Pro Bowler? Check. (Biadasz earned that honor in 2022).

This is a great move by Hortiz and the Chargers to get this done before the free agency frenzy kicks off next week.

With center being among the team’s top priorities and with the Chargers having nearly $100 million in cap space, it would have been easy for Hortiz to throw big money around to solve the position.

But that’s not how he operates.

After the 2024 season, Hortiz said the Chargers would be “responsible and clinical in our approach” to free agency.

And in January, Hortiz noted that “I don’t want to spend recklessly, I know that.”

Getting Biadasz done at a reasonable price means the Bolts still have plenty of room to address other areas of their roster, whether that be pending internal free agents or players who will be on the market next week.

Throw in the fact that Biadasz won’t count against the 2027 comp pick formula because he was released before the start of the 2026 New League Year and this is a win-win all around for the Bolts.

As the Chargers transition to a new scheme under Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel, look for Biadasz to be a leader and focal point up front.

“It was a great opportunity,” Biadasz said. “When I got to talk with the staff yesterday throughout the whole day and their philosophy and system, their belief and how to attack defenses, it really fit me in regards to my ability and my passion and energy and what they bring to the table.”

The 6-foot-4 and 316-pound center might not be the biggest player on the field. But he wins with his football IQ and savvy play, something that should ensure him to Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and the rest of the staff.

Plus, Biadasz has some familiarity within the building already as he played in the Big Ten with Rashawn Slater in college and trained with the Chargers star left tackle in Dallas in recent years.

As it stands now, the Bolts are set at tackle with Slater and Joe Alt, both of whom are expected to return from injury in 2026.

We’ll see what the Chargers do at right guard now that they released Mekhi Becton. Left guard is still uncertain with Zion Johnson slated to be a free agent.

But slotting Biadasz in at center is an important and necessary step for the Chargers are they look to protect Justin Herbert more consistently going forward — and he’s fired up to do so.

“We came out in the same draft class, got to know him over the years. Every time we played each other, we see each other after the game, check in on one another,” Biadasz said about Herbert. “Even though we didn’t talk too much outside of the game, any time I see him we catch up.

“Very excited to go compete with him and build that relationship and chemistry day in and day out,” he added. “I know he’s a great guy that has a great work ethic. To have that leadership at that position is huge. Not enough great things to say about him, there’s so many great things about him. With his identity and how he goes about his business, I’m very excited to work with him.”

View the Chargers 2026 Free Agency Tracker.

View the Chargers 2026 Draft Picks.

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