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Jim Harbaugh is entering his third year as head coach of the LA Chargers
Justin Herbert was sacked 54 times in the 2025 regular season, the third most in the league. In the AFC wildcard game against the New England Patriots, the quarterback was brought down 6 times.
The Los Angeles Chargers parted ways with former offensive coordinator Greg Roman and brought in former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to take his spot.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media at the annual NFL owners meeting and said that working with McDaniel’s offensive scheme will help reduce the number of hits Herbert will take in the 2026 season.
Harbaugh discussed the team’s plan for the O-line for next season and revealed who he expects to be the starting right guard.
Jim Harbaugh On the Right Guard Spot
GettyJim Harbaugh talked about the offensive line at the NFL owners meeting
The Bolts’ interior offensive line was one of the worst in the league and needed to be revamped in the offseason.
The Chargers parted ways with right guard Mekhi Becton one year into his two-year contract with Los Angeles. Becton was graded as the third-worst guard in the 2025 season, with a 35.7 overall grade.
With the moves in free agency, the Bolts added an offensive lineman who now appears to be the frontrunner to become the starter at the RG spot.
According to ESPN’s Kris Rhim, Jim Harbaugh revealed at the NFL owners meeting that the expectation was to start Cole Strange at right guard in the 2026 season.
Strange has familiarity with Mike McDaniel, having worked under him in the 2025 season with the Dolphins. The guard, who was a former first-round pick from the Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft, played over 800 snaps at the right guard spot for McDaniel in Miami.
The head coach also mentioned that the team is open to adding another starting-caliber guard through the draft. LA has the 22nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and most mock drafts have the Bolts taking a guard in the first round.
Jim Harbaugh said that the team is open to welcoming competition for the spot.
Chargers Get Good News On $114 Million Player
GettyThe Chargers will get some big help in the 2026 season
Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater signed a four-year, $114 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, but did not feature for the team in the 2025 season after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon.
Slater, a two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro, was one of the better protectors in the 2024 season and the tackle spot became a weakness for the Chargers after both Slater and Joe Alt went down.
Jim Harbaugh mentioned that the offensive lineman is ahead of schedule in his rehab and is running at full speed.
With the recent additions to the offensive line and positive updates on injured players, Justin Herbert is set to receive fewer hits and sacks next season.
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
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