Now that they have cemented much of their coaching staff for 2026, the Los Angeles Chargers must turn toward their most pressing need: the reconstruction of the interior of their offensive line.
Left guard Zion Johnson is a free agent. Both Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton are unlikely to return next year due to their mismatch with Mike McDaniel's scheme.
With Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater set to return, a revamped interior could grant the Chargers the protection they need to truly contend. With ample cap space and a first-round pick, this should be easily doable through free agency and the draft.
Yet the temptation could linger this offseason to take a major swing on a center or guard who has fallen out of his current team's graces. According to Joel Corry at CBS Sports, both center Elgton Jenkins of the Green Bay Packers and right tackle Jawaan Taylor of the Kansas City Chiefs could fall into that category this offseason.
Los Angeles must resist the temptation at all costs.
The Chargers must target either trusted veterans or promising young players to revamp their OL
Jenkins and Taylor will not be the only examples of offensive linemen who could be traded this offseason, but they are likely the most prominent.
Jenkins was moved to center for Green Bay after his struggles at left guard. He was limited to just nine games in 2025 with a lower leg fracture. Disputes about his contract have left him in a tenuous situation with his organization.
His cap hit for 2026 sits at just over $24 million.
Taylor, meanwhile, has not been the solution on the right side of the offensive line that Kansas City envisioned when they inked his massive extension. According to Pro Football Focus, he was 80th among 89 qualifying tackles in his overall protection grade in 2025. The Chiefs have Jaylon Moore ready to replace him were they to move on this offseason.
Taylor's cap hit for 2026 sits at just over $27 million.
Conceivably, both of these players would be available through trade for minimum draft capital if their relationships with their teams continue to sour.
But the Chargers have other options. At the end of the first round, they will likely have their pick of either guard Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State or center Connor Lew out of Auburn. In free agency, players like Connor McGovern, Isaac Seumalo, or Kevin Zeitler will come at significantly cheaper price tags than Taylor and Jenkins.
Although there may be the temptation to take a big swing given the way their moves to fix the offensive line have played out over the past couple of seasons, the safer and smarter route undeniably avoids the trade market.
Keep Jenkins and Taylor out of mind.