we saw what they did last season, all season. And it wasn't good.

[Jack Burton]

I'd be surprised if Zion beats out both vet centers at C, him with no prior experience, college or pro. James and Boze fight it out for starting C.
I expect James to win C and Boze to challenge Zion at LG. Zion wins (I think) and the competition makes him better.

And they draft a G in the 5th, 6th as a developmental guy.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Or we draft Grey Zabel and he's our staring LG and James is our starting OC! Don't like the thought of Boze and Zion potentially being our starters again! Why do we need to watch those two fight out anything we saw what they did last season, all season. And it wasn't good.

Popper actually said in the podcast that the ideal thing is to add another guard in first 3 rounds, throw in Pipkins and then have 5 guys competing for 2 open spots...LG and C.

[dmac_bolt]

I had been assuming that this was one of those situations where the club (Raiders) had guaranteed the contract. Which would mean if they cut James, any team signing him can do so for the league minimum, and the Raiders are responsible for the rest of what was guaranteed.

Am I wrong about this?!?

Raiders are paying him $3.9M this year per OTC.

[Bolt4Knob]

Popper actually said in the podcast that the ideal thing is to add another guard in first 3 rounds, throw in Pipkins and then have 5 guys competing for 2 open spots...LG and C.

Popper also said that WR and TE are pretty high on the list
Not that Edge or Interior pass rush

But we all saw it - Ladd had no help

[electricgold]

Popper also said that WR and TE are pretty high on the list
Not that Edge or Interior pass rush

But we all saw it - Ladd had no help

Last year = 1. WR's and TE's couldn't get open on a consistent basis, except for Ladd. 2. Middle of the Oline play was the worst in the league. 3. RB's broke down towards the end of the season and we had no running game when the PO's started.

Now I hear Boze and Zion are going to fight it out with a OC that was cut last season to fix the middle of the oline. Way to protect Herbert.

Oline and weapons for Herbert needs to be the #1 priority going forward. period !

[Bolt4Knob]

Last year = 1. WR's and TE's couldn't get open on a consistent basis, except for Ladd. 2. Middle of the Oline play was the worst in the league. 3. RB's broke down towards the end of the season and we had no running game when the PO's started.

Yep. So on paper, have improved the OL with Becton and James potentially

RB -- Harris might be more dependable than JK though when Dobbins played, he was very good

Conklin might be better than Hurst - can't be worse

But still need WR, a true long term X - and TE

Popper had the 7 positions: WR, TE, RB, CB, IOL, Edge and IDL (pass rusher capability)

[Boltjolt]

Popper actually said in the podcast that the ideal thing is to add another guard in first 3 rounds, throw in Pipkins and then have 5 guys competing for 2 open spots...LG and C.

Pip then gets released or traded. He isn't beating anyone out at OG but I'll take a 6th rounder in 2026 for him.