Justin Herbert took a career-high 54 sacks last season. Fifty-four! And if you think that number is wild, get this: Herbert also led the entire league with 268 pressures and a brutal 43.3 pressure rate. The dude was running for his life out there. It’s no shock the Los Angeles Chargers, despite hitting the playoffs the last two seasons, got bounced in the first round both times, losing consecutively to the Houston Texans and New England Patriots. Everyone knows they’re hoping for a different story in the 2026 season, and it’s pretty clear where the biggest question mark hangs: the offensive line.
Last Season’s O-Line Was a Total Nightmare
Last year was an absolute disaster for the Chargers’ offensive line. NFL.com contributor Bobby Kownack wasn’t wrong calling it that. Their starting left tackle, Rashawn Slater, tore his patellar tendon in August, ending his season before it truly began. Then, right tackle Joe Alt only made it six games deep before he needed season-ending ankle surgery. You can’t protect a quarterback when you’re piecing together a line with duct tape, and Herbert’s numbers prove it. He was under fire constantly, and it crippled their ability to take that next step.
New Faces, Returning Stars: Can the Line Finally Jell?
The good news? It looks like the offensive line should be a huge strength for the Chargers in 2026. Slater and Alt are both back on the field, which is massive. But they aren’t alone; the front office brought in free agents Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange, plus they drafted second-round rookie Jake Slaughter. That’s a whole lot of talent to work with! The big thing now is whether this group can actually “jell together as a unit in August.” Talent is one thing, but synergy is everything, especially up front.
Rashawn Slater’s Health Is Everything
Right now, the Chargers’ offensive line is mostly healthy, which is all you can ask for in early August. But there’s one player they’re watching with extreme caution: Rashawn Slater. He did leave practice last week with a brief injury, though he was able to get some work in later that day. Given he’s coming back from a major patellar tendon tear and just signed a $114 million contract last offseason, you can bet the team is going to be incredibly careful with him. They know keeping Slater healthy for the long haul is exactly what they need to finally take that next step forward and move past those frustrating first-round exits. The season starts now, and how this O-line gels and stays healthy will tell us everything.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bolts from the Blue.
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