The Los Angeles Chargers, without a doubt, need to re-tool their offensive line in 2026.
If Mike McDaniel is the offensive coordinator, it is likely that both Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton will be cut. Left guard Zion Johnson is also a free agent, meaning that major changes could soon be coming for the Los Angeles front.
A recent piece from Mike Moraitis at The Sporting News presents an intriguing target. The Green Bay Packers will likely be moving on from left tackle Rasheed Walker in free agency, and the Chargers have enough cap space to go after virtually any target they truly need.
Yet with Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater returning from injury, Los Angeles doesn't need another tackle. Do they?
According to a rumor reported by The Athletic's Mike Silver back in September, a move to center for Slater could still be in play. Regardless of what one might think of signing Walker in free agency, such a move could open up a whole new world for the Chargers.
A move to center could still be in play for Rashawn Slater
It goes without saying that the losses of Alt and Slater were absolutely devastating for Los Angeles this season. Without their elite tackles, the struggles of the interior of the line were heavily magnified. The Chargers allowed the second-most sacks in the league, just behind the Las Vegas Raiders.
Alt's ankle injury is a concern, but it appears as though he'll be back fully healthy for 2026. Slater's ruptured patellar tendon presents a much greater reason for panic.
In Slater's five NFL seasons, he has suffered two season-ending injuries. He ruptured a bicep tendon in 2022 that limited him to just three games.
There has been talk in the past of moving Slater to center, both to fill the void at the position and to limit his injuries moving forward.
"Some Chargers decision-makers believe there's a scenario in which Slater, 26, could be shifted to center, with a viable chance to excel at a new position."Mike Silver
As of now, Los Angeles must focus on bringing a new center and a right guard through free agency and the draft. If Slater were to move to the interior, however, they could leave Alt at left tackle (where he played following Slater's injury) and instead focus on the tackle market.
This would leave a signing of a player like Walker in play. Braden Smith of the Indianapolis Colts is also a free agent this offseason.
It may not be the most likely move, but it's clear that a shift for Slater to center was in play at least at the start of the season. This flexibility could allow the Chargers to survey a whole new market this offseason.