The Chargers extended one of their better offensive linemen, giving Mike Pouncey one more year on his current deal.
Chargers news regarding an extension popped up for the first time in a while; unfortunately for some fans, it wasn’t for the running back they were hoping was returning. Instead, it’s for 2018 Pro-Bowl center Mike Pouncey, who joined the team last year after playing with the Miami Dolphins.
Pouncey was integral part of the improvement of the offensive line early on. Both Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler rushed for over five yards per carry with Pouncey under center. Having a veteran presence in the middle of the line was crucial, as the team had not had such a figure at center since Nick Hardwick.
The play of the offensive line declined later on, and although Pouncey was part of that decline he was certainly not the worst part of the starting five.
For his efforts, Pouncey was selected to the Pro-Bowl, and will now play with the Chargers through the 2020 season.
Chargers are signing C Mike Pouncey a one-year, $9 million extension that ties him to the team through the 2020 season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2019
So what does this mean for the offensive line?
For one, it means the Chargers aren’t putting Dan Feeney at center next season (for now), though he played over two-thirds of his preseason snaps at center, rather than at left guard. The Chargers are currently keeping Feeney at left guard, and if they are extending Pouncey, that means the only job Lamp is fighting for is the right guard position. With Feeney and Russell Okung locked up through 2020, it’s now up to Lamp to beat Schofield for a starting job.