The Los Angeles Chargers have many roster problems to solve this offseason in order to build on the success of their first year under the Jim Harbaugh-led regime.
A paramount offseason priority for the Chargers lies in upgrading their interior offensive line.
Coach Jim Harbaugh has consistently emphasized the importance of a dominant rushing attack throughout his coaching career, a philosophy that was evident during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, where his offenses consistently ranked among the league leaders in rushing yards per game.
While the Chargers’ rushing attack demonstrated some improvement this season, it still ranked 17th in the NFL with an average of 110.7 yards per game. This underperformance can be attributed to the inconsistent performance of the interior offensive line in sustaining blocks and creating running lanes.
Los Angeles Chargers Expected To Target High-End IOL In Free Agency
This is something that Ben Solak recognized when ESPN attempted to prescribe off-season plans for all 32 teams.
“The Chargers stayed true to the Harbaugh way by investing in the offensive line at the top of the 2024 draft, and they’ll stay the course in 2025, even if it means neglecting the wide receiver room again,” Solak writes. “They will pursue a potential long-term starter at guard with a strong run-blocking background. Will Hernandez, Mekhi Becton, and Aaron Banks all make sense as free agent targets.”
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As Solak points out, the ‘Harbaugh way’ is to build from the offensive and defensive fronts. This was evidenced by prioritizing right tackle, Joe Alt in the 2024 draft over offensive weapons like Brock Bowers and Malik Nabers.
This points out another truth about the 2025 Chargers free agency, which is the incredible investment the team has already made in the position. Three of the last four first-round picks have been on the line. They have the 17th most expensive unit in the league, which doesn’t look bad on paper until accounting for the fact that two players are still on rookie contracts.
The assessment isn’t incorrect, but it does highlight the importance that the Chargers finally solidify protection for their most important player, Justin Herbert, immediately. Picking up a proven commodity rather than throwing another first-rounder at the problem seems like the smarter tack.
The Chargers free agency will be fueled by a large amount of cap space, so signing one of the three will certainly be on the table. But they will also have to address, tight end, running back, wide receiver with season, not to mention rebuild nearly all of the defense.