Chargers fans' nightmare turns into a reality during voluntary OTAs

While there is a long way to go until the start of the 2025 season, voluntary OTAs and rookie minicamp can still give LA Chargers fans an idea of what to expect in the upcoming season. At the very least, they can reveal the current pecking order on the depth chart.

There is plenty of time for changes to happen before Week 1 and Chargers fans will definitely hope the offensive line looks different than the unit that was rolled out during voluntary OTAs.

With Rashawn Slater not present, the Chargers rolled out a starting five of Trey Pipkins, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton and Joe Alt. Bozeman maintaining his lead as the Chargers' starting center has fans beyond concerned.

Chargers fans' Bradley Bozeman nightmare comes true at OTAs

Fans were shocked when Bozeman was re-signed in the first place as he was statistically one of the worst starting centers in the sport in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, Bozeman allowed the fourth-most quarterback pressures of any center with 30. His 97.3 pass-block efficiency rating was fifth-worst among all centers with 500 pass-blocking snaps.

Fans were even more shocked when head coach Jim Harbaugh alluded to Bozeman being the starting center earlier this offseason. If protecting Justin Herbert is the No. 1 priority, starting Bozeman seems counterproductive.

But alas, Bozeman's presence as a locker-room leader has given him the head start over Andre James for the starting center position. James took reps with the second unit, and as things stand, appears to be Bozeman's backup.

If the 2023 version of James comes back then he should have no problem usurping Bozeman on the depth chart as long as personal feelings don't weigh into the decision. However, if James plays like he did last season then it won't be much of a difference anyway.

All this is concerning for Chargers fans who watched Herbert get mauled in the NFL Playoffs against the Houston Texans. While the team did add Mekhi Becton at right guard, the Bolts are still rolling into 2025 with the same left guard-center combo that operated as a turnstile last season.

Becton, Slater and Alt will have to do a lot of heavy lifting on the Chargers' offensive line in 2025. Hopefully, the trio's top-tier play can rub off on the members of the starting offensive line who need it.

Bozeman, unfortunately, being one of them.