The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off a very disappointing yet expected loss against the reigning Super Bowl champions, Kansas City Chiefs. With a tight score of 17-10, this was a very winnable game for the banged-up bolts, but once again, they came up shy. The majority of the issues that occurred were due to the complete lack of winning-football-caliber play from the Chargers front five offensive linemen. Whether it was crucial processing errors, complete mismatches, or simply losing your best players, this Chargers offensive line is in despair.
What’s Happening With The Chargers Offensive Line?
Coming into the season, the Chargers were touted to have an extremely talented offensive line, one wherein they even had an abundance of talent. After all, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said they are “weapons” too. However, this 2-2 start of the season could be so much better if these “weapons” played like they can.
“Offensive Linemen we look at as weapons. When we talk about attacking on offense… Offensive Line is the tip of the spear.”
– Jim Harbaugh pic.twitter.com/dxQoWzzOSc
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) April 26, 2024
Notable Weak-Link: A Former First-Round Pick Who Can’t Put It All Together
The weak-links of this what is seemingly strong chain are former first-round election, Zion Johnson and free agent signee, Bradley Bozeman. Starting off with Johnson, the former 2022 17th overall selection has not played up to expectations. Touted as a very safe, non-sexy selection by the Chargers to raise the floor of their offensive, has really only lowered it.
The former Boston College interior offensive lineman loses in big-time moments, leading to mistakes that can’t be remedied. With an injured Justin Herbert, his issues are even more prevalent due to Herbert not being able to bail him out of the situations Johnson places him in. With a 38.8 pass-blocking grade throughout four games, he has to step it up in the passing game. As a run blocker, he has a strong 76.2 grade, showing that something is there.
Johnson by all, accounts has all of the talent, athleticism, and processing ability to perform at this level. That is why it is so mind-boggling to see a player like him struggle. If it isn’t a talent or a work ethic thing… what is it?
The Man to Blame? – A Veteran Addition Not Performing to Expectation
The Chargers added Bradley Bozeman in the off-season on March 18th. They hoped he would be their Center for the next year or two until they found the guy who could really be the franchise Center. This is due to their unfortunate and untimely loss of Corey Linsley, who was unable to play football after finding out he had a heart issue.
A familiar face in the Greg Roman scheme was expected to pick up the playbook quickly and play like he did before his regression in Carolina. Chargers fans knew he was likely to be a weak link in a very good offensive line, but they did expect him to be so bad that this offensive line is now ranked in the 20s according to PFF (latest ranking was before week 4, wherein the offensive line had arguably their worst performance of their season).
Bozeman has a poor 46.1 PFF passing grade, and it shows every Sunday. Poor communication, whiffs, or even just sliding the wrong way, the former Raven and Panthers interior offensive lineman has shown he needs to be replaced or to step up ASAP.
What We Need to See Changed ASAP
With the weak links identified, what can be done to remedy the issues the Chargers offensive line is facing? How can the coaching staff put these players in better positions to succeed?
Communication & Play Calling
Under the offensive duties of Harbaugh and Roman, you’d expect a very clean offensive game plan every week. The Chargers have been riddled with penalties that completely kill drives before they even start. They rank third most in the league in False Start penalties with 8. When you are constantly starting drives 1st and 15, you are putting a run-focused offense in a passing situation. With a hurt quarterback, a lack of pass catchers, and, as mentioned before, two offensive linemen who cannot pass protect. A recipe for disaster.
Beyond the penalty issues, you have a complete lack of communication among your offensive line. The man in charge is the aforementioned Bozeman, who has already become notorious for sliding protections the wrong way, leading to plenty of free rushers. He has also not picked up blitzes/stunts at a high level you’d expect from a 7-year veteran, leading to more drive-killing plays.
Every team has different protection rules so it's tough to say exactly what is being coached here, but something is clearly not being communicated properly because the Chargers are consistently letting IDL run free up the middle each week. Mustipher and Pipkins go right, Bozeman… pic.twitter.com/QaASAsfnHK
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) October 1, 2024
The Chargers need to take this upcoming bye week and ensure that this offensive line is ready to play disciplined. Furthermore, the play calling of Greg Roman needs to be more of what it was in the first quarter of the Chiefs game. More trickery, misdirection, and screens allow your offensive lineman to get out in space and make plays like the “weapons” they are supposed to be. Keeping the defense on their toes allows the offensive line that split-second to create better pass set depth for true passing plays.
Bye Week Couldn’t Have Come Sooner – A Healthy Chargers Offensive Line for a Change
As mentioned before, the Chargers offensive line has gone through plenty of injury woes. This past week the Chargers played without their starting tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. With those injuries, they had a new starting lineup (from left to right) of Jamaree Salyer, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Sam Mustipher, and Trey Pipkins.
Miscommunication is bound to happen when 3/5 of your offensive linemen are playing out of position or have yet to play in the 2024 season. The left side struggled in pass protection, Bozeman couldn’t call protections to save his life, and Sam Mustipher was atrocious all game long. The practice squad signee was called up to start against Chris Jones. It was not a pretty sight.
I don't mind the route combination that the Chargers dialed up here on 4th and goal. The Chiefs just shut it down perfectly. Ladd McConkey in the backfield is a cool wrinkle that they should definitely come back to.
What I do mind, however, is leaving a practice squad center… pic.twitter.com/ZBqagThURo
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) October 1, 2024
The bye week is this week for the bolts and should allow for Joe Alt to return to health. Rashawn Slater should also be very close, if not fully back to health as well. Another week of gelling together as a group should allow this offensive line to bounce back. If they do not show signs of improvement soon, General Manager Joe Hortiz may have some work to do.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
