While the season-ending injuries to tackles Rashawn Slater (who was lost during training camp) and Joe Alt (who went down midway through the year) obviously contributed to the Los Angeles Chargers' issues on the offensive line this past season, there's no getting around the fact that a big bulk of the Bolts' problems were on the interior.
But that interior will have an all-new look in 2026. Center Bradley Bozeman, of course, opted for retirement and has been replaced by Tyler Biadasz. Right guard Mekhi Becton, who was signed at this time a year ago, was a massive disappointment and was recently released, thus saving the Chargers $9.7 million against the salary cap. And left guard Zion Johnson is gone as well, agreeing to terms with the Cleveland Browns on Monday to a three-year, $49.5 million deal.
After making a couple of other moves of their own on Monday, the Chargers finally got around to addressing the offensive line late in the day, first re-signing Trevor Penning, who they acquired in a trade with the New Orleans Saints just ahead of the deadline last November in the aftermath of Alt's injury. Penning could be used as simply a swing tackle, but he was playing full-time at left guard in New Orleans before his departure, so we'll see what happens there.
But Penning wasn't the only addition the Bolts made, as they quickly followed up by inking former first-round pick Cole Strange to a two-year, $13 million contract, thus reuniting the now-former Miami Dolphin with Mike McDaniel (and Alec Ingold). It's not the worst move in the world by any stretch of the imagination, but it's certainly not the best either, especially given the ample amount of salary cap space Los Angeles has at its disposal. But it can certainly still work if done correctly.
Cole Strange could conceivably start for the Chargers, but he'd be better suited in a swing role
Taken by the New England Patriots with the 29th overall selection in 2022, Strange was a surprise pick, as many called for him to go in the third or even the fourth round that year.
Nevertheless, the Chattanooga alum started all 17 games for the Pats as a rookie, although he didn't fare overly well, as his 54.6 overall PFF grade ranked 61st among 78 qualifying guards that year. He was playing far better football in his second season before a torn patellar tendon in his left knee cut his campaign short and also cost him the vast majority of the 2024 season.
Strange was cut by New England ahead of this past season, and after spending roughly two weeks on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad, he was signed to the Dolphins' active roster after James Daniels was placed on injured reserve.
Strange ultimately stuck around and started all 14 games in which he appeared for Miami. Once again, though, his performance was underwhelming, as his 54.9 overall PFF mark ranked 58th among 81 eligible players at his position.
His 57.0 run-blocking grade was a bit better at 51st, but his 42.2 pass-blocking grade ranked a woeful 75th, and that can't be what Justin Herbert is looking for at the moment after taking 54 sacks during the regular season in 2025, the third-most in the NFL, and another six in the Chargers' wild-card loss to the Patriots.
Now, one would assume that Strange will at least get a chance to compete for one of the two guard slots. But the best move for the Chargers here will be to pencil him in as a backup/swing/emergency starter option and continue searching for an upgrade. And that upgrade could still come in free agency, as plenty of solid players remain in that regard, or the Bolts could go looking for interior help in next month's draft.
Look, having a young guy who already has 43 NFL starts to his credit is a nice thing to have, especially when that guy is familiar with the offensive coordinator. But Strange simply isn't the answer the Chargers are looking for in a starter.