Chargers LT Russell Okung wants to play corner at the Pro Bowl

Chargers’ Russell Okung was selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl. However, the veteran left tackle wants his shot at cornerback.

Russell Okung made the Pro Bowl for the second time in his eight-year career. He will replace Raiders left tackle Donald Penn, who will miss Sunday’s game due to injury.

Okung was a big reason why the Chargers played better up front in 2017. He solidified an offensive line that ranked towards the bottom the previous three seasons. Despite getting pressured every so often, quarterback Philip Rivers was sacked a league-low–and career-low–18 times. It shows you the importance of having a solid left tackle protecting your quarterback’s blind side. Not only that, but he helped pave the way for running back Melvin Gordon, who notched his first 1,000-yard rushing season.

But the 31-year-old tackle has his eyes set on a different position at the Pro Bowl: Cornerback.

And he’s dead serious.

.@RussellOkung really, really wants to play corner ? #ProBowl pic.twitter.com/U36H59UugW

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) January 26, 2018

Luckily, his teammate Casey Hayward, who made his second straight Pro Bowl as a Charger, is there to give Okung some pointers should the coaches put him in.

“I talked to Casey a little bit and said, ‘Hey man, can I get a play or so (in)?’ And he said, ‘Well, only if it’s Cover 2.’  So if I get some help over the top, they may let me get in.” – Okung, via Chargers.com

I say let the big man play! He’s athletic and if he plays well enough, he could back up Hayward in the 2018 NFL season (kidding). Plus, seeing the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Okung play a position where one weighs roughly 100 pounds less would be a sight to see.

Speaking of Hayward, he’s letting his AFC teammates, specifically Jaguars’ Jalen Ramsey, know that he’s the best corner in the league.

1 minute of #ProBowl DBs arguing over who's the best one.

Who ya got? pic.twitter.com/XnxCEgbgxs

— ESPN (@espn) January 27, 2018

Be sure to watch Okung, Hayward, Melvin Ingram and Keenan Allen (Rivers and Joey Bosa gave up their spots) hit the field as the AFC takes on the NFC in Orlando, Fla. at 12 p.m. PT on ESPN.