Chargers 2025 position preview: Offensive line has two potential open spots

USA Today

05-03-2025

Chargers 2025 position preview: Offensive line has two potential open spots
The Chargers have done a lot of work to rebuild their offensive line over the last few years. This year's draft has been their primary source of finding such talent. That was on full display when they took Joe Alt with the fifth overall pick in last year's draft.
With Jim Harbaugh at the helm, the team will only continue to invest heavily in the offensive line. They have built an improving unit with three legitimate young studs that are a part of Los Angeles' long-term plans.
There's still room for improvement, most notably at the center position.
With that being said, it's time to preview the whole offensive line heading into the offseason.
Under contract
Joe Alt ($7.6M cap hit)
Alt is set to enter his second season in the NFL in 2025. Expect him to take a step forward after he enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign in 2024. The sky is the limit for the former Notre Dame product. He has legitimate potential to become the best tackle in football.
Karsen Barnhart ($840K cap hit)
Barnhart was signed to a reserve/future free-agent deal over a month ago. He played five years at Michigan in college, so the connection is there with Harbaugh and company. We'll see how he performs when the team gets together this summer.
Zion Johnson ($4.7M cap hit)
After he was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Johnson has started 49 games in his first three seasons. The former Boston College guard did allow five sacks in 2024, which is a bit more than one would like to see. He has still shown plenty of promise to be a long-term option at the position, but 2025 will be a huge season for him.
Trey Pipkins ($9.3M cap hit)
Pipkins is under contract for one more season, but the team would save $6.8 million by cutting him. That feels like a no-brainer decision after his subpar 2024 season. I highlighted him as an obvious cap casualty candidate earlier this offseason, which seems likely to happen.
Pipkins has spent all six years of his NFL career with the Chargers and has started 46 games over his last three years. The team can opt to find a cheaper (and younger) option in free agency or via the draft.
Jamaree Salyer ($3.3M cap hit)
Salyer started 31 games between 2022 and 2023 but was mostly relegated to the bench this past season. The 2022 sixth-rounder was still used as a fill-in starter, as he still started four games. Salyer went from playing 99% of the team's offensive snaps in 2023 to just 32% this past season. He's still a nice depth piece to have, considering his starting experience in the league.
Rashawn Slater ($19.0M cap hit)
Slater remains one of the most dominant offensive tackles in all of football. In his fourth season in the league in 2024, he earned his second career trip to the Pro Bowl. Between Slater and Alt, the Chargers have arguably the best tackle duo for at least one more season.
Slater has just one year remaining on his rookie deal, as he is set to make over $19 million with the fifth-year option. The Chargers have begun to have extension talks with the former Northwestern product, as he is a key part of this team's future.
Pending free agents
Bradley Bozeman
Based on his play in 2024, one would think the Chargers would not want to bring Bozeman back. The veteran center was a liability throughout the season in his first year with the team.
After the conclusion of the season, Harbaugh said that he wanted guys like Bozeman back. Even if the team does bring him back on a cheap deal, they must bring in some legitimate competition for that starting spot.
Sam Mustipher
Mustipher started 40 games in Chicago but has since made just three starts in the last two years. The interior lineman played 105 offensive snaps for the Chargers this past season. He was quite subpar in pass protection, and it may be best if these two sides move on from each other this offseason.
Brenden Jaimes
The former fifth-rounder's rookie contract is officially over. Jaimes appeared in 46 games with the team and made three starts. He was quite solid in pass protection in limited action in 2024. Jaimes could return as a training camp body, but beyond that, his future with this team seems murky.
Foster Sarell
Like a few other names on this list, Sarell could return as a training camp body. He hasn't started a game since 2022 and has played just 88 offensive snaps over the last two seasons. Sarell has appeared in 115 special teams snaps in that span, but he would have to make some significant improvements to land back on the Chargers' 53-man roster in 2025.
2025 Outlook
This group should only continue to improve with some possible reinforcements on the interior as well as the growth of the young guys. With a step forward, this could be one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.