Tag: Jordan McFadden

Former Clemson OL claimed by the Chicago Bears

McFadden finds a new home in the NFL.

Former Clemson offensive lineman Jordan McFadden has reportedly joined a new NFL team. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chicago Bears claimed McFadden off waivers on Friday, just a day after he was released by the Los Angeles Chargers.

McFadden, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft (156th overall), spent time with the Chargers as a versatile lineman. Originally a standout tackle at Clemson, where he earned two All-ACC honors and started 39 consecutive games to close out his college career, McFadden transitioned to guard in the NFL.

During his rookie season in 2023, McFadden played in 12 games and made two starts for the Chargers. This season, however, he saw action in just one game before being waived. Now with the Bears, McFadden looks to make an impact on a new roster.

At Clemson, McFadden’s accolades included the 2022 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded to the ACC’s best blocker, and a reputation as one of the Tigers’ most reliable offensive linemen during his tenure.

4 matchups to watch in Chargers vs. Chiefs

Here are a few matchups to watch in Week 18.

The Chargers’ roster will go through a final audition on Sunday before the offseason begins, promising a complete overhaul of LA’s roster going into the 2024 season.

With a battle against the Chiefs’ backups on deck, here are a few matchups to watch in the contest.

4 things to watch in Chargers vs. Chiefs

Here are a few storylines to track in the game between the Chargers and Chiefs..

Los Angeles mercifully ends their season on Sunday afternoon, matching up with a Chiefs team locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs. Blaine Gabbert will start for Kansas City, his first start since 2018.

Here are a few storylines to track in the game.

Clemson rookie shines for the Chargers in the preseason

Jordan McFadden looks like a steal so far in the preseason for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Former Clemson tackle Jordan McFadden has seen NFL action for the first time with the Los Angeles Chargers and has impressed early in his career.

The Chargers No.156 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, McFadden was undersized to play tackle, so he has transitioned to guard. From what we’ve seen early, McFadden looks like he could be one of the steals of the draft.

In the Chargers preseason matchup with the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, McFadden excelled, showing everyone a bit of what he is capable of at the next level. According to Pro Football Focus, the young guard didn’t allow a single pressure in 42 pass block snaps vs. the Saints.

If you want to make an impression on the offensive line, this is how you do it. A great start for McFadden at the next level.

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Where Chargers can improve in their 2nd preseason game

Despite the win over the Rams, there are still some things that Chargers players can improve on.

The Chargers kicked off the preseason with a 34-17 victory over the Rams. Despite the win, there are still some things that players can improve on, as their time to make impressions on the coaching staff is dwindling.

Here are the things I observed from Saturday that Los Angeles needs to improve.

5 position battles to watch during Chargers training camp

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.

1 player to watch at each position during Chargers’ 2023 training camp: Offense

Here are the offensive players to watch for at Chargers training camp.

After a few months of retooling the roster, the Chargers are set to begin training camp, which kicks off next Wednesday, July 26, at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

During that time, starting spots and roster spots, in general, will be earned. That said, we’re listing a player to watch for at each position, starting with the offense.

Swinney and Austin discuss Clemson’s left tackle competition

Clemson will have a new starting left tackle this season after Jordan McFadden departed for the NFL.

Clemson’s coaches aren’t committing to a starter at left tackle heading into fall camp.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, head coach Dabo Swinney gave no firm timeline on when the team will announce a starting left tackle.

“I hope we have a long time before we decide because I hope it’s that competitive; I think it’s going to be,” Swinney said.

While Swinney didn’t assure any one specific player will start, he expressed his confidence in a redshirt sophomore to block Cade Klubnik’s blindside.

“If you told me Tristan Leigh was going to start for us at left tackle right now, I’m sleeping just fine. I got no problem with that,” Swinney said. “That guy, he’s a winner, and he cares. It’s amazing the transformation that has happened in him.”

As a true freshman in 2021, Leigh played 20 snaps while redshirting. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, he played 50 snaps last season as a reserve.

Clemson offensive line coach Thomas Austin was also non-committal and said the team could play multiple players early on in the year. But Austin did say that Leigh “pulled away a little bit” since the end of last season and has a slight advantage over redshirt freshman Collin Sadler.

“Nothin Collin didn’t do well; it’s just Tristan had a really good spring,” Austin said. “Those guys both have different skill sets and bring different things to the table.”

Jordan McFadden was the Tigers’ starting left tackle for the past two seasons before he left for the NFL.

Now, Clemson needs to find his replacement. And, ultimately, it will come down to who the best five is, Swinney said, even if that means shifting some of last year’s starters around to different spots.

“There are so many scenarios that could play out,” Swinney added. “But I will say this, regardless of how it all shakes as far as who will run out there Labor Day night, as far as the first five, I think this will be a year so different from years past. I think you’ll see us play probably 10 guys a game, minimum.”

If Clemson stays the course from last season, Marcus Tate will start at left guard, Will Putnam will start at center, Walker Parks will start at right guard and Blake Miller will start at right tackle.

At that point, the Tigers would just need to determine who runs out with the first team at the left tackle position.

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Every newcomer on Chargers’ roster heading into training camp

Here’s a look at all 27 newcomers on the Chargers’ roster right now heading into training camp.

The Chargers return most of their key players from last season as they look to make a deeper run after suffering defeat to the Jaguars in the Wild Card round.

However, they still made some acquisitions via free agency, the draft, and the undrafted free agency pool to create a stronger core.

As it stands, Los Angeles currently has 89 players under contract. And teams are allowed to carry up to 90 players during the offseason.

Here’s a look at all 27 newcomers on the Chargers’ roster right now heading into training camp.

 

Ranking the Chargers’ biggest offseason additions

Which Chargers acquisitions are poised to make the biggest impact in 2023?

The Chargers stayed fairly quiet this offseason, signing just three external free agents and holding on to each of their seven original draft picks.

Of those 10, which ones are poised to have the biggest impact on the 2023 squad?