The LA Chargers didn't wait for the start of NFL free agency to add to the offensive line, signing center Tyler Biadasz last week, days after he was released by the Washington Commanders. Once the legal tampering window opened on Monday, though, the Chargers got rather quiet.
Interior offensive line was the Bolts' biggest roster need heading into free agency, so one would expect the Chargers to make a quick move to address the guard position after adding a center. Instead, the Chargers stayed pat and even watched Zion Johnson sign a reasonable three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns.
The dust started to settle on Monday's mayhem and the Chargers finally made their first offensive line signing of the legal tampering window, and it was a name nobody expected: Trevor Penning. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chargers re-signed Penning to a one-year, $4.5 million contract.
Trevor Penning being the first Chargers' OL signing is disappointing
Obviously, the Chargers aren't signing Penning to be a starting offensive lineman for them in 2026. The team gave him swing tackle money and that's exactly what he will be next season: a swing tackle. It's the optics of the deal that make this disappointing.
Many fans were hoping to see something that inspired just a bit more hope out of the Chargers on Monday. It didn't have to be a big splash for Tyler Linderbaum and heck, it didn't even necessarily have to be re-signing Johnson. Fans just wanted something bigger than Penning to get excited about on the offensive line.
Also, if Penning is the guy the Chargers are turning to as the swing tackle... well, that's concerning. If the 2025 season taught the Chargers anything, it's the value of the swing tackle position. Obviously, the Chargers won't land a starting-caliber player to be the swing tackle, but there are certainly better options than Penning.
The Chargers even had better options in-house to explore. Both Trey Pipkins and Jamaree Salyer would have been better swing tackle options for the Bolts to sign over Penning. That's not to say the Chargers won't sign either of those players in the coming days, but Penning coming before them is questionable.
And if he's the only one they re-sign, well that's just indefensible.
As it stands right now, the Chargers still have to find a new starting right guard and left guard for the 2026 season. The 2026 NFL Draft will be a resource, but heading into a draft with two starting holes on the offensive line doesn't seem like the safest strategy. Hopefully, Joe Hortiz has something up his sleeve.