The Los Angeles Chargers, through the two days of the legal tampering period, have focused primarily on rebuilding their offensive line and their run protection. But not in the way anyone expected.
Rather than leaping for one of the premier free agents on the market such as Tyler Linderbaum or even one of the mid-tier targets such as Isaac Seumalo or Elgton Jenkins, the Chargers have instead brough in a trio of underwhelming linemen. They have agreed to bring back both Trevor Penning and Trey Pipkins III while also adding Cole Strange from the Miami Dolphins.
On the surface, none of these signings are particularly bad. One of Los Angeles's greatest weaknesses last season was their lack O-line depth. Pipkins, Strange, and Penning would be able to address this in an ideal world.
But the problem starts to show itself once you consider the Chargers' cap allocation strategy. Would they really commit $27.5 million over two years to three backups?
Pipkins' signing, therefore, could indicate that the plan is to start Strange at right guard— a disastrous scenario indeed.
Trey Pipkins' signing all but confirms the plan is to start Cole Strange
Heading into 2026, the Chargers offensive line needed a major overhaul. Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton were two of the least effective players at their positions last season. Bringing in replacements for them was Los Angeles's primary task this offseason.
The Biadasz signing is a solid one. By grabbing him ahead of free agency, the Chargers added a reliable starter without gambling on the market on Linderbaum or McGovern. But their answer for Becton could be absolutely disastrous.
Since being selected 29th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Strange has struggled to find his footing in the league. Although he had the best season of his career with the Dolphins in 2025, he still finished 58th among 81 qualified guards in overall protection grade per Pro Football Focus.
If he were simply a backup, there wouldn't be much to worry about here. But with Zion Johnson's departure to the Cleveland Browns, the Chargers now have two starting guard spots open. With the way the team has distributed its finances so far, it truly seems as though Strange is slated for one of those spots. Three backup linemen at the price they've paid for each one is, frankly, a redundancy.
As free agency approached, the Chargers had the most cap space in the NFL. What they've done so far with it has been majorly disappointing.
It remains to be seen who they'll target over the remainder of the offseason. But if the plan is truly for Strange to start at right guard, it will truly be a disaster.