After the retirement of Bradley Bozeman, it became ever more clear that the Los Angeles Chargers will need center help this offseason. While several top name centers, such as Tyler Linderbaum, are on the Chargers’ wishlist, a surprise name has emerged that could enter the Chargers’ minds.
The Washington Commanders just announced that their starting center Tyler Biadasz has been cut, opening up the market not just for the Chargers but for many NFL teams looking for O-line help. With news of the Ravens‘ contract offer to Linderbaum being higher than teams could be willing to pay, Biadasz becoming available could be a blessing in disguise for the Chargers.
A Cost-Effective Alternative at Center
The best thing about Biadasz is that he could come much cheaper than any move for Linderbaum. In fact, he came into the league at the same time as Justin Herbert, basically playing out his entire rookie contract, before extending for three years and 30 million dollars in 2024.
Now, while the market hasn’t been set on Biadasz as clearly as on other free agents, it is assumed that he could get a deal worth 9 to 11 million dollars per year, which would be a sum that the Chargers are more than willing to pay with the cap space they have.
Consistency and Value Could Seal the Deal
The most important part to weigh for the Chargers is how much worse Biadasz was last season than he has been throughout his career. While he was part of a offense ravaged by injuries and who just recently fired their OC, Biadasz actually ranked as the league’s 11th best center according to PFF. He also received a 67.1 pass blocking grade, continuing a trend that has seen him get a 60 or better grade from PFF in that statistic in every season since his rookie year.
While some Chargers fans will say that certain players the Chargers had at the position have been more efficient, Biadasz can be seen as more consistent, with a sense of longevity about him as well. He would simply be the next in the line of dependable centers who, if the Chargers’ line is fully healthy, wouldn’t have to stand out or reinvent the O-line’s play.
With hopefully a fully healthy season from both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, two All-Pro caliber tackles, and countless resources to improve the line full stop, Biadasz could start to become something of a no-brainer in free agency for the Chargers.
Most importantly, because Biadasz was cut, it would not impact the Chargers should they earn a compensatory pick down the line. For someone who has been the picture of dependability, only missing two games in two years, that could be the kicker that gets a deal over the line.
For a player who may not have been on Chargers’ fans bingo cards this offseason, the signing of Tyler Biadasz could become more of a reality in the coming weeks. Potentially, it could be a signing that moves the needle for the Chargers’ short-term success.
Christopher Sheppard Christopher Sheppard is a passionate and knowledgeable sports journalist based in Englewood, NJ pursuing a role in the sports media industry. He covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, focusing on the Dolphins, Chargers, and Buccanneers. More about Christopher Sheppard
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