Tag: Corey Linsley

Chargers sign OL Bradley Bozeman

The Chargers fill a void at center.

The Chargers are signing offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman.

With Corey Linsley headed toward retirement due to medical issues, Los Angeles needed a starting center. Bozeman will fill that void.

The Bolts are emphasizing the running game, and Bozeman’s strength is paving the way on the ground. His 71.6 run-blocking grade since 2021 is 11th among all Centers over that period.

Selected by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft, Bozeman started 49 games across four seasons, with most being at left guard.

Bozeman joined the Panthers ahead of the 2022 season, and he re-signed with the team on a three-year, $18 million contract last offseason. He started 28 of his 34 appearances.

This past season, Bozeman was chosen as the Panthers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee.

Chargers rework Corey Linsley’s contract

Corey Linsley said there is a “99% chance” that he would retire this offseason.

Chargers center Corey Linsley has agreed to a restructured contract to lower his base salary for the 2024 season, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

Linsley was previously set to make $11.5 million. The move creates $10.29 in cap space, putting them at $35 million over the cap.

Linsley said there is a “99% chance” that he would retire this offseason due to a medical issue.

Retirements are like cuts, so this allows Los Angeles to wait until after June 1 to process his retirement and spread out the dead money while being able to use the cap space before that date.

Linsley was diagnosed with a non-emergent heart issue during the 2023 season and missed most of it as a result. He signed a five-year deal to join the Chargers in 2021, the same year he was a second-team All-Pro.

Chargers’ Corey Linsley leaning towards retirement

As the Chargers head into the offseason, the likely retirement of Corey Linsley is one of the first dominoes to fall.

At the Chargers’ locker room clean out on Monday, center Corey Linsley admitted that retirement is under consideration. While he’s appreciated his lengthy NFL career, the 10-year NFL veteran says there is a “99%” chance that he will retire.

Linsley missed 14 games after being diagnosed with a non-emergent heart condition before Week 4’s contest against the Raiders. He transitioned to what could effectively be described as a coaching role in offensive line meetings for the rest of the season, even going as far as breaking down tape packages for each of the Chargers’ offensive linemen.

In 2021, Linsley was signed to a five-year, $62.5 million contract by the Chargers in an effort to rebuild their offensive line. At the time, it was the largest AAV contract for a center in NFL history. He was a Pro Bowler in his first season with Los Angeles and also kept up his high-level play in 2022.

The retirement of Linsley would save the Chargers approximately $9 million against the 2024 cap. However, it would also open up an All-Pro level hole in the Bolts’ offensive line. Los Angeles would likely have to look towards the draft or free agency for his replacement. Will Clapp is a free agent, while center Brenden Jaimes is entering the final season of his rookie deal.

As the Chargers head into the offseason, the likely retirement of Linsley is one of the first dominoes to fall in the construction of the 2024 roster.

Chargers’ Brenden Jaimes readies for first NFL start

The Chargers are down to their third center.

Brenden Jaimes is preparing for his first NFL start this Saturday against the Bills.

Jaimes will be the starting center going forward after Will Clapp was placed on injured reserve this week.

“I would say I’m more anxious just to get out there, play a full game and show what I can do,” Jaimes said, per the team’s official website. “More so excitement than anything. It’s been a dream of mine to do this and now that it’s finally here, I’m super excited for the opportunity.

After Clapp went down last Thursday against the Raiders, Jaimes came in and played 23 snaps. In 11 pass-blocking snaps, he did not allow a single quarterback pressure.

Jaimes, a 2021 fifth-round pick, has appeared in 34 games. He is a former tackle at Nebraska with 40 consecutive starts, and he also has experience at guard.

“It really makes me appreciate every position now that I’ve played pretty much every position on the O-Line,” Jaimes said. “Being able to play center, I kind know what everybody is going through. I know when to help who, when to help someone if they have this look or if this look is happening then I need to give help to this guy because it’s difficult.

“Just gives me a greater appreciation for everybody who’s on the field with me,” Jaimes added. “It’s funny because I started playing center when I was a little kid and now it’s full circle because I’m at the highest-level playing center. Definitely blessed to be in this position and super excited of playing Saturday.”

As Jaimes is set to enter the fourth season of his pro career in 2024, these reps in the final three games will serve him well as he could show that he’s a viable swing option with the ability to start in a pinch.

“It’s something that he’s waited on for a while here,” Kellen Moore said. He’s earned this opportunity just from continuing to be patient, continuing to develop as a center. He hopped in there this past game. He’ll finish this season off the right way.”

Kellen Moore on Chargers offense: ‘A work in progress’

The Chargers offense has been uneven this season.

When Kellen Moore was hired, the thought was that he would take the Chargers offense to another level. The team is midway through the season, and it has yet to transpire completely.

Specifically, Los Angeles wanted to be more explosive in the passing game and run the ball more efficiently. However, there have not been a lot of shots down the field from Justin Herbert and the running game has been stagnant.

Moore’s offense has only scored two second-half touchdowns in the past five games. His unit ranks 26th in second-half offense.

“It’s a work in progress,” Moore said. “You go through ebbs and flows and you have a few guys go down, navigate some different roles and we would certainly love to play better. It’ll happen over time. We will get better.”

There are some factors in the offense’s inability to be at its full potential, starting with Herbert breaking the middle finger on his non-throwing left hand during the Week 4 game against the Raiders. Since then, he has worn a splint on it, which has hindered him to a certain extent.

Along the offensive line, Corey Linsley has been out with a heart issue. Will Clapp, Linsley’s replacement, has struggled. Herbert has been sacked five times in two of the past three games. Linsley’s absence has negatively impacted the group as a whole, and the consistent pressure has given Herbert little time to throw.

At wide receiver, the Chargers have been without Mike Williams, who suffered a torn ACL against the Vikings in Week 3. Joshua Palmer, who is on injured reserve with a sprained knee, will be out for at least the next three games. Quentin Johnston has shown flashes but has yet to play to his first-round billing.

Furthermore, they have lacked blocking production from the tight end position since the start of the season.

“We are where we are right now. I think that this group is still figuring it out together, but I like the group that we are coaching and I like the way this group’s competing,” Brandon Staley said.

As Los Angeles gets into the second half of the season, they need to quickly figure out the offense if they want to find themselves in the playoffs again.

Brandon Staley on Corey Linsley: ‘He’s helping our team out in a new way’

Brandon Staley made it clear that Corey Linsley won’t be back soon.

Chargers’ center Corey Linsley has been on the injured reserve for about a month following the discovery of a non-emergent heart issue. While he’d technically be eligible to return to the team as he approaches the fourth week of his IR stint, Brandon Staley made it clear that Linsley won’t be back soon.

Will Clapp has played in relief of Linsley now for four games. The results have been a mixed bag. Clapp has graded lower on PFF’s individual Chargers’ grades in the last few games as the pressure numbers have increased. But clearly, there are not many players that could replicate Linsley’s Pro Bowl-level production in general at the position. Midseason line changes aren’t necessarily the easiest to navigate either.

While the full extent of Linsley’s heart condition is not known, it was evident from the beginning that his return was not imminent. JT Woods also remains on the teams’ NFI list with an illness but was seen at the team facility recently.

Unless LA opts for some free-agent signing or shifts the names on their offensive line around a bit, it does seem that Clapp is the center for the foreseeable future. Per Staley’s comments, hopefully, Linsley is still involved with the day-to-day for the rest of the offensive line room. His impact in that regard could prove valuable.

Chargers’ causes for concern vs. Chiefs

Here are four reasons to worry that the Chargers will drop to 2-4.

After a Week 1 loss to the Lions, the Chiefs have gotten back to their winning ways and now enter Week 7 at 5-1. The Chargers will look to halt that momentum on Sunday but will have to do so on the road in Kansas City.

Here are four reasons to worry that LA will drop to 2-4 instead.

Studs and duds from the Chargers’ loss to Cowboys

Before moving on to the Chiefs, let’s reflect on some of the performances from Monday Night Football.

The Chargers missed a huge opportunity to go over .500 on the season after a crushing primetime loss to Dallas. With multiple opportunities to take the lead or tie in the second half, LA’s offense faltered for various reasons.

Unfortunately, the schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Chargers. They head to Arrowhead Stadium next week to play the Chiefs. A loss would send them again to two games below .500 this season.

Before Kansas City, let’s reflect on some of the performances from Monday Night Football.

Stud: WR Keenan Allen

Keenan Allen was among the few bright spots in an otherwise disastrous Chargers’ offense performance. Allen had 85 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. Had Justin Herbert not missed two deep shots where Allen got open, Allen might’ve had production that rivaled his 200+ yard performance against Minnesota.

An 87.8 PFF offensive score is Allen’s highest graded game since his 2020 performance against Jacksonville. After some doubts regarding his longevity after dealing with injuries last year, the resurgence has been real for the Chargers’ star wideout.

Allen will be leaned on heavily in the next 12 weeks without Mike Williams and some other offense issues. The Chargers will need more of this level from Allen to stay above water. Shout out to Slayer for continuing to turn back the clock in 2023.

Dud: QB Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert’s performance on Monday Night Football was his worst in a few seasons. It wasn’t all on him, to be fair. The offensive line had a whole slew of problems. Herbert was pressured 21 times.

The pressures and hits Herbert has taken in the last two weeks have caused him to become skittish in the pocket even when pressure isn’t there. As mentioned in the Allen stud section, the Chargers’ quarterback airmailed two wide-open deep shots to his star receiver. It’s rare for him to miss that badly.

In terms of diagnosing inaccurate passes and poor play, the broken finger on the non-throwing hand comes into this discussion.

After arguably having the best game of his career against Minnesota in Week 3, Herbert needs to be better in reacting to pressure to put the Chargers in positions to win games. He’s cost the team yards and points in the last two weeks.

Stud: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu

Tuli Tuipulotu was PFF’s highest-graded Charger on the defensive side of the ball. He had five pressures and a run stop. Tuipulotu is now second on the team in pressures and fourth among all rookie defenders.

Considering the health of Joey Bosa and his inability to perform at his usual standard, the USC rookie’s performance has been necessary for this defensive line to play as well as it has. Last year, EDGE defenders opposite Khalil Mack had struggled to hold their own when Bosa was out. With Tuipulotu impacting a high volume of his defensive snaps, the Chargers have been saved by his continued development.

Dud: The offensive line

The Chargers could only get a little running game going. Austin Ekeler had just 27 yards on 14 carries in his return. Herbert was pressured 21 times. Both of these problems stem from the decline of the offensive line over recent weeks.

Will Clapp allowed three pressures as his pass-blocking efficiency dipped. The team misses Corey Linsley quite a bit in both communication and performance. Rashawn Slater has led the team in pressures allowed in each of the last two games. He’s been on the injury report with an ankle in recent weeks and it was once again heavily taped during Monday’s game.

An underwhelming interior and the injury-related decline of Slater are more than enough to cause the offensive line to plummet. In fairness, the opponents have been rough, with Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby coming to town in the last two games. But the Chargers need to stabilize the offensive line in this next vital stretch of games to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Stud: WR Joshua Palmer

Joshua Palmer played through a groin injury and led the team in receiver snaps. He had four receptions for 60 yards and would come down with a score if not for a tremendous 4th down stop in the end zone by Daron Bland.

It’s evident that he’s earned Herbert’s trust over the years and that’s a massive step forward in a Chargers’ receiver room that is missing the aforementioned Williams. Until Quentin Johnston or other receivers step up with consistent production, Palmer will be just as important as Allen in putting together consistent drives downfield for the Chargers.

Dud: Derwin James

Derwin James has been a disappointment this season. In coverage, he hasn’t been as efficient as in previous seasons. There are also moments like Dak Prescott’s zone read touchdown that essentially happened because of a defensive miscommunication about where he was supposed to be.

All of that aside, the penalties are the big story with Derwin James. He gave the Cowboys a free 30 yards on two penalties in this game. He’s up to four on the season and is on pace to smash his single-season record of six.

The first roughing the passer penalty was very debatable. I don’t think it should’ve been called on James. However, James has to know by now that he will be penalized for leading with his helmet. It’s cost the Chargers a few times this season. The refs have been consistent in calling it as well. There’s no surprise when it happens at this point.

For James to save his season, he must be a more disciplined player. While his frustrations with a changing set of NFL rules are understandable, it’s on him as a team leader to not cost the Chargers in critical moments.

Former Ohio State football center, Corey Linsley placed on IR with heart issue

Thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery.

Former Ohio State offensive lineman and current Los Angeles Chargers center, Corey Linsley has been placed on IR with a “non-emergent heart issue.” Linsley started the first three games for the Chargers this season before being put on the IR ahead of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He will be out for at least the next four games.

Linsley starred for the Buckeyes from 2009-2013 and was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 2014 by the Green Bay Packers. He was an integral part of the Packer offense through 2020. Then in March of 2021, he reached a deal with the Chargers that would earn him $62.5 million over five years making him the highest paid center in the league. He was named an All-Pro in 2020 and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021.

Although this is unfortunate news, Fox News reported that “Linsley was in good spirits and will keep meeting with doctors to get more information.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and we’re hopeful for a quick recovery.

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Chargers’ Corey Linsley to be placed on injured reserve

The Chargers will be without Corey Linsley for at least the next four games.

The Chargers will be without starting center Corey Linsley for at least the next four games.

According to multiple reports, Linsley is going to be placed on injured reserve with a non-emergent heart-related medical issue.

Linsley will continue working with doctors and specialists in the coming days.

With Linsley out, L.A. will turn to Will Clapp to resume the duties as the starter at center.

Signed last offseason, Clapp started three games while Linsley was out with a knee injury, food poisoning and a concussion in 2022. He was strong in pass protection, allowing just four pressures on 252 pass-block snaps.

Signed in 2021, Linsley has appeared in 33 games. In his first season with the Bolts, he was named second-team All-Pro and made his first Pro Bowl.