Joe Hortiz still has time to turn the Chargers’ offseason around, but patience is wearing thin. As free agents sign elsewhere and the offensive line remains a major concern, fans are starting to question the team’s strategy.
The NFL offseason is rarely judged in real time, but when a team has glaring needs and the market keeps moving without them, frustration is inevitable. That’s exactly where things stand with the Los Angeles Chargers and general manager Joe Hortiz right now.
To be clear, the offseason is far from over. Hortiz still has time to salvage things and build a competitive roster heading into the 2026 season. But as the early waves of free agency pass by, it’s becoming harder for fans to ignore what feels like a missed opportunity—particularly along the offensive line.
The Chargers entered this offseason with a clear priority: fix the interior offensive line and better protect franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. After years of inconsistent play up front, it was obvious that real upgrades were needed. Instead, the biggest move so far has been signing guard Cole Strange to a two-year, $13 million deal.
On paper, that sounds like a reasonable addition. Strange has starting experience and familiarity with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel from their time together in Miami. But the concern is that Strange hasn’t performed like a top-tier guard. His recent grading metrics place him near the bottom tier of starting guards, particularly in pass protection, which raises questions about whether he’s truly an upgrade or just another placeholder.
For a team that desperately needed a difference-maker on the interior, that’s not exactly the splash fans were hoping for.
Meanwhile, the Chargers have also watched talent walk out the door. Offensive lineman Zion Johnson has already landed elsewhere, and edge rusher Odafe Oweh is expected to sign with Washington. While roster turnover is normal during free agency, it becomes far more noticeable when the incoming additions don’t appear to move the needle.
That’s the part that’s starting to wear on the fan base.
Every year there are solid offensive linemen available early in free agency. Some command huge contracts, while others sign manageable deals that can stabilize a unit overnight. But as names continue to come off the board, the Chargers seem content to sit back and wait.
Maybe there’s a strategy behind it. Hortiz may be trying to avoid overpaying in a market where offensive line contracts have skyrocketed in recent years. He could also be positioning the team to rely more heavily on the draft to fill long-term needs.
Those approaches can work. But they’re also risky when your quarterback has already taken a beating in recent seasons.
Justin Herbert is one of the most talented quarterbacks in football, and wasting that window because of mediocre protection would be a major organizational failure. If the Chargers want to compete in the AFC, the offensive line cannot remain a patchwork unit built on hope and mid-tier signings.
To be fair, the offseason isn’t finished. Free agency still has multiple waves, trades are always possible and the draft remains a powerful tool to reshape a roster. Hortiz could still make a move that completely changes the narrative.
But time matters in the NFL. The longer the Chargers wait while viable options disappear, the harder it becomes to fill their biggest weaknesses.
Joe Hortiz still has time to redeem this offseason. But if meaningful upgrades don’t come soon—especially on the offensive line—the patience in Los Angeles may run out faster than he expects.