The Los Angeles Chargers currently have a guard problem on their hands. But in the big picture, it may not matter.
Mike McDaniel seems content with what he currently has on the roster. Cole Strange was his guy back in Miami, and if he wasn’t confident in his ability to succeed on a line with Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, he wouldn’t be here. Trevor Penning is far from ideal, but with improvements expected at three of the five spots, there’s at least some hope he can be serviceable.
Still, it’s fair to ask: should the Chargers look at some of the veteran guards still available in free agency? Here are three options that could help keep their Super Bowl window open this season.
Veteran guards the Chargers can pursue after the NFL Draft:
Joel Bitonio
If Joel Bitonio isn’t ready to hang it up, a one-year run in Los Angeles could make a lot of sense. At 34, he’s nearing the end of his career, but he still brings a high football IQ and starting-level play. That’s exactly the type of addition the Chargers should be considering. With the cap space they still have, and the likelihood that any deal would be short-term, the risk is minimal.
Kevin Zeitler
Whether Kevin Zeitler is open to heading out west is the real question, but his ability is not. Even in 2025 with the Tennessee Titans, he showed he can still contribute at a high level. If not for a youth movement in Nashville, he’d likely still be there. Instead, he’s now in a position to join a contender. If the Chargers view themselves that way, Zeitler should at least get a call.
Greg Van Roten
While not as big a name as the first two, Greg Van Roten offers reliability. He’s been durable over the past few seasons and could provide stability while younger players develop. If the Chargers want to give their depth time to grow, adding a veteran like Van Roten could help bridge that gap without adding major pressure.
These players may be in the later stages of their careers (joking aside), but they still have enough left to help a team with championship aspirations. They don’t need to be long-term solutions. Think of them as short-term fixes who can come in, do their job, and move on.
If that’s the role they play, it would be more than enough for a Chargers team trying to compete right now. Joe Hortiz has done well in adding potential long-term pieces. Now it might be time to pick up the phone and bring in someone who can help this team win in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on Google