The Official 2026 Chargers Season Discussion - (0-1)

[Xenos]

but how good can he do that, in 4 years we havent seen an ounce of starter quality play

I thought he played really well last season up until the playoff game. Before that he was inconsistent in pass protection, except when Linsley was playing next to him. It became more of an issue once Linsley disappeared and both Nugent & Devlin were not good OL coaches. His run blocking is also his best trait, which should do wonders under Barry.

[Chargers8491]

Agree with all this but the reality is we have squandered two years of Harbaugh and Herbert’s prime. We really don’t have the luxury of trying to find a “maybe decent fit” at center anymore. Or trying to experiment with a guy that maybe extrapolates to being a good starter. It needs to be an immediate plug and play guy.

IMHO, they squandered it with GRo and Devlin. Honestly, I think the oline will be fine this year. Will it top 10? Probably not but it doesn't need to be. I doubt we will see an oline performance like we did last year unless they get hit with a ton of injuries. McD has proven that he can adapt to the players vs trying to make the players adapt to his scheme. I think most are still shell shocked from last year and are just so hyper-focused on the oline which is to be expected. IMHO, the biggest upgrade to the oline as already been made with McD and Berry.

[Riverwalk]

IMHO, they squandered it with GRo and Devlin. Honestly, I think the oline will be fine this year. Will it top 10? Probably not but it doesn't need to be. I doubt we will see an oline performance like we did last year unless they get hit with a ton of injuries. McD has proven that he can adapt to the players vs trying to make the players adapt to his scheme. I think most are still shell shocked from last year and are just so hyper-focused on the oline which is to be expected. IMHO, the biggest upgrade to the oline as already been made with McD and Berry.

🎯

[Riverwalk]

I heard that same thing but the OT to OG hasn't worked out to well from what I recall. But I will hope McD and Barry give the guidance about the traits they like

DJ said Ioane would be a slam dunk at 22

Loane is the #1 ranked Guard in the draft and some the top ranked OL.

I think there’s zero chance he’s still around at 22.

[Bolt4Knob]

IMHO, they squandered it with GRo and Devlin. Honestly, I think the oline will be fine this year. Will it top 10? Probably not but it doesn't need to be. I doubt we will see an oline performance like we did last year unless they get hit with a ton of injuries. McD has proven that he can adapt to the players vs trying to make the players adapt to his scheme. I think most are still shell shocked from last year and are just so hyper-focused on the oline which is to be expected. IMHO, the biggest upgrade to the oline as already been made with McD and Berry.

I think its true that with McD and Butch the coaching. scheming will be better. But adding a better player like McGovern would be a wise way to make sure you improve. No more cheap stuff like a Cushenberry who is coming off injury

Elgton Jenkins MIGHT work if released by the Packers

As for will it be Top 10 - that should be the goal - my goal is top 14 - playoff teams

[Xenos]

I know I’ve been on the Linderbaum bandwagon for some time, but we also have to consider the long term effect of signing him to be the highest paid center in the league plus Slater’s contract and eventually Alt will reset the market too.

It’s never wrong to invest into the OL, even heavily so, but I do think we need to think a few years ahead too.

I am starting to wonder if signing a guy like McGovern plus drafting a developmental center in the 3rd round might be a better long term option.

Regardless of the center position, we NEED to come away from this draft with either Ioane (my preference) or Pregnon.

Luckily even the highest paid Center will not make anywhere close to an OT. And if they did their salary cap correctly, a lot of Slater’s cap hit will be lower when Alt’s contract is up for renewal. Which probably won’t be addressed for another two years.

[jamrock]

The pundits are saying this is a mediocre draft class. Only a few blue chippers. Hortiz will have to load up on low cost FA's and maybe a splash signing or two. On the bright side I guess it's a good year to have less draft picks

[Riverwalk]

I think its true that with McD and Butch the coaching. scheming will be better. But adding a better player like McGovern would be a wise way to make sure you improve. No more cheap stuff like a Cushenberry who is coming off injury

Elgton Jenkins MIGHT work if released by the Packers

As for will it be Top 10 - that should be the goal - my goal is top 14 - playoff teams

If Alt and Slater return and stay healthy, going from 32 to 14 is a given even with middle of the pack OL and McDaniel schemes.

Fans insisting Justin needs three more All Pro’s for IOL and another All pro backup tackle are over reacting to last years clueless OC and atypical injuries.

I went back and checked and couldn’t find any year in the last 30 that Chargers lost both offensive tackles to season ending injuries.

Folks are suffering unnecessary PTSD. It’s not going to be as hard and costly to rebuild a decent OL as some think it needs to be.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I thought he played really well last season up until the playoff game. Before that he was inconsistent in pass protection, except when Linsley was playing next to him. It became more of an issue once Linsley disappeared and both Nugent & Devlin were not good OL coaches. His run blocking is also his best trait, which should do wonders under Barry.

yes weeks 13-17 Zion was quite good

[Bolt4Knob]

If Alt and Slater return and stay healthy, going from 32 to 14 is a given even with middle of the pack OL and McDaniel schemes.

Fans insisting Justin needs three more All Pro’s for IOL and another All pro backup tackle are over reacting to last years clueless OC and atypical injuries.

I went back and checked and couldn’t find any year in the last 30 that Chargers lost both offensive tackles to season ending injuries.

Folks are suffering unnecessary PTSD. It’s not going to be as hard and costly to rebuild a decent OL as some think it needs to be.

It is not about All pros - its just about better players than Bozeman, Becton and maybe Zion. Especially Boze and Becton.

I don't know why you are afraid of paying Linderbaum? The Chargers have the cap space - they can still improve the defense as they have so much cap space and should get more if they move on from Becton , Dupree, possibly Dissly.

[CanadianBoltFan]

IMHO, they squandered it with GRo and Devlin. Honestly, I think the oline will be fine this year. Will it top 10? Probably not but it doesn't need to be. I doubt we will see an oline performance like we did last year unless they get hit with a ton of injuries. McD has proven that he can adapt to the players vs trying to make the players adapt to his scheme. I think most are still shell shocked from last year and are just so hyper-focused on the oline which is to be expected. IMHO, the biggest upgrade to the oline as already been made with McD and Berry.

The IOL has been poor for 2 straight years. Your franchise QB has been battered and his injuries are mounting. It started to affect his game late last year.

This is not the time for complacency on the o line. This is the time to be thorough and finally get it right

[CanadianBoltFan]

If Alt and Slater return and stay healthy, going from 32 to 14 is a given even with middle of the pack OL and McDaniel schemes.

Fans insisting Justin needs three more All Pro’s for IOL and another All pro backup tackle are over reacting to last years clueless OC and atypical injuries.

I went back and checked and couldn’t find any year in the last 30 that Chargers lost both offensive tackles to season ending injuries.

Folks are suffering unnecessary PTSD. It’s not going to be as hard and costly to rebuild a decent OL as some think it needs to be.

If you are going to keep trotting out this narrative, can you list some posters here that have said the Chargers need to sign 3 all pro players for the IOL, because I have not seen any.

I also don't think fans are over reacting after the o line debacle last year and the last 2 playoff games. Herbert was subjected to historical levels of hits and pressures, totally unacceptable. His injuries are mounting. We are not that far from Andrew Luck shit here.

This management as well have they have done, have failed on IOL their first 2 years. Mulligan time is over, they have to get it right...and that is not going to be cheaping out.