The Chargers came out of their preseason opener with a result that matters far less than the way they got there. In Thursday night’s 27-7 win over the Houston Texans, Los Angeles got a much-needed look at an offensive line that has been one of the biggest question marks on the roster, and the early signs were encouraging.
That was especially true at left guard, where the competition is still very much open. The group didn’t look like a finished product, but it did look sturdier than it did for much of last season. Several players fighting for that spot made their case, and the Chargers left the night with reasons to believe this unit could be better than expected in 2026.
Rookie Jake Slaughter was one of the biggest bright spots. The second-round pick opened the game at center, then shifted to left guard, giving the Chargers a chance to see how he handles multiple roles. He played seven of the team’s 10 offensive series and looked comfortable at both spots.
That kind of flexibility could be huge. Tyler Biadasz looks set as the starting center, but Slaughter’s ability to move around gives Los Angeles another option on the interior and adds depth where it’s badly needed.
The left guard battle still has plenty of names in it. Kayode Awosika, Branson Taylor, Trey Pipkins III, Trevor Penning and Slaughter are all in the mix, and Awosika stood out in a big way. He posted the highest offensive PFF grade among Chargers players at 90.1.
Taylor also drew attention with his performance, which helps explain why the Chargers have kept giving him chances in this competition. Penning had his moments too, including a strong block on Amar Johnson’s touchdown run.
The run game was another positive. Even without the Chargers’ top offensive players on the field, the offense moved the ball effectively and kept finding ways to generate yards on the ground. Johnson finished with two rushing touchdowns, and Los Angeles outgained Houston by 170 yards.
No one is ready to stamp this line as solved after one preseason game. The Texans were working with plenty of backups, and the Chargers weren’t showing their full offensive package. There’s still a long way to go before the regular season.
But the early picture up front was hard to ignore.
If the Chargers can get Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt healthy, keep Biadasz steady at center and land on a dependable left guard, this line could wind up looking a lot better than expected.
For now, it was just one preseason game. Still, the first impression was a strong one.
In Other News...
Amar Johnson Just Turned Up The Heat In The Chargers Backfield
Amar Johnson spent the preseason game against Houston showing why the Chargers backfield is starting to feel crowded in a hurry. He handled six carries for 17 yards and added two catches for 68 yards, flashing the kind of versatility that can make a young running back stand out when roster spots are at a premium.
Johnson also gave Los Angeles a look at what he can do as a receiver, which matters in a room that already includes Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, Kimani Vidal, Greg DeRosiers and Jared Patterson. The Chargers are sorting through a lot of competition at one position, and Johnsons night at least made the conversation a little more complicated. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Roster Battle Just Got Tougher After What Happened In Houston
The Chargers got another look at the back end of their roster picture in Houston, where several fringe players made a case to stick around. Jahmeer Carter, Jake Slaughter, Keandre Lambert-Smith, Marlowe Wax, Amar Johnson and DJ Uiagalelei each had moments that matter in August, the kind of snaps coaches and front office staff lean on when the decision-making gets tougher later in camp. It is the sort of preseason performance that can help a player climb from the outside of the conversation to the edge of it.
Amar Johnson, in particular, added some real intrigue with a showing that caught the attention of the sideline, while Uiagaleleis night also gave the staff a chance to evaluate him in game action. For a team sorting through the final layers of its roster, games like this can quietly shape the last few spots and special teams depth, even if the bigger names barely enter the discussion. The Texans matchup did not settle anything, but it did make the competition a little more crowded. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Front Seven Could Steal L.A. Bragging Rights From The Rams
The two teams sharing SoFi Stadium are heading into the season with very different defensive vibes. The Rams made the louder offseason splash with aggressive moves for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, and there is still intrigue around whether Aaron Donald might come back into the picture. The Chargers, by contrast, were quieter in free agency, but their 2025 defense already showed real promise, especially up front, and that has kept them in the conversation in a town where every edge gets compared.
Training camp has only sharpened that view, with the Chargers front seven drawing steady attention as a group that could change the way the race for L.A. bragging rights looks this fall. First-round pick Akheem Mesidor has been part of that buzz, and the broader expectation is that both defenses should be better at getting to the quarterback. For the Chargers, the question is whether a less flashy offseason can still translate into the kind of pass-rush improvement that makes the rest of the city notice. [Read more 🡒]