LA Chargers: Players who could be hurt the most by a virtual offseason
By Jason Reed
Certain LA Chargers players are hurt by a virtual offseason more than others.
The NFL, and the rest of the world for that matter, are in truly unprecedented times and the league has taken precaution and implemented a virtual offseason. While the status of the world and what is doable changes by the day, there is a concern that this could carry into OTAs and training camp, which would not be ideal.
Every team would be at a disadvantage, although some teams would have less of a burden than others. Established, contending teams with years of experience under their belt (like the Kansas City Chiefs) are less affected than a team that is undergoing a quarterback change (like the LA Chargers).
There are players on the Chargers that are more negatively affected by this as well, based on a myriad of factors. Here are the LA Chargers that are hurt the most by a virtual offseason, especially if it extends into training camp.
LA Chargers hurt the most by a virtual offseason: Trey Pipkins
Trey Pipkins is someone who we have written a lot about here at Bolt Beat. While there likely will be a position battle to be the starting left tackle, if all goes as planned and Pipkins performs as well as the team seemingly thinks he could, then the job is his to lose.
I am a lot higher on Pipkins than most Charger fans and I do think he could be a tangible starting left tackle. He did have some blunders last season but overall, the 2019 third-round pick showed a lot of promising signs.
Iron out some of those blunders and the Chargers have a quality left tackle. That is what training camp and the preseason are for; new offensive line coach James Campen can get his hands on Pipkins and maximize his untapped potential.
With a virtual offseason that won’t be the case and we could see how raw Pipkins really is as a left tackle prospect. Not only does that hurt his chances of starting, but it could drastically hurt the team’s offensive line if they do not have a suitable replacement in mind at left tackle.