For the first time in Chargers training camp on Tuesday, the team will put on the pads. Five players have taken first-team reps at LG to this point. That group includes Kayode Awosika, Jake Slaughter, Trevor Penning, Trey Pipkins III, and Branson Taylor. To this point at least, the Chargers have been honest about this being an open competition.
HC Jim Harbaugh rarely provides updates on competitions that are going on during camp. But he broke character a bit on Tuesday at his press conference and gave some honest thoughts on the state of the race.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh admits LG Kayode Awosika is in the lead to start.
On Awosika, Harbaugh said he's been the most consistent. He went as far as to say Awosika is "in the lead". Of the left guard candidates, the former Lions OL has gotten the most work at guard there between OTAs, minicamp, and training camp.
Trey Pipkins was the next name Harbaugh mentioned as one of their "top five" linemen on the team. "We really think he could play and be a really good starting left guard," Harbaugh claimed.
Harbaugh referred to Pipkins as an asset at both guard and swing tackle.
Trevor Penning was then mentioned as working his way back into the LG competition mix. Penning got some first-team reps last week after being injured for most of OTAs and minicamp. He was buried down the rotations a little bit until now as he rehabbed the injury.
On rookie Jake Slaughter, Harbaugh said that he is "way ahead of schedule" and "in the mix" for the LG job.
Branson Taylor was the last name mentioned by LA's head coach. He got first-team LG reps for the first time last week. "He's really asserted himself as a possible starting left guard," Harbaugh said.
"It bodes well for us, it's all positive," Harbaugh said of the competition.
Pipkins got the start on the first day of pads. It's a notable development, even if all of these candidates probably will probably get a shot in the race. In ranking the candidates, the order feels something like Awosika, Slaughter, Pipkins, Penning, and then Taylor rounding out the group.
Harbaugh said his timeline for deciding the race was likely the next 9-12 practices, or as he referred to it, "the next 10". The Chargers don't have to decide the race particularly early, but it would be nice for the eventual starting five to get as much continuity with practicing together as possible.
We'll see how the following weeks of training camp play out. But the left guard competition is officially underway after the first padded practice in San Diego.
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