Could Cole Strange quietly become one of the Chargers’ most underrated offseason additions? The former first-round pick enters 2026 with a fresh opportunity, familiarity in the system and a real chance to help stabilize the offensive line in front of Justin Herbert.
When the Los Angeles Chargers signed Cole Strange earlier this offseason, the reaction from fans was pretty mixed. Some saw a former first-round pick with upside, while others saw another question mark on an offensive line that still feels like a work in progress. But there’s a real chance Strange ends up being one of the more underrated additions the Chargers made this offseason.
That may sound bold considering how his career has gone so far, but the fit matters here.
Strange entered the NFL as the No. 29 overall pick in the 2022 draft after dominating at Chattanooga. His selection by the New England Patriots was heavily criticized at the time because many analysts felt he was drafted too early. Since then, he’s dealt with injuries, inconsistency and the pressure that comes with being labeled a first-round reach.
Still, there are reasons to believe the Chargers could get more out of him than previous teams did.
One of the biggest factors is familiarity with the system. Strange spent last season with the Miami Dolphins under offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and offensive line coach Butch Barry. Now both are with the Chargers, and that continuity matters. Strange already understands the scheme, the terminology and the type of athletic offensive line play this staff wants.
That alone gives him a better shot to succeed immediately.
The Chargers don’t necessarily need Strange to become a Pro Bowl guard. They just need stability. Last season, too much pressure got through the interior offensive line, and it put unnecessary stress on Justin Herbert. If Strange can simply provide average-to-above-average guard play, that would already be a meaningful upgrade.
There’s also the possibility that Strange benefits from finally not being expected to carry unrealistic expectations. Sometimes players drafted in the first round never live up to the hype attached to their draft slot, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still become productive starters. The Chargers may have found a sweet spot where Strange is no longer expected to be a franchise-changing lineman, but instead a tough, athletic player who fits the offense.
That environment could help him settle in and play more freely.
Another thing working in his favor is the talent around him. Playing between established veterans and next to elite tackles like Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt should make life easier. The Chargers also appear committed to improving the run game around Omarion Hampton, and Strange’s athleticism fits well in a zone-blocking scheme that emphasizes movement and quickness.
Of course, there are still concerns. His pass protection has been inconsistent, and some of the analytics from last season weren’t particularly impressive. The Chargers are also clearly still trying to build long-term answers along the interior offensive line, which means Strange probably isn’t viewed as a guaranteed solution.
But sometimes players thrive when expectations cool off a bit.
Right now, most Chargers fans are focused on bigger names and bigger storylines heading into 2026. That’s exactly why Cole Strange has a chance to surprise people. If he can stay healthy and comfortably settle into McDaniel’s offense, he could quietly become one of the more important pieces protecting Herbert this season.