Chargers’ Potential Bust Candidate Not a Stranger to Disappointment

“During free agency, the Los Angeles Chargers lost a below-average guard, Zion Johnson, and signed another subpar guard, Cole Strange. The latter’s shaky pass protection may cost him his starting job this year.”

“According to Pro Football Focus,” added Moton, “Strange allowed 21 pressures and two sacks over 451 pass-blocking snaps. In 2022, the New England Patriots overdrafted Strange in the first round. This offseason, the Chargers overpaid him on a two-year, $13 million deal. He may hold on to his job only to keep fellow disappointing 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning on the sideline.”

New Chargers’ G Cole Strange has struggled in four NFL seasons

Wow. That’s a lot of negativity regarding the 29th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga product started all 17 games as a rookie. Over the next two seasons, he played in a combined 13 outings, with a dozen starts. In April of 2025, the Pats declined his fifth-year option. Four months later, he was waived by New England.

Eventually, Strange landed with the Miami Dolphins, where he started the final 14 games for Mike McDaniel’s club. His 54.9 grade from PFF this past season is nearly identical to his rookie year (54.6) with the Patriots. Hence, the trepidation is certainly understandable. Now Strange is with his third NFL team in as many years.

Chargers’ offensive line issues were well-documented last season

The Bolts’ offensive front was a disaster in 2025. Injuries to starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt were nothing short of devastating, and the three primary starters on the inside from a year ago—Johnson (Browns), center Bradley Bozeman (retired), and right guard Mekhi Becton (released and currently unsigned)—are no longer with the team for various reasons.

Meanwhile, Hortiz not only added Strange, but used four of his eight draft choices on the offensive line, The quartet is led by second-round pick Jake Slaughter (Florida), who will make the conversion from center to guard.

Harbaugh and company can’t afford another rough year from its offensive front. And it will be interesting to see how Strange fares in training camp.