The Los Angeles Chargers have been knocking on the playoff door, reaching the postseason in three of the last four years. Yet, advancing past the Wild Card Round remains elusive.
The 2025 season highlighted a glaring issue: their offensive line. With both starting tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, sidelined by injuries, the line crumbled, allowing 60 sacks-second most in the league.
Justin Herbert is firmly established as the franchise quarterback, and Omarion Hampton is poised to be the running back of the future. The Chargers have the makings of a potent offense, but to truly elevate their game, they must shore up their offensive line. Enter Tyler Linderbaum-a potential game-changer now available in free agency.
Linderbaum, drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, is well-known to Chargers GM Joe Horitz, who was instrumental in bringing him to Baltimore. Linderbaum's 2025 season was stellar, earning an 80.3 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking him fifth among centers. His 83.7 run-blocking grade was fourth overall, contributing to Baltimore’s second-ranked rushing attack, averaging 156.6 yards per game.
In contrast, the Chargers ranked 12th in rushing with 121.6 yards per game. While respectable, head coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff are aiming for a more dominant ground game. With a healthy Alt, Slater, and Hampton, adding Linderbaum could transform the Chargers into a formidable rushing powerhouse.
The need for a strong interior line presence became even more pressing after Bradley Bozeman's retirement. Bozeman started 16 games at center in 2025 but struggled significantly, reflected in his 51.7 PFF grade, the lowest among centers.
Historically, the Chargers haven’t been big spenders in free agency, but the time has come to seize the opportunity with Herbert at the helm. The team is built for success, but offensive line woes have been a stumbling block.
Linderbaum, one of the NFL’s top centers, could be the anchor the Chargers need. Pairing him with Alt and Slater would provide Herbert with a solid foundation and much-needed stability.
While the Ravens will undoubtedly try to retain Linderbaum, he might be the missing link for a Chargers Super Bowl run. It’s time for the franchise to invest in a solution that addresses their longstanding issues and maximizes their current potential.