Jim Harbaugh has been the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers for two seasons. The end result has been the same both times, an 11-6 record followed by elimination in the wild-card round of the postseason.
The Chargers will have to do something differently if they want to end up with better results. One of the issues that’s plagued the team has been at the center position, where Bradley Bozeman has started 33 games in the past two seasons.
Recently, The Athletic‘s Chargers insider Daniel Popper suggested the team should target Tyler Linderbaum in free agency to solve the team’s biggest need.
“The Chargers have started Bradley Bozeman at center for the past two seasons, and he has been a liability in pass protection. They should have upgraded last offseason. Instead, they stuck with Bozeman, and Justin Herbert was hit more than any quarterback in the league. Bozeman allowed 36 pressures, most among centers, according to PFF. The Chargers must find a more capable starting center. That is their offseason priority. There are some intriguing options in free agency, including Tyler Linderbaum, who Chargers GM Joe Hortiz had a hand in drafting during his time with the Ravens.”
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper on Chargers/Tyler Linderbaum
Linderbaum, a three-time Pro Bowl center, was the 25th overall pick by the Ravens in the 2022 NFL Draft. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz was Baltimore’s director of player personnel when Linderbaun was selected in the first round. Now, he could use that inside intel to chase Linderbaum, who’s missed just two games in his four-year career.
The Ravens declined Linderbaum’s fifth-year rookie contract option because he would have a $23.4 million salary in 2026. Now, Spotrac projects Linderbaum’s market value at $17.7 million per season.
If Baltimore lets Linderbaum hit the open market, we could see the 25-year-old land an even bigger contract in free agency.
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