The Chargers entered free agency needing to fix their offensive line, but their moves suggest they’re settling for bargain options. With a visit from Spencer Burford and the signing of Cole Strange, questions remain about whether Justin Herbert will truly get better protection.
The Los Angeles Chargers entered free agency with one glaring priority: fix the offensive line and finally provide Justin Herbert the protection he desperately needs. Instead, as the second week of free agency begins, the Chargers appear to be digging through the bargain bin hoping to find answers.
The latest example came today as the team hosted free agent guard Spencer Burford for a visit. Burford, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, has started games in the NFL but is widely viewed as a depth-level lineman rather than a true solution on the interior.
And unfortunately for Chargers fans, that’s been the theme of this offseason.
The Chargers did make one somewhat notable move early in free agency when they signed guard Cole Strange to a two-year deal. Strange reunites with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel after previously playing under him in Miami. While familiarity with the scheme is helpful, Strange’s recent performance hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. His Pro Football Focus grades ranked toward the lower tier of starting guards, and the move felt more like a depth signing than a true upgrade.
Now the Chargers are reportedly kicking the tires on Burford, another player who has experience but also significant question marks.
Burford started 11 games for the 49ers last season and has started 38 games across his career. However, his performance metrics paint a mixed picture. In 2025 he posted an overall PFF grade of 58.9, ranking 49th among 81 qualifying guards. He was solid in the run game but struggled significantly in pass protection, allowing 31 pressures while earning a pass-blocking grade that ranked near the bottom of the league.
For a team whose quarterback was hit at a near-record rate last season, targeting guards who struggle in pass protection feels like a questionable strategy.
The Chargers still have cap space available, which makes this approach even more puzzling. Many fans expected the team to aggressively pursue proven offensive linemen in the first wave of free agency. Instead, the front office has largely sat on the sidelines while higher-end options signed elsewhere.
What we’re seeing now is the natural result.
When the top names come off the board, teams are left sifting through mid-tier veterans and reclamation projects. That’s exactly where the Chargers find themselves today. Players like Burford may have upside, and they might fit McDaniel’s run-heavy system, but they are far from guaranteed upgrades.
This approach also puts even more pressure on the upcoming NFL Draft.
If the Chargers don’t add legitimate starting talent before April, the offensive line will likely become one of their top draft priorities. That may have been part of the plan all along, but relying too heavily on rookies to fix a major weakness can be risky—especially when you’re trying to compete right now.
The Chargers still have time to change the narrative. Free agency isn’t over, and trades can still happen. But as things stand today, the offensive line overhaul fans were hoping for hasn’t materialized.
Instead, the Chargers are shopping in the clearance aisle, hoping a discounted piece can somehow become the answer.
That’s a dangerous game to play when your franchise quarterback is the one paying the price.