The Los Angeles Chargers did not end the 2024 NFL season how they wanted to, but Jim Harbaugh laid down an incredible foundation in his first year as head coach. With several strong offseason moves, the Chargers are expected to be right back in the thick of things in a loaded AFC.
Unfortunately, the injury bug was going through camp a bit, which tempered expectations. Then, a major domino fell on Thursday when star left tackle Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon, and the team announced that he would miss the entire 2025 season.
Not only is this an emotional blow for the locker room, but Slater just got paid $114 million over four years for being one of the best left tackles in the NFL. Now, the Chargers will have to reshuffle their offensive line and move Joe Alt to left tackle and employ Trey Pipkins III on the right side.
Jim Harbaugh plans to work out tackles after brutal Rashawn Slater injury
The idea of Pipkins being reinserted into the starting lineup is not overly exciting for Chargers fans, however. He was moved to right guard last year after several years of underperforming at right tackle, so this feels like a step back for the team.
Fortunately, Harbaugh is well aware of this, as he told reporters on Friday that he was going to look outside of the building to bolster the tackle position.
"We are going to work some guys out and figure (out) who is the best for that job," Harbaugh said. "Could be a swing tackle."
At this point in the offseason, the free agent market is relatively bare. But there are a handful of options still available that the Chargers could add into the mix and increase the competition they already have in the offensive line room.
RELATED: Chargers may be forced to reshuffle offensive line after Rashawn Slater injury
One is Jedrick Wills Jr., a former top-10 pick in the NFL Draft who played the last five seasons with the Cleveland Browns. His Pro Football Focus grades were nothing to get too excited about, and he has played exclusively left tackle at the professional level. However, he has tons of starting experience and could be a good reclamation project.
A versatile piece like Oli Udoh or Isaiah Wynn could be intriguing for Harbaugh and his staff as well. Both of these veterans have logged plenty of snaps at both tackle spots in the NFL, and they can also kick inside to guard in a bind.
It is unknown exactly who Harbaugh will be bringing into the building to evaluate. But it sounds like the second-year coach is fully aware that the team needs to make a move in the wake of Slater's devastating injury.