Chargers may have found a new starting center with most recent free agent signing
A lot can change between now and the end of July, but as of right now, the Los Angeles Chargers may have just found their new starting center.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Chargers have agreed to a one-year contract with former Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman. It's just a one-year deal, but it's a move that at least helps out Justin Herbert more than recent ones the team has made.
Former #Panthers starting C Bradley Bozeman is signing a one-year deal with the #Chargers, source said. A veteran starter and leader who should make a huge impact in the new regime. pic.twitter.com/NZFGRa4ggZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2024
Bozeman was drafted in the 6th round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and spent the first four years of his career playing for now-Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman in Baltimore. Adding him doesn't come as much of a shock given how much Roman and head coach Jim Harbaugh are remaking the offense in a brand new image.
That image is one that will feature a lot of running the ball.
After a career-best season with the Ravens in 2021, he signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. And while his production took a step back with Carolina, he remained as dependable as always: Bozeman's never played less than 14 games in a season and has appeared in at least 16 in each season since his rookie year.
Bozeman's been a staple on the offensive line for some of the most prolific run games in football over the last several years.
When he was playing left guard for the Ravens in 2019, they set NFL records for total rushing yards and points per game. The following year, after he moved to center, the Ravens' run game was a top-5 unit in both rushing yards per game and total offense. He also brings some valuable veteran leadership, as he was nominated to be the Panthers' 2023 Walter Payton Award candidate. On the field, Bozeman will now try and help improve a Chargers run game that finished 2023 ranked 24th in attempts, 25th in yards, and 27th in yards per attempt.
He'll most likely replace former center Corey Linsley, who missed 14 games this past season with a heart issue and is 99 percent likely to retire.
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