Chargers bolster offensive line by reuniting with former Dolphins guard Cole Strange. A familiar face joins the roster, potentially easing offensive scheme transitions.
I know I've been saying it a lot, but I think it's really important to note that coaches moving from one organization to another like to bring players along with them.
For one, it gives the coach a voice in the locker room that will side with them if any of the players start to question (or doubt) the coach's motivations or techniques. It also provides a player's perspective in the film sessions and in the huddle during games that has a complete and total understanding of the concepts being run and the playcall.
Perhaps most importantly, it provides the coach with something they can count on. And after Adam Schefter broke the news that the Los Angeles Chargers were signing OL Cole Strange to a two-year deal worth $13 million, Mike McDaniel has at least one guard that he knows he can count on.
After spending three seasons with the New England Patriots, where he played for three separate head coaches and saw his playing time reduced each season, Strange signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins last offseason and started 14 games at right guard for them.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, the Chargers were essentially without any real starting guard options on the roster before yesterday. Strange provides them with that, but comes at the type of price that would make you assume the team is planning on using him as a backup guard off the bench.
Either way, Strange's addition to the offensive line should make Mike McDaniel's transition from Miami Dolphins head coach to Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator just a little bit easier, as will the previous signing of FB Alec Ingold.
It's worth mentioning that the Dolphins weren't planning on starting Strange as their right guard last season. He was supposed to be the backup, but James Daniels saw yet another one of his seasons come to an early end via injury in Week 1.
I say it's worth mentioning because Daniels is also currently a free agent and obviously saw a fit for himself in McDaniel's offense last year when he signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Dolphins to be their starting guard after a seven-year run with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers. Might he be the next shoe to drop for the Chargers in free agency as they look to secure at least one of their guard spots before the 2026 NFL Draft?