The LA Chargers' interior offensive line is not in the best shape. It is a bad sign for a guard or center's NFL career if they are unable to even get the chance to compete for a roster spot in Los Angeles.
That is exactly where Brenden Jaimes and Sam Mustipher found themselves this offseason. Despite having a thin interior offensive line, the Chargers opted against bringing back the two linemen this offseason. In fact, the Chargers didn't even sign the pair to Reserve/Future contracts for the 2025 practice squad.
With no real interest during the initial wave of free agency, it was fair to question if either player had a true NFL career ahead of them. Those questions were recently answered as the Tennessee Titans have opted to take a chance on the two offensive linemen, signing both on Thursday.
Titans strengthen former player bond with Chargers
Not only are the Titans saving Jaimes and Mustipher's NFL careers but the team is strengthening the current bond with the Chargers. Los Angeles has brought in several former Titans since Joe Hortiz was hired as GM last offseason. The Titans have brought in former Chargers of their own in Sebastian Joseph-Day and Kenneth Murray (later trading Murray to the Dallas Cowboys).
Jaimes and Mustipher are now added to the list of players with connective tissue between the Chargers and Titans. Whether or not the two players actually make the 53-man roster out of training camp remains to be seen.
Jaimes was drafted by the Chargers in the fifth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The fifth-round pick never developed past being a third-string center/break-glass-in-case-of-emergency guard option. He started three games in four years with the Bolts.
Mustipher was not drafted by the Chargers, as he followed Hortiz from the Baltimore Ravens. The undrafted free agent spent three years with the Chicago Bears and a year with the Ravens before joining the Chargers last season.
Mustipher's play was porous during his chances in the preseason and he didn't do much better in the limited playing time he received during the season. It's no surprise the Chargers had no intention of re-signing him after the 2024 season.
In addition to the cheap fliers the Chargers signed for offensive line depth, the team will almost certainly replace any departing linemen with selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.