Chargers status at offensive line
Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt, Mekhi Becton, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Andre James, Trey Pipkins III, Jamaree Salyer, Karsen Barnhart, Tyler McLellan, Bucky Williams
With Slater holding down the left tackle spot at an All-Pro level, the Chargers selected Alt at No. 5 overall in last year’s draft with the idea of two franchise tackles leading the offensive line.
That scenario came together rather quickly.
The two tackles put together stellar seasons in their first year on the same line as Slater made his second Pro Bowl team and Alt was a PFWA All-Rookie Team selection.
Slater had arguably his best season as a pro on the field, but almost as important was his leadership role and being someone the rookie Alt leaned on.
“Being able to communicate and talk to a guy every single day who plays at such a high level,” Alt said about Slater. “In my opinion, the best left tackle in the [league].
“Being able to talk with him and pick his brain about what he did as a rookie and what he’s doing in his career [was] huge for me,” Alt added.
The Bolts also had a big-time addition on the interior with Mekhi Becton, who is listed at 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds and brings more physicality to the line.
Becton is coming off a Super Bowl win with the Eagles in his first season kicking inside to guard. He thrived at a new spot, posting an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 75.2 in the regular season, good for 16th among guards with at least 500 snaps.
The other two spots along the offensive line will be a storyline to watch for the offseason.
Zion Johnson, who spent the past three seasons at guard, will get a chance to earn the starting center role this offseason, leaving a competition at left guard as well.
Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said at the 2025 Annual League Meeting that Pipkins, who played at right guard last season, would be the “No. 1 guy” as it stands, but also mentioned the likes of Salyer, free agent addition James and Bozeman as competition.
“We haven’t started yet, we start in April,” Harbaugh said. “But we’ve got we have so much versatility now with the inside players. Guys that can play guard, guys that can play center.”
He later added: “There’ll be a lot of good players — great players — that we have the license and the ability to contribute, start, and make us better.”
Rounding out the group is Barnhart, who spent 2024 on the practice squad, as well as McLellan and Williams, who spent last season on injured reserve.
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