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While many starting spots are locked up before the Chargers take the field, here are a few that will be contested throughout the next month.
The Chargers officially begin training camp Wednesday with their first practice of the season.
With two new coordinators in Costa Mesa, things could look much different than they did last season as LA looks to finally turn a talented roster on paper into a legitimate contender.
While many starting spots are locked up before the Chargers take the field, here are a few that will be hotly contested throughout the next month.
Spotlighting five offensive players to keep an eye on for the Chargers when they take on the Rams.
The Chargers roster will begin to take shape this Saturday when the preseason kicks off against the Rams.
Here are five players on the offensive side of the ball who could help their case for a final roster spot.
Brandon Staley gave Stick rave reviews for his development as a pure passer this offseason after LA’s intrasquad scrimmage. Stick was then named the co-backup quarterback with Chase Daniel on the unofficial depth chart. The roster is tighter than ever and keeping only two quarterbacks would open a much-needed spot for talent elsewhere, but it sounds like Stick will make it hard for the team to do anything except keep three. I doubt he’ll end up winning the QB2 role over Daniel, but I do want to see this purported passing development in the preseason.
Listed as the third running back on the unofficial depth chart, Rountree needs a strong preseason, especially with Isaiah Spiller listed as RB4. Joshua Kelley has taken the most noticeable step up in training camp so far, and Spiller will have a sizable role even if he’s not the bona fide RB2. With a fullback on the roster, keeping only 3 RBs would probably be ideal. That leaves Rountree as the odd man out. He’s struggled with fumbles so far in training camp and roster spots are tight. He does add value on special teams as a first-teamer there, but a poor preseason could lose him a final roster spot.
It was a bit of a surprise to see Horvath listed ahead of Gabe Nabers as the co-starters at fullback, but it seems like from the rest of the depth chart that the reason for that is alphabetical order more than anything else. Still, the rookie has shown a much more versatile skill set than Nabers thus far. Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken has said Horvath’s experience at linebacker in college will be a help in that area and he’s flashed surprising receiving ability. It’s still a fierce competition, but all signs point to Horvath gaining a lead now that pads have come on. Can he keep it going in live game action?
The Chargers have kept four tight ends each of the last few years, but the numbers of the current roster make it difficult to find room for a fourth one this season. Gerald Everett, Donald Parham, and Tre’ McKitty are all safe. But McKitty is also listed as the backup fullback, which seems to suggest he’ll be taking over Stephen Anderson’s H-back role from last season. That could maybe leave room for a fourth tight end, and Kampmoyer has been by far the best one. He’s also a starter on the kickoff team, which makes it sound like he’s closer to earning a roster spot than not. How he plays at his natural position in the preseason will likely make the decision for everyone.
I don’t think Jaimes is at risk of missing the team, but I do think he’s the ninth offensive linemen at this point. Will Clapp is your backup center. The loser of the right tackle competition will be the swing tackle. Jamaree Salyer has all but locked down the swing guard spot. Jaimes has guard/tackle versatility, and the staff still seems high on his developmental potential. But Ryan Hunter has arguably outperformed him this preseason and could push for that OL9 spot. There is some concern about the depth along the interior offensive line, so a strong preseason from Jaimes could assuage some concerns. If not, we could discuss the offensive line as a depth need when next year’s draft rolls around.
Taking a crack at projecting what the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line room will look like in the 2022 season.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will break down the depth chart for each Chargers position.
Today, the focus is on how the offensive line will look heading into 2022.
Slater was phenomenal as a rookie, earning a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team, a Pro Bowl selection, and second-team All-Pro. His 83.6 overall PFF grade was 8th best in the league among tackles, just behind three-time All-Pro Ryan Ramczyk. Barring injury, the second-year pro should once again excel while protecting Justin Herbert’s blindside and could be in the conversation as one of the best five tackles in the entire league.
Despite some fans clamoring for Feiler to move to right tackle, he seems firmly entrenched at left guard, where he produced the 12th highest overall PFF grade in the league a season ago. The former Steeler was originally placed on the left side to help aid Slater’s transition to the pros, a move that paid off and then some. Heading into year two as a Charger, he and Slater will continue to pave the way for Austin Ekeler, who saw his efficiency spike on runs to the left side in 2021.
Ranked as the NFL’s best center by PFF analyst Ben Linsey in May, Linsley actually had the platform’s second-best grade at center in 2021. (Chiefs center Creed Humphrey was first.) Regardless, GM Tom Telesco’s decision to shell out big bucks for the former Packer has already proven to be a genius move, as Linsley has held together a developing line in front of Herbert. Center is widely considered the most important position on the offensive line, and having an experienced and elite one as the Chargers do should help propel them to offensive success.
Finally, we get to a new starter. Johnson replaces Oday Aboushi, who played well before tearing his ACL in October, and Michael Schofield, who was signed off the street in September because of his familiarity with the Chargers. Schofield was actually fairly effective in 2021 according to PFF, who ranked him tied for 39th in overall grade amongst guards, with the same grade as 2021 first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker. That Johnson is replacing him is less an indictment on Schofield and more a vote of confidence from the team in the Boston College product, who the Chargers made the 17th overall pick this April. While he likely won’t make a Slater-like impact in his rookie year, he should be an effective all-around player who will be NFL-ready from his first snap.
The most pressing question of the Chargers’ offseason has been the plan at right tackle. After watching free agency go by without an addition despite a few value propositions available, the team then neglected to draft a tackle at all, unless you count Georgia’s Jamaree Salyer, who played left tackle in college but will likely be an interior lineman in the NFL. Both privately and publicly, the team has always maintained that they had faith in their in-house options: 2021 starter Storm Norton and 2019 third-rounder Pipkins. The latter is currently my favorite to win the job, following an offseason which he spent working with acclaimed offensive line coach Duke Manyweather. Pipkins was always a developmental selection as a former Division II athlete, and 2022 will likely be his chance to prove that he was worth the selection.
Speaking of Norton, the belief in the building has long been that the loser of the training camp battle at right tackle will become the swing tackle, hence Norton’s placement here. The former XFL player actually wasn’t a terrible run blocker a season ago per Pro Football Focus’ metrics, but he frequently looked out of his depth as a pass protector. Considering the work teams in the AFC have done this offseason to combine two lethal pass rushers, the proposition of trotting Norton out there to get flattened by the likes of Chandler Jones or Randy Gregory seems suboptimal. However, his run-blocking proclivities will make him a decent swing tackle piece.
The projection here ultimately comes down to whether you think Jaimes or sixth-rounder Jamaree Salyer will be the primary backup at guard. I lean Jaimes primarily because I think the Chargers staff will treat Salyer the same way they did Jaimes a season ago: cross-train him up and down the line and use his rookie season as effectively a redshirt. A fifth-round pick in 2021, Jaimes played tackle at Nebraska but mostly worked at guard with a few reps at center over the course of his rookie season.
Clapp has experience playing for new offensive line coach Brenden Nugent, who came to the Chargers from the Saints, where Clapp had spent his entire career until this offseason. While he also has experience at both guard spots, he’s the most proven center not named Corey Linsley on the Chargers roster. Zion Johnson only learned how to play center at the Senior Bowl in February because of injuries to other players, while Jaimes and Salyer have little live experience at the position if any. Rather than move Johnson over and elevate a guard into the starting lineup if Linsley is forced to miss time, it seems much more logical to have Clapp step in and weather the storm.
The Chargers could be without the rookie sensation against the Chiefs.
The Chargers could be without rookie sensation Rashawn Slater when they take on the Chiefs on Thursday night.
Slater tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, putting his availability in doubt.
Despite there being a chance of him still playing if he posts two negative tests 24 hours apart, Los Angeles is preparing for the worst-case scenario.
If Slater is ruled out, the Bolts will start third-year Trey Pipkins at left tackle.
At the team’s walkthrough on Tuesday, Pipkins lined up with the first team, Joe Lombardi said at media availability.
Pipkins has made eight starts, with five of them coming last season. He allowed 15 pressures, six quarterback hits, and four sacks in the four games at left tackle.
Brandon Staley was asked about the possibility of Matt Feiler or Brenden Jaimes playing left tackle.
Staley tabbed Feiler to left tackle as an option, but not the primary option, while Jaimes filling in as the blindside blocker would be an emergency option.
The Chargers could be without their starting right guard.
According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Chargers believe right guard Oday Aboushi tore his ACL in Week 5 against the Browns based on the initial exam.
The plan is for him to undergo more tests tomorrow, but from the initial diagnostic, the remainder of Aboushi’s season will likely be over.
Aboushi sustained the injury and left the game midway through the first quarter, and it was Michael Schofield who filled the void.
Signed this past offseason, Aboushi was a vital piece of the revamped offensive line. In 293 snaps, he only allowed five pressures and did not surrender a single sack.
If Aboushi does have to miss the rest of the year, Los Angeles could replace him with Schofield, who fared well against Cleveland. Or, the team could consider rookie Brenden Jaimes.
No matter the team’s route, L.A. should strongly consider signing a free agent because the depth up front is lacking.
Joe Bosa is active.
The Los Angeles Chargers are about to battle it out with the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC West showdown.
Here is a look at their inactives today:
Easton Stick
Chris Harris Jr.
Joshua Kelley
Amen Ogbongbemiga
Brenden Jaimes
Tre’ McKitty
Justin Jones
After being listed as questionable with a foot and ankle injury, edge defender Joey Bosa will play today.
Identifying both short and long-term solutions to the right tackle position for the Chargers.
Chargers offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga was on a clear path to a fresh start after spending the majority of his first season in the blue and gold on the sidelines. Unfortunately, that did not come to fruition.
On Friday, the team announced that Bulaga is headed to the injured reserve. This came after he sustained a back injury in the season opener against Washington, which he only managed to play two quarters.
Bulaga is eligible to return in three weeks but given the fact that he only managed to play about 38% of the snaps last season due to multiple injuries, including his back, there is serious concern over the longevity of his health.
What does this mean for the right tackle spot in the time being?
Heading into the season, Storm Norton was named the primary swing tackle. After Bulaga left the game in Week 1, Norton filled in and held his own against reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Chase Young.
Los Angeles signed Michael Schofield in correspondence to Bulaga being placed on the injured reserve. Schofield was the Bolts’ starting right guard in 2018 and 2019.
While his playing time with the Chargers came on the interior, Schofield has the ability to play tackle, as he started 13 games there during his time with the Broncos.
Matt Feiler, who is currently the starting left guard, can kick outside. The same goes for rookie Brenden Jaimes, who is listed as a guard on the depth chart, but all of his collegiate snaps came at tackle.
Trey Pipkins has logged playing time at both tackle spots.
There are a few options how the team can go about filling the void, but the likeliest out of all of them is Norton starting, especially after holding his own against one of the top pass rushers last weekend.
What does this mean for Bulaga and his future with the Bolts?
Bulaga signed a three-year, $30 million contract last year with the hopes of supplying sustainability at the position in the time being. But considering how his tenure with the team has played out, cutting him and saving $11 million against the cap next year is a strong possibility.
The Chargers could look to address the right tackle position early in next year’s draft if they release Bulaga. Players that intrigue me in the early phase of the season include Penn State’s Nicholas Petit-Frere, Kentucky’s Darian Kinnard, Minnesota’s Daniel Faalele and Washington State’s Abraham Lucas.
Highlighting 10 Chargers players who stood out during the three-game preseason slate.
The Chargers concluded their 2021 preseason with a loss to the Seahawks on Saturday night. They are now hard at work to determine the 53 players that will go into Week 1 of the regular season.
Quite a few players made their case for a starting spot, depth role or just the rights to remain on the team. Here’s a look at the 10 biggest stars from the past month of preseason action.
The Chargers’ fifth-round pick looked comfortable inside at guard.
With the Chargers’ starting offensive linemen sidelined in the preseason opener against the Rams except rookie Rashawn Slater, it gave the backups a chance to prove themselves.
Fifth round pick Brenden Jaimes was one who took advantage of his time on the field Saturday night.
After primarily playing tackle during his collegiate career at Nebraska, Jaimes kicked inside to guard for his NFL debut, where he looked like a natural at the position.
With the 49 snaps that he played, the second-most by any offensive player, Jaimes provided a huge surge in the running game and used his lower-body athleticism, efficient hand usage and high football IQ to keep interior rushers at bay, only allowing one quarterback pressure.
“Brenden, I think, has done really well on the O-line,” head coach Brandon Staley said. “I think that he had a really nice night last week, teaming up with Rashawn on that left side.”
While Jaimes only played guard against the Rams, the coaches are still planning on taking advantage of his experience at protecting the edges by viewing him as an appealing swing tackle if any of the starters had to miss time.
Rashawn Slater and Brenden Jaimes – my wordddd! Big 10 rookie OLs unite!
3 Tech = Displaced. pic.twitter.com/HVjyBRlL1f
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) August 16, 2021
Highlighting the Chargers players who helped and hurt their stocks in the preseason opener.
The Chargers kicked off their 2021 preseason slate with a 13-6 victory over the Rams on Saturday night.
In games like this, the scoreboard is irrelevant and it’s the individual performances that matter the most.
Here are the best and worst outings that I saw:
