The Chargers not only added two proven players to the offensive line earlier this offseason in guard Trai Turner and tackle Bryan Bulaga. The team added a proven mentor for the unit, hiring offensive line coach James Campen.
Los Angeles’ offensive line finished as one of the worst groups in the league in 2019, but the team is hoping that the arrival of Campen might be the turning point.
Campen, who spent 15 seasons with the Packers, worked with primarily middle and late-round draft selections. But he turned the majority of them into Pro Bowlers and All-Pro selections.
Campen gave credit to the scouting departments for finding “late-round gems” along the offensive line rather than his ability to develop them.
Among the crop is tackle Trey Pipkins, last year’s third-round pick. After the departure of Russell Okung, Pipkins will have the opportunity to win the starting left tackle job.
Campen said he’s watched tape on Pipkins dating back training camp last summer. “He’s a very intelligent young man. He gets what you’re asking him to do. I think he has a lot of potential.”
Pipkins was forced into the action last season when Okung was sidelined. In the games he played, he did experience some growing pains, but he also flashed as a solid blindside blocker.
Campen mentioned that he has a plan for the former Sioux Falls product.
Even though the expectation is that Pipkins will be the starting left tackle going into the season, there will be other players in contention, consisting of Sam Tevi, Forrest Lamp, Trent Scott and Storm Norton.
Campen said it’s the most-discussed position of the offseason. “There are options there. There is a lot of good candidates that have a lot of the athletic traits you want at left tackle.”
Campen is referring to the options currently on the team, but didn’t touch up on potential free agent options that they could look to bring in, including Jason Peters, who still remains on the market.
Other than left tackle being the mystery along the offensive line, the rest of the group looks solidified for the most part.
Center Mike Pouncey will play in 2020 after being medically cleared on Wednesday, and the acquisitions of Bulaga and Turner will provide a huge upgrade on the right side. Dan Feeney has had the left guard spot locked up for the past couple of years now.
Campen has familiarity with Bulaga having spent a decade with him, and he has done a lot of work on Turner. He called them leaders. “They are what you want from an offensive lineman.”
The Chargers are hopeful that a combination of Campen’s coaching and a new offensive scheme will benefit an offensive line that has been a weak part of the team for years now.