The Chargers signed former Ravens guard Ben Cleveland to their practice squad on Monday. Cleveland was cut by the Ravens after serving a three-game suspension for violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.
The suspension stemmed from a DUI he pleaded guilty to on November 4th. He fell out of Baltimore's rotation after losing a preseason competition to Daniel Faalele.
If a team was going to take a chance on Cleveland and sign him, it was likely to be Ravens West. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz was in Baltimore in 2021 when the Ravens selected the Georgia product in the third round.
Ben Cleveland gives the Chargers some emergency short-term aid and could play a role in their future.
It's unlikely that Cleveland will have much of an impact in the NFL Playoffs for the Chargers after being signed to the practice squad. If he gets into the starting rotation or is even activated, something likely went very wrong from an injury standpoint. Still, Cleveland is a player with system familiarity joining a team that has had injuries in almost every week along the offensive line. It certainly can't hurt to roll the dice.
The Chargers will also likely be looking past this season. Along the offensive line, the Chargers have seven internal free agents in 2026. That list includes RT Trey Pipkins III, LG Zion Johnson, OL Trevor Penning, RT Bobby Hart, C Andre James, OT Austin Deculus, and OL Jamaree Salyer. That's without even mentioning the possibility of cutting RG Mekhi Becton this offseason.
Los Angeles will certainly bring back some of those names, but they won't be able to retain all of their backups/depth pieces. Cleveland could be a decent dart throw if he's brought back next season to compete for a backup swing guard role. Signing him to the practice squad this year and possibly a one-year contract in the offseason is a buy-low move that generally fits the Hortiz mantra.
The Chargers will almost certainly be spending money and draft picks in free agency next year along the offensive line. But keep in mind that they have quite a few holes to fill. With just 33 players under contract next year, Los Angeles has just five draft picks. They have $100+ million in salary cap space as well, but a lot of that will need to be put towards retaining their current roster.
If Cleveland can essentially be had as cheap depth, the Chargers need to consider it with how much the rest of their offensive line could be uprooted this offseason.