Chargers' Jim Harbaugh teases nightmare decision fans with loathe

Interior offensive line was the one position group on the LA Chargers that needed a definite upgrade this offseason. To do so, the Chargers signed former Philadelphia Eagles right guard Mekhi Becton and former Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James, who fans assumed would start in place of Bradley Bozeman.

Bozeman struggled immensely last season yet was brought back by the Chargers with many assuming it was because of his locker room presence. However, the Chargers may have bigger plans for the veteran offensive lineman.

In a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh broke down the team's offensive line and noticeably mentioned Bozeman without mentioning James. Harbaugh went as far as to call Bozeman the team's captain and center.

"Our two tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, Bradley Bozeman — our captain, our center," Harbaugh said. "Zion (Johnson) is back, Mekhi Becton has been at it — Trey Pipkins —that line is really starting to come together — Jamaree Salyer — it's going to be exciting to work with. We hit the field on Monday and I just feel like we are in a better place."

Jim Harbaugh alludes to Bradley Bozeman starting for the Chargers

Harbaugh isn't going to go into a radio hit and divulge the team's entire plans for the offensive line or bury someone who is a captain, but it is notable that he explicitly mentioned Bozeman without mentioning Andre James. The conversation quickly shifted to Ladd McConkey but Harbaugh still did not mention James once.

It's safe to say Chargers fans will be incredibly disappointed if Bozeman is starting at center in Week 1 and it may be the most likely outcome. After all, it's not like James is coming off a great year, either, and he does not have the same locker-room presence that Bozeman has.

Bozeman allowed 27 pressures and four sacks last season according to Pro Football Focus, both alarming numbers for a center. His 52.3 pass-blocking grade ranked 53rd among 64 centers last season.

For comparison, James ranked 26th with a 65.4 pass-blocking grade. However, his run-blocking was much worse than Bozeman's, which may be the deciding factor in Harbaugh's mind.

Bradley Bozeman — our captain, our center.Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh

Zion Johnson playing center is an option that has also been floated out this offseason, but it does not seem realistic. Johnson hasn't played center before and if the Chargers were convinced Johnson could do it, they wouldn't have signed James.

Plus, if Johnson plays center there isn't a good option to play left guard. Trey Pipkins struggled at right guard and isn't going to do any better switching sides. His value lies in being a swing tackle for the Bolts. Jamaree Salyer could be an option, but the Chargers didn't like him enough to consistently start him over Pipkins last year.

Bozeman has guard experience but hasn't played there in several years, so he would be better off sticking at center. James is a center through and through. Sixth-round pick Branson Taylor provides depth, but definitely should not start in his rookie year.

It's either Bozeman or James at starting center for the Bolts and based on Harbaugh's comments, it looks like it is going to be Bozeman.