NFL writer sends a painful reminder to Scott Matlock as Chargers' roster crystallizes

Now that the Los Angeles Chargers have crossed the June 1 threshold, it's time for players to really start earning their way onto the roster.

The Chargers will have their fair share of intriguing positional battles, especially along the offensive line and among the edge-rusher room. But out of last year's contributors, perhaps no player is in more immediate danger than Scott Matlock.

TEs coach Chandler Henley announced earlier this offseason that Matlock would be making a move to tight end after the Chargers upgraded his position with their addition of Alec Ingold. But ESPN writer Ben Solak, in his piece on every team's most improved position group this offseason, pointed out just how deep Los Angeles is from a blocking perspective, especially among their tight ends.

"New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, off the Shanahan tree, will feature a player like Kolar as a lead blocker on the move in his diverse running game... With Alec Ingold entrenched as a bona fide fullback, the Chargers will actually get production out of personnel diversity this season. The depth of their tight ends room is a big reason why." Ben Solak, ESPN

Although Solak didn't name Matlock directly, his analysis sends a painful message to the fourth-year contributor. As enticing as a switch to tight end might seem, Matlock's services ultimately aren't needed on this current iteration of the roster.

Scott Matlock might not survive another positional switch this offseason

Matlock is a Jim Harbaugh guy, through and through. He came into the league as a defensive tackle. But when he failed to carve out a consistent role on defense, the coaching staff made an opening for him at fullback. In 2025, he played 31% of the team's offensive snaps.

Ingold will be slated for a similar role, but he has significantly more experience than Matlock does as a blocker out of the backfield.

But as Solak notes, the Chargers' blocking improvements didn't stop there. They inked Charlie Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million contract early in free agency. It was slightly above market value, but it signaled their intention to use Kolar in a high-leverage role within the offense. They also added David Njoku, who will likely be used both as a blocker and a pass-catcher, on a one-year deal after the Draft.

Matlock may be tough and gritty, but Solak's analysis is 100% correct. While the Chargers were a heavier team under Greg Roman, their additions this offseason have improved their blocking capabilities immensely.

It's difficult to see Matlock carving out a role within this offense, especially considering his deficits as an in-line blocker relative to a player like Kolar.

With the additions of Nick Barrett and Dalvin Tomlinson, there's likely no room for Matlock to slide back to the defensive side of the ball, either. Therefore, as much as the Chargers' coaching staff might project optimism about Matlock's future, Solak's analysis indicates a much more difficult path for Matlock than the team is willing to publicly admit.

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