Bradley Bozeman's baffling play at the center position has been a sticking point for LA Chargers fans all season. Bozeman was one of the worst starting centers in the league last season, returned, and has somehow been even worse in 2025.
The Chargers' offensive line is by far the worst in the NFL and it's not just because of injuries to the star tackles. The interior offensive line has been just as bad and Bozeman has been at the center of that dysfunction.
To make matters worse, backup center Andre James stirred the pot even more in Week 18. James started in place of Bozeman and had a serviceable game against a Denver Broncos team with everything to play for. It was by no means an excellent performance, but it was better than what the Chargers have gotten out of Bozeman thus far.
Naturally, offensive coordinator Greg Roman was asked about James' performance in that Week 18 game. Instead of applauding his own player, Roman decided to take the dismissive route instead.
"Last week’s game doesn’t matter anymore."Greg Roman on Andre James' Week 18 game
Greg Roman continues to make himself a villain with Chargers fans
Roman is already on thin ice with Chargers fans. Fans were skeptical of him being hired when it happened and he hasn't done much to earn the trust of the fanbase. Comments like these only make it worse.
It's pretty common for NFL teams to know the ins and outs about who is better on the roster and who gives the team a better chance of success. After all, figuring those problems out is their entire job, and there is so much more that goes on besides what fans see on Sundays.
That being said, this is a rare case where it actually feels like the team is too afraid to admit its wrong and give up on Bozeman. The ignorance card can't even be played considering the Chargers re-signed Bozeman when they really didn't have to this past offseason.
Is it realistic for the Chargers to change starting centers heading into the playoffs after the regular season? No. It's much different to swap out a guard than it is a center. Centers are the tip of the spear, which is why it's usually so detrimental when a team loses its starting center.
But this should have happened long ago. Or the Chargers should have at least given James an extended shot at the job. Instead, the Chargers rolled him out in Week 18 to outplay Bozeman, only to then completely kick dirt all over his strong performance.
It's hard to even understand why a coach would say this about his own player, especially coming off a strong game. The only answer is defensiveness with Roman seemingly wanting to get ahead of any conversations about why Bozeman is starting over James.