Bradley Bozeman has officially announced his retirement from the NFL after an eight-year career that saw the center and guard play in Baltimore, Carolina, and, most recently, Los Angeles with Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers.
Chargers veteran C Bradley Bozeman announced on IG that he is retiring from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/woRBxMNf44
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 23, 2026
Although his play left much to be desired by fans, there is no doubt that Bozeman was well-liked among the coaching staff, front office, and throughout the locker room. Voted a team captain and signed to a two-year extension prior to this past season, Bozeman was viewed as a potential cut candidate.
Still, many fans questioned whether Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz would have been willing to release a player they may have valued on a more personal level.
Bradley Bozeman’s decision keeps Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz’s minds clear of any “guilt” for releasing a beloved locker room presence
Fortunately for the organization, Bozeman appears to have recognized that the game had begun to pass him by. He removed any uncertainty for Harbaugh and Hortiz regarding whether to retain the veteran presence or pivot elsewhere in free agency or the draft.
Is it possible he saw the writing on the wall with Mike McDaniel joining the staff and bringing in Butch Barry as the new offensive line coach? It certainly could have played a role. Whatever the motivation, Bozeman chose to walk away on his own terms, concluding an eight-year career that far exceeds what most players ever achieve.
As easy as it may be for fans to criticize Bozeman’s tenure with the Chargers, they should also recognize the value of this timing. Had he delayed the decision until training camp or, worse, during the season, the team could have been left scrambling at one of the most important positions on the field.
By making this announcement now, Bozeman has given the front office and coaching staff ample time to evaluate their options and identify a center who fits McDaniel’s vision for the offense.
Will the Chargers pursue a veteran like Tyler Linderbaum or Connor McGovern? Could they lean further into the youth movement and target prospects such as Connor Lew, Jake Slaughter, or Sam Hecht in the draft?
Those answers will come soon enough. What is clear is that Harbaugh and Hortiz no longer have to wrestle with the delicate decision of parting ways with a respected veteran. Bozeman made that call himself.
Unlike other difficult coaching and roster decisions the organization has faced, this one resolved itself before it became uncomfortable.
Bradley Bozeman is, by all accounts, an excellent person and teammate. It is unfortunate that his time in Los Angeles did not meet the expectations that accompanied his arrival two seasons ago. Still, he walks away healthy, with a long NFL career behind him and the opportunity to begin the next chapter of his life.
The Chargers now have clarity at a crucial position, and with that clarity comes opportunity. It will be fascinating to see how they choose to move forward.