Finding a new starting right guard and center is imperative for the LA Chargers this offseason. As great as the team's tackle duo is, the Chargers' loss to the Houston Texans in the NFL Playoffs highlighted a dire need for more talent on the interior offensive line.
The Chargers have both NFL free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft to find starters in either position. With the options available in both avenues, the most likely scenario is signing a free-agent right guard and drafting the starting center of the future.
There is just one problem: just about every team in the NFL is looking for offensive line help so the market will be robust. As if the current competition wasn't enough, a new threat has entered the market thanks to a sudden retirement — the Dallas Cowboys.
Zack Martin's retirement makes the Cowboys a threat to the Chargers
Zack Martin has officially called it a career after 11 seasons with the Cowboys including nine Pro Bowls and seven All-Pros. The future Hall of Famer is leaving an irreplaceable hole at right guard that the Cowboys will have to scramble to fill.
This puts the Cowboys in the same market the Chargers are operating in. This likely does not impact the top of the market as Dallas is not in a situation to throw market-setting money at Trey Smith. However, the Chargers may not be shopping at the top of the market, either, because of how much Smith may cost.
Thus, the Chargers and Cowboys may be shopping in the same market and may be targeting the same right guards. The likes of Kevin Zeitler and Mekhi Becton make up this middle tier of right guards and if the Chargers don't land Smith, it is imperative to sign someone in this class.
This also could alter the 2025 NFL Draft for the Chargers. Say neither team signs a free-agent right guard. It could be a situation where Dallas wants a more cost-effective option and the Chargers instead opted to sign a new starting center.
With Dallas picking ahead of the Chargers they will have a chance every single round to steal someone who the Chargers may covet. Whether it be the first round or day two of the draft, the Cowboys could throw a wrench in the Chargers' draft plans.
None of this would be a threat if Martin was playing in 2025. Instead, the Chargers have one more team to compete against in a right guard market that is already projected to be competitive.
At least Dallas is not known for making the savviest moves in free agency or the draft. The Chargers at least have that going for them.