Dan Wolkenstien and Jake Hefner of the LA Football Network and hosts of the Chargers Unleashed podcast were on hand at the Los Angeles Chargers facilities for new tight ends coach, Andy Bischoff’s introductory press conference. Bischoff doubled down on what has been communicated and reiterated by the coaching staff and their team building this offseason; ‘This is going to be an o-line centric building.’
What makes this statement indicative of how business will be run in the Chargers building is it came, not from an offensive line coach, but from the tight ends coach.
The Chargers added not one but two blocking tight ends in free agency, Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst. Dissly particularly will be used as a blocker, 61 percent of his snaps last year were as a run or pass blocker. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if that percentage went up even more.
The Chargers have already started addressing the glaring holes along the offensive line by adding Bradley Bozeman to take over for Corey Linsley/ Will Clapp at center.
Los Angeles Chargers: O-Line Centric Building
Bischoff went on to describe what it means to have an offensive line-centric building.
When it comes to our strength program, it’s built around the O line. Everybody else fall in line. Some people don’t value offensive linemen. We do. That will be shown in how we approach everything. From how we stretch, to how we lift, to how we run the ball, to how we protect [the quarterback]. This is a place where O linemen are gonna want to come and play because it’s an O-line centric space. Where we’re gonna raise these guys up and make them feel great about what they do and what they have to offer and not push them to the side and make them the afterthought. They are at the forefront of our thinking.
Does This Seal An OL In The 2024 Draft?
Even before Keenan Allen was traded and Mike Williams was cut, many believed that the Chargers would be taking a pass catcher with the 5th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. While this certainly doesn’t put a nail in the coffin, it certainly points toward the Chargers prioritizing a right guard or tackle in the draft.
Los Angeles Chargers Meet With Top Wide Receiver Prospect Ahead Of 2024 NFL Draft
Some mock drafters have the Chargers trading back, for instance, with the Minnesota Vikings, who currently possess the 11th and 23rd pick in the first round. In that case, the Chargers could add both a pass catcher and an offensive lineman in the first round.
Think The Los Angeles Chargers Will Definitely Draft A WR With Pick 5? Think Again.
As a reminder, as if you haven’t caught on at this point, Jim Harbaugh and this Chargers coaching staff are in lockstep with this philosophy. They will prioritize the offensive line now and going forward. And the same goes for the defensive line.
