The Chargers are locked in with Rashawn Slater and Bryan Bulaga as the starting tackles. But for a position group that has had bad luck with injuries, the next man up is just as important.
Heading into the 2021 season, it’s second-year Storm Norton who will be the primary swing tackle, according to Brandon Staley. Staley mentioned how pleased the staff has been with Norton’s development.
The swing tackle is the first-backup offensive lineman who can fill in at both left and right tackle if needed.
Joe Lombardi added that Norton is the preferred option at right tackle if Bulaga, who missed time last season, is out as opposed to moving Matt Feiler from guard outside and starting rookie Brenden Jaimes.
The decision to name Norton the team’s swing tackle comes after the summer in which he outperformed Trey Pipkins.
Pipkins, the former third-round selection, entered training camp with the expectation that he was going to take a step forward, but he had his fair of struggles in the preseason.
Staley admitted that he will need to improve, but Pipkins gives them depth at that position that they feel they’ll need moving forward.