The Los Angeles Chargers are heading into a pivotal offseason-one that could define the Jim Harbaugh era in Year 3. Back-to-back 11-6 seasons and two early playoff exits have made one thing abundantly clear: this team has talent, but it’s not quite playoff-ready.
The defense has done its part, but the offense-particularly the offensive line-has lagged behind. With free agency looming and roughly $83 million in cap space to work with, the Chargers have both the need and the financial firepower to reshape their roster.
Offensive Line: Protecting the Franchise
Let’s start with the obvious: Justin Herbert needs better protection. The Chargers don’t need to touch the tackle spots-Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are locked in for 2026-but the interior of the offensive line is a different story. Zion Johnson, the team’s starting left guard, is set to hit free agency, and that opens the door for some serious upgrades.
One name that’s been tied to LA in mock drafts is Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane, widely considered the top guard prospect in this year’s class. If he falls to the Chargers at No. 22, it would be tough to pass him up.
Guards don’t usually fly off the board early, which could work in LA’s favor. But even if the Bolts go a different direction in the draft, free agency is loaded with options to bolster the line.
Enter Ed Ingram. The veteran guard posted a solid 71.5 PFF grade last season-good for 18th among all guards-and he brings the kind of experience and consistency this unit desperately needs.
Ingram can slot in at either guard spot, giving the Chargers flexibility as they rebuild the line around Herbert. If LA can walk into Week 1 with a front five of Slater-Ioane-Linderbaum-Ingram-Alt, it would be a massive step forward.
Tyler Linderbaum: The Keystone Piece
Speaking of Linderbaum, let’s talk about the crown jewel of this potential offensive line makeover. If the Ravens don’t re-sign or tag him, the Chargers should be first in line. Linderbaum was a top-five center last season, earning an 80.3 PFF grade and proving once again that he’s one of the best in the business.
The connection here makes too much sense. Linderbaum would go from John Harbaugh to Jim Harbaugh-same football DNA, same emphasis on physicality and discipline up front.
He’d instantly stabilize the middle of the line and give Herbert the kind of interior protection he’s rarely had. If there’s one big-ticket free agent the Chargers should go all-in on, it’s Linderbaum.
Rashid Shaheed: A Homegrown Spark Plug
On the offensive skill side, Rashid Shaheed is a name to watch. The wide receiver and electric return specialist has made waves with both the Saints and Seahawks, and if Seattle lets him hit the open market, the Chargers should be all over it.
Shaheed is a San Diego native who grew up watching the Bolts, and a return home could be mutually beneficial. He’d bring game-breaking speed to an offense that could use more vertical threats, and he’d immediately upgrade the return game-an area that’s been inconsistent at best. With Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris, and Quentin Johnston already in the fold, adding Shaheed would give Herbert a versatile, explosive weapon capable of stretching defenses and flipping field position.
Devin Lloyd: A Defensive Difference-Maker
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Devin Lloyd could be a splashy addition. Lloyd, a second-team All-Pro in 2025, is hitting the market at just the right time-and the Chargers have the cap space to make a serious offer.
Like Shaheed, Lloyd has San Diego roots. That familiarity with Southern California, combined with the chance to join a top-five defense, could make LA an appealing destination.
He’d slot in next to Daiyan Henley and immediately elevate the second level of the defense. Lloyd brings range, instincts, and leadership-exactly what this unit needs to keep pace with the AFC’s elite offenses.
Dre’Mont Jones: Reinforcing the Edge
Edge rusher is another position that could see turnover. Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh are both pending free agents, and while the Chargers would love to retain both, the reality is they might lose one-or even both-depending on how negotiations shake out.
That’s where Dre’Mont Jones comes into play. The former Ohio State standout split time between the Titans and Ravens in 2025, finishing with seven sacks and continuing to show he can be a disruptive presence off the edge. He wouldn’t necessarily be a full-time starter, but as a rotational piece alongside Tuli Tuipulotu, he’d give the Chargers depth and flexibility in their pass rush packages.
And yes, he’d also be making the Harbaugh-to-Harbaugh transition, which seems to be a theme this offseason.
Final Thoughts
The Chargers have the cap space, the coaching, and the core talent to make a real leap in 2026. But to do that, they need to nail free agency-starting with the offensive line. If they can land Tyler Linderbaum, add a veteran like Ed Ingram, and potentially draft Olaivavega Ioane, Herbert will finally have the protection he needs to operate at an MVP level.
Add in playmakers like Rashid Shaheed and defensive reinforcements like Devin Lloyd and Dre’Mont Jones, and suddenly this Chargers team doesn’t just look like a playoff hopeful-it looks like a legitimate contender.
The pieces are there. Now it’s up to Joe Hortiz, Harbaugh, and the front office to put them together.