Getty
The Chargers offensive line can see a major boost
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned that for the team to succeed, the teammates around Justin Herbert “must get on his level.”
After getting knocked out of the playoffs in the AFC wildcard for the second consecutive postseason, it is a clear sign that the Bolts still have some work to do in sorting out the roster.
Herbert was one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the league, so getting him some help up front will be the key priority in the upcoming offseason.
Having one of the highest cap spaces for the 2026 free agency, Los Angeles is in a good place to get some good surrounding pieces for their star quarterback.
Help In the Offensive Line
GettyJustin Herbert’s front five could be improved in the offseason
The Los Angeles Chargers have the resources to improve for the 2026 season with around $83.5 million in cap space.
LA can use the cap space to find a good interior offensive linemen protector to help lower the 54 sacks allowed in the 2025 season — the Bolts lost their two starting tackles to season-ending injuries.
Pro Football Focus released a list of the best landing spots for the best interior offensive linemen free agents, with Mason Cameron listing the Chargers as the best landing spot for Buffalo Bills guard David Edwards.
“The Bills’ offensive success may frequently rest on the shoulders of Josh Allen, but the pieces up front play a huge role in the equation. Edwards was a key contributor to Buffalo’s success both on the ground and through the air in 2025,” Cameron wrote.
“The 28-year-old guard is fresh off a career-best 75.0 PFF pass-blocking grade, a top-10 mark among qualifying guards. That ability as an interior pass protector will draw the Chargers’ interest, after a myriad of injuries left Justin Herbert with little protection behind a patchwork offensive line. As a result, the Chargers surrendered the most pressures (456) in the NFL and allowed their franchise quarterback to be knocked down on 19% of his dropbacks.”
We have seen how having a good offensive line can help quarterbacks win the Most Valuable Player Award.
Matthew Stafford won the 2025 MVP and had the fourth-best offensive line in the season, according to PFF. Josh Allen won the coveted award in the 2024 season, with PFF naming his front five the eighth-best.
So it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to say that if the Bolts’ offensive line adds Edwards, Herbert could make quite the leap in his career.
LA needs consistent, reliable players in the line, with Edwards playing in 16 or more games in six of his seven seasons as a professional.
The guard, who has played on the left side for the majority of his career, originally started his career at right guard with the Los Angeles Rams.
Over $146 Million Returning Next Season
GettyThe Chargers’ offensive line will already improve in the 2026 season
The offensive line is already set to improve for the 2026 season with the return of two starters.
Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon in training camp, which knocked him out before the start of the season. Joe Alt suffered a high ankle sprain that forced him to end his season after six games.
Both tackles will be ready for the 2026 season and will easily improve the pass block from the edge.
Adding more pieces to a poor offensive line will make Justin Herbert and the offense’s job a lot easier with more quality pieces.
Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia
More Heavy on Chargers
Loading more stories