Chargers Roster Cuts Created One Big Week 1 Concern

While rookie wide receiver Brenan Thompson shines post-cuts, the Chargers grapple with concerns on the interior offensive line as they gear up for the 2026 season.

The Chargers’ roster cuts brought one clear stock-up story and one lingering concern.

After trimming from 90 players to 53 on Sunday, Los Angeles came away with rookie wide receiver Brenan Thompson as one of the big winners, while the interior offensive line landed on the other side of the ledger, according to Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report.

Thompson made enough noise during camp to earn his place. Across multiple practices, he flashed the speed and athleticism that stood out all summer, and that performance was enough to secure him a spot on the 53-man roster. He now joins a Chargers wide receiver group that includes six players on the depth chart.

The picture is much less settled up front. Davenport pointed to the interior offensive line as the team’s biggest loser after cuts, and it’s easy to see why. The injury to center Tyler Biadsaz left a major hole, and the Chargers will have to lean on backups and players with limited experience as the season gets closer.

Rookie Jake Slaughter is set to step into the starting center job. The Chargers drafted Slaughter in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he is now in line for a key role in Mike McDaniel’s offense.

The other two interior spots also come with questions. Kayode Awosika is expected to start at left guard, while Cole Strange is projected at right guard.

That group was already the team’s weakest area in 2025, and it remains a real issue entering 2026.

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