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The Los Angeles Chargers have made their priorities on offense clear this offseason. They are building a balanced attack with a heavier focus on the run game, and a more physical team that can protect quarterback Justin Herbert.
They've shown this goal multiple times this offseason. They signed center Bradley Bozeman in free agency, and drafted offensive tackle Joe Alt No. 5 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite a glaring need for a wide receiver, they did opt to take Alt over a star WR prospect like Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze. Alt is considered by many to be a generational offensive line prospect, making him worthy of the No. 5 pick, even with two great receivers also available.
These additions will join Rashawn Slater, Trey Pipkins, and Zion Johnson in forming what appears like it will be a much-improved offensive line. This will be key for protecting Herbert after the Chargers gave up 43 sacks in 2023. This was the 13th most in the NFL in 2023. The top offensive lines in the NFL allowed less than 40 or even 35 sacks in the season.
One of the most egregious occasions was against the Buffalo Bills in December of last year, when the Chargers allowed five sacks to the Bills in the loss.
With the Chargers re-forming their offensive line, they expect to play more physically, establish the run, and keep defenders away from Herbert. If successful, expect the Chargers to improve as a team next year.
More must-reads:
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- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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Browns make official Deshaun Watson move before training camp
Most Cleveland Browns fans do not expect to see Deshaun Watson play another snap for their beloved yet perpetually tortured franchise. He is not going anywhere until after the 2025-26 season, however. Will this controversial, declining and largely unhealthy quarterback have a chance to audition for another job at some point in this upcoming campaign? Before answering that question, the three-time Pro Bowler has to get on the practice field. And that will take a while. As expected, the Browns placed Watson on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 29-year-old ruptured his right Achilles tendon in an Oct. 20 loss versus the Cincinnati Bengals. He then suffered a re-tear in January, causing many to wonder if he will suit up at all this season. Watson is nonetheless maintaining a presence in Cleveland’s QB room and is determined to return in 2025. Second-year defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. joins him on the PUP list, and wide receiver David Bell is landing on the Active/Non-Football Injury list. Rounding out the series of roster moves, the Browns are waiving WR Jaelen Gill. The team begins training camp practice on Wednesday, with plenty of matters to address. Although Watson will command attention as long as he is on Cleveland, fans are eager to know who the starting quarterback will be when the Brownies host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. A tight and intriguing QB competition is set to unfold, following a confounding offseason. Browns have to figure out their QB situation Cleveland acquired former first-round pick Kenny Pickett in March, signed veteran and 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Joe Flacco in April, selected Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft and then snatched Shedeur Sanders in the fifth. Given the assets the organization spent to obtain the three younger signal-callers, the cleanest thing to do is part ways with the 40-year-old Flacco and head into the season with three quarterbacks. And yet, because of his wealth of experience, many would probably argue that the Super Bowl 47 MVP deserves to start under center until one of the others earns the job. Pickett appears to be the early favorite, but there could be plenty of twists and turns before summer’s end. The Deshaun Watson element also adds another layer to this perplexing saga. If the 2016 national champion does return to action during the 2025-26 campaign, then Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski will have a decision to make. It may not be a difficult one, however. During his first three years with the Browns, Watson has completed only 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,365 yards and 19 touchdowns. The squad is 9-10 in games that he starts. Regardless of how his recovery progresses, it seems safe to say that No. 4 and his five-year, $230 million contract will serve as a black eye on a Browns organization that is already covered in gashes.
14-Year NBA Veteran Slams Disrespect Toward Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant
Kendrick Perkins hit it on the nose. On his most recent ESPN appearance, the former New Orleans Pelicans center spoke on the recent discourse surrounding Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. He didn't mince words. "The disrespect need to f***ing stop man," he said. "Every time I look up, it's something different. 'Kobe wasn't this. Kobe wasn't a primary defender.'" More often than not, comparisons and criticisms come from fanbases looking to pick fights. Even perhaps the most debated comparison — LeBron James and Michael Jordan — has been debunked by both players. The same goes for NBA players who played alongside Bryant. "Kobe was like that on both ends of the floor," Perkins continued. "Kob was locking ... up, especially when it mattered most. Especially in the postseason. Kob wanted smoke. Top three most skilled player to ever play the game of basketball ... he's Jordan offensively." Perkins isn't exactly known for his sound basketball opinions, but when it comes to Bryant, he had it right. And he was willing to stand by it. "When it comes to Kobe and where he ranks on the all-time great list," he said. "I got him top ten. I'm actually tired of debating ... about where guys rank and things of that nature. He's top-ten in my eyes." Related Articles Pelicans Executive Gets Honest On Zion Williamson's Future Lakers Insider Discusses Potential Zion Williamson Fit With Luka Dončić Ex-NBA Champion Criticizes Clippers' Signing of Chris Paul Los Angeles Lakers Make Big Decision On Ex-Pelicans Center
WNBA All-Star Game ratings paint a troubling picture
WNBA players sent a message to the league with T-shirts they wore ahead of the All-Star Game on Saturday night, but the ratings for the game did not exactly strengthen their stance. Prior to the All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., Caitlin Clark and other players warmed up in shirts that said “Pay us what you owe us” across the front. The message had to do with the current state of collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the WNBA and WNBA Player’s Association. Unfortunately for the players, the television ratings for the game were not very good. Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported on Tuesday that the WNBA All-Star Game drew 2.19 million viewers on ABC, which was down roughly 36% from a year ago. Last year’s game featured the WNBA All-Stars against the Team USA squad that was preparing to compete in the Summer Olympics in Paris. The dip in ratings is likely another example of the type of impact Clark has had on the WNBA. Although she was a team captain for this year’s All-Star Game, Clark did not play due to a groin injury. Clark played in last year’s game for the All-Star side, as she did not make the Team USA Olympic roster. Many fans were outraged that she was snubbed from the Olympic team, which added an element of intrigue to the All-Star Game. There is no way of knowing for certain whether more fans would have watched the All-Star Game on Saturday night had Clark played. It is a safe guess, however, especially when you look at some recent trends for the league.
NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal Makes Personal Announcement
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is widely considered one of the greatest players in basketball history. Helping lead the Los Angeles Lakers to three straight NBA titles alongside Kobe Bryant, O'Neal finished his career with four championships, three Finals MVP awards, 15 All-Star appearances, a league MVP award, and four scoring titles. While he is well-known for his dominance on the court, O'Neal has been a steady presence in the media since his retirement. One member of the Inside the NBA crew, which just completed its final season on TNT, O'Neal has stayed in the spotlight after his playing days. The 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer has also been very active in the community. On Monday, O'Neal made a personal announcement via his foundation about a new community effort they just completed. The former Lakers center has opened a sixth "Comebaq Court" for kids to play on. The official Instagram page for O'Neal's foundation shared the following: "Last Monday, we officially opened our 6th Comebaq Court! In partnership with @IcyHot and the Boys Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas at Gloria Williams Park, we unveiled a state-of-the-art space where kids can dream big and play hard—right in the heart of a park named for a true community hero. Because every kid deserves a safe place to play!" O'Neal is known for being very philanthropic. According to Spotrac, he made over $286 million in NBA career earnings, and has added to that significantly off the court. Using his resources for good, O'Neal and his foundation are doing impactful work in the community.
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