LA Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz has become much more polarizing this offseason. Hortiz has done an excellent job spearheading a quick franchise reinvention alongside Jim Harbaugh, but Chargers fans want more.
After all, Harbaugh and Hortiz are yet to win a playoff game together. With an elite quarterback under center and the most cap space in the league this offseason, fans expected the Chargers to take swings and go all-in on a Super Bowl window that is limited.
Instead, the Chargers operated around the fringes. The worst of it comes on the offensive line, where the Chargers currently have Cole Strange penciled in to start at right guard and a slew of mediocre options competing for the starting left guard spot.
Thankfully, the Chargers don't appear to be resting on their laurels when it comes to left guard. At least, that's the perception Joe Hortiz gave with his latest promise.
Joe Hortiz: “We’re not done on the offensive line, I can promise you that.”
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) April 16, 2026
Joe Hortiz promises the Chargers will add more offensive line talent
Chargers fans will not take this promise lightly. If all Hortiz does is add a late-round draft pick or a nonconsequential free agent, his status will go from polarizing to despised. Hortiz is actively promising to add more talent to a position of dire need and that promise must be fulfilled with a noteworthy addition.
This all but guarantees that the Chargers will add offensive line talent in the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. While there are no guarantees in the draft, the Chargers have a much better chance of landing an impactful, starting-caliber player in the first two rounds than they do later in the draft.
And that addition will undoubtedly be to play left guard. The Chargers are all set at tackle, have their starting center in Tyler Biadasz, and for better or worse, have Strange at right guard. Left guard is still a glaring hole, and is one that Hortiz is verbally committing to.
The only hope now is that the Chargers land the right player. Just because a player is an early-round pick doesn't mean they are guaranteed to succeed. Look at Zion Johnson. And just because someone is signed to a notable contract does not mean they will raise the bar. Look at Mekhi Becton.
Adding offensive line talent is only half the battle. The Chargers have to add the right offensive line talent. If not, the Bolts will find themselves in the exact same position as last year with Herbert getting knocked around.
Hortiz's promise is great to hear and the hope is that he delivers on it with the right addition.
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