Getty
Chargers offensive line needs a reshape
The Los Angeles Chargers‘ offensive line was rated as one of the worst of the 2025 season according to Pro Football Focus, with Justin Herbert being one of the top three quarterbacks sacked the most in the league.
For LA to have some success in the postseason, the star QB will need more time in the pocket to be able to work his magic.
Good news is the team is slated to get tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater for the 2026 season, but the Bolts will need to do some more work in the front five.
With the free agency coming up soon, creating more cap space will be vital for the future of the offense under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Super Bowl Winner May Be Cap Cut Casualty
GettyThe Bolts will need to do some work on the front five
The Los Angeles Chargers will have one of the highest amounts of cap space for the offseason, with around $83 million available.
After poor performances from the O-line in the 2025 season, targeting the line can be a good spot to save some money under Jim Harbaugh’s third season with the Bolts.
Greg Auman of Fox Sports believes the Bolts should cut guard Mekhi Becton, which will save the team around $9.7 million in cap space.
“Becton, 26, has played out the full arc of NFL highs and lows — a first-round pick, didn’t work out with [New York] Jets, bounces back with [Philadelphia] Eagles in a championship season, lands a big deal as a free agent, now soon to be cut,” Auman wrote.
“He’s due to make $10 million and was 77th out of 79 guards by Pro Football Focus last year. The Chargers were missing both tackles due to injury, but his play dropped off enough that he could be part of an overhaul to their interior offensive line. With Jeff Stoutland gone, the Eagles seem like less of a match to return.”
Becton received a 45.2 pass block grade, in the top 10 worst, and a 34.3 run block grade, the worst, in the 2025 season among qualifying guards.
The entire interior offensive line was an issue for LA, but the other two starters were on the last year of their deal or on a one-year deal, while Becton remains for another season.
Harbaugh mentioned that for the team to succeed, the teammates around Justin Herbert need to be on the QB’s level. So cutting the guard who was rated as one of the worst in the league is a good place to start.
With some new coaches in the offensive coaching staff, some change is bound to happen.
Drafting Help Up Front
GettyJustin Herbert’s offensive line can get an upgrade in the upcoming draft
Outside of having more than $90 million in cap space if the Chargers cut Mekhi Becton, Los Angeles also has the 22nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With this, the Bolts can get to work on their offensive line worries and select a highly touted guard.
In the 22nd spot, many mock drafts have the Chargers taking Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane.
Ioane received an 87 pass block grade and a 78.6 run block grade compared to Mekhi Becton, almost double the pro lineman’s grade.
Justin Herbert was sacked 6 times in the AFC wildcard game against the New England Patriots, so prioritizing the offensive line will be the first thing the Bolts will likely do.
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