The biggest external signing the LA Chargers made with the team's ample cap space on the first day of NFL free agency was none other than Najee Harris. Harris signed a one-year contract with the Bolts as he presumably replaces J.K. Dobbins as the lead back.
The Harris signing was met with a mixed response. On one hand, the Chargers have someone who is extremely durable and has recorded over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his four seasons. On the other hand, the Chargers let a prominent free agent walk for the same price to sign someone who averages fewer than four yards per carry in his career.
Love it or hate it, there is one direction the Chargers must now take. The Chargers need to set Harris up to succeed in Los Angeles and with how the roster currently looks, the Bolts are not set up to do that. If Harris is going to succeed, the Chargers need to add to the interior offensive line.
Chargers must sign Kevin Zeitler after signing Najee Harris
Harris has averaged 3.9 yards per carry in his career behind a Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line that has been inconsistent. Unfortunately, despite having elite tackles on either side, Harris is walking into a similar situation in Los Angeles.
The Chargers' interior offensive line is rough and the team didn't do anything to address it on the first day of free agency. Los Angeles simply re-signed Bradley Bozeman, who was one of the worst centers in the sport last season.
As it stands right now, the Chargers are set up to run it back with Bozeman at center, Zion Johnson at left guard and Trey Pipkins at right guard. If this is the starting unit the team rolls into 2025 with it will be an abject failure.
Los Angeles needs offensive line help and they should look no further than Kevin Zeitler. Zeitler has strong ties to the Chargers due to his three-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens and is exactly what the Chargers need in a stopgap option.
The veteran guard put together an excellent season for the Detroit Lions in 2024, proving to be exactly what the Chargers need. Zeitler was one of the best run blockers in the NFL, finishing with the third-best run-blocking grade among 135 guards on Pro Football Focus.
Zeitler held his own as a pass-blocker, too. He was by no means elite as a pass-blocker but he certainly held his own. Among the 53 guards with at least 500 pass-blocking snaps, Zeitler tied for the 12th-best pass-blocking efficiency. For comparison's sake, Trey Pipkins and Zion Johnson tied for 44th.
Zeitler wouldn't solve the team's issue at center and the Bolts would still need to find someone to start over Bozeman. But he would provide a substantial upgrade at guard both in the run game and the pass game.
The Chargers have more than enough cap space to overspend slightly to get Zeitler in LA. It's a no-brainer to help both Harris and Justin Herbert.