With center Tyler Biadasz locked in, the Chargers can shift their focus as free agency begins. Interior offensive line, defensive line and edge rusher now stand out as the team’s top priorities as they continue building around Justin Herbert.
With NFL free agency officially opening, the Los Angeles Chargers already made one important move to stabilize the roster. By signing center Tyler Biadasz to a three-year, $30 million contract before the market opened, the team avoided one of the biggest potential headaches on the roster.
Instead of entering free agency desperate for a starting center, the Chargers can now focus their attention on several other key areas. Even after the early move, there are still some obvious holes that need to be addressed if this team wants to take the next step.
Interior Offensive Line
Even with Biadasz in place at center, the Chargers still have major questions along the interior offensive line. Both guard spots remain areas that need attention. Protecting Justin Herbert has to remain a priority, especially with a new offensive system expected to emphasize timing and efficiency in the passing game.
The Chargers have invested heavily in the tackle spots, but interior pressure has still been an issue at times. Adding at least one reliable starting guard — and ideally two — should be near the top of the front office’s list. Free agency often provides solid veteran options who can stabilize the middle of the line immediately.
If the Chargers truly want to maximize Herbert’s prime years, giving him consistent protection up the middle is critical. Biadasz was a good first step, but it can’t be the last move.
Defensive Line
Another area that could use reinforcement is the defensive line. The Chargers have talent on the roster, but depth and consistency have been issues. Stopping the run has been an ongoing challenge, and the team would benefit from adding another disruptive interior presence.
The modern NFL demands defensive linemen who can both collapse the pocket and hold up against the run. Bringing in a player who can rotate in and keep the defensive front fresh would go a long way toward improving the defense overall.
Given how many teams rely on strong rushing attacks late in the season and in the playoffs, strengthening the defensive line could pay major dividends.
Edge Rusher
The Chargers did make an important move here by bringing back veteran pass rusher Khalil Mack on a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million deal.
Even at 35 years old, Mack still provides leadership and pass-rushing ability off the edge. Keeping him in the building ensures the defense retains a veteran presence and someone who can still get after the quarterback.
However, Mack alone isn’t enough.
The Chargers would ideally like to re-sign Odafe Oweh as well. Oweh has flashed significant upside since entering the league and could play an important role in the team’s pass-rush rotation moving forward. If the Chargers can bring him back, it would give them a strong combination of experience and youth at the position.
If they aren’t able to reach a deal with Oweh, though, edge rusher quickly becomes one of the team’s most pressing needs. In today’s NFL, teams simply can’t have enough players capable of consistently pressuring the quarterback.
Final Thoughts
The Chargers have already taken a smart step by locking down their center position before free agency officially began. That move gives the front office flexibility and prevents them from overpaying out of desperation.
Now the focus shifts to filling the remaining gaps. Interior offensive line, defensive line and edge rusher all stand out as the biggest priorities.
If the Chargers can successfully address those areas over the next few weeks, they’ll put themselves in a strong position heading into the 2026 season. And with Herbert leading the offense, building a more complete roster around him could be exactly what this team needs to make a serious push.