EL SEGUNDO — The only thing that’s been settled in the Chargers’ competition for the starting left guard position is that nothing has been settled through the first 11 days of training camp, and that’s just fine with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Apparently, it’s one of those good problems to have.
If the linemen challenging for the position are still battling after another week or two, that’s OK, as far as McDaniel is concerned. If Kayode Awosika or Branson Taylor or Jake Slaughter, the three atop the first unofficial depth chart released this week, haven’t settled matters, it’s not a bad thing.
“The biggest part of this is probably the next 10 days, to me, because I’ve got to see where guys are,” McDaniel said Monday, with only one practice remaining on Tuesday before the Chargers play the first of their three preseason games against the Texans in Houston on Thursday.
“I’m letting it play out. I don’t have any sort of expectations, but I do know I’m feeling good about the left guard spot in that whoever wins it, they’re going to really have to perform to get that done because there are a lot of guys who are neck and neck right now.”
McDaniel wouldn’t say who might be the leading candidate to start, though.
“Headline averse,” he said.
Fair enough.
In addition to Awosika, Taylor and Slaughter, Trey Pipkins III and Trevor Penning also have taken a number of snaps with the linemen who have blocked for quarterback Justin Herbert during camp, which began July 29 and continues through Aug. 25. The regular-season opener is Sept. 13.
McDaniel had his reasons for avoiding supplying his own depth chart beyond not wishing to see it in print or on a website or TV network. In fact, with the battle for the position ongoing and likely going on for several more days or weeks, he didn’t wish to make up his mind yet.
“Just from a philosophy standpoint, I’m very resistant to creating the story in my head of reading the future,” he said. “I really want the starter to earn it. I think the player will tell us. I think his teammates will tell us by the collective group execution because the best player for that position will be helping the whole group operate with great communication and decisiveness and style of play. I’m not doing that (declining to name a leader among the five) just to be annoying. I’m very disciplined when it comes to allowing guys to earn their job.”
McDaniel would say that none of the five have been eliminated from competition.
“Thank you for allowing me to stay out of the headlines,” he said.
Asked if he would be disappointed or pleased if the battle raged through the rest of camp, which also includes preseason games Aug. 20 against the San Francisco 49ers and Aug. 27 against the Rams at SoFi Stadium, McDaniel said it might mean the ones who lose out shift to other positions.
Pipkins, for one example, could shift to a swing tackle position, backing up Rashawn Slater at left tackle and/or Joe Alt at right tackle. Slaughter, for another, could end up backing up center Tyler Biadasz. Taylor, for one more, could be Awosika’s backup should Awosika win the competition.
“I’d say the roster competition is as heavy as I’ve ever been around,” McDaniel said. “It’s not just the offensive line. There’s a lot of talented individuals and picking between a number of them, and also paired with that are a number of the skilled positions, how many tight ends do you keep, how many running backs do you keep?”
It’s possible the Chargers keep as many as 10 offensive linemen on their initial 53-man roster, which must be determined by Aug. 30. McDaniel said he’s coached with as many as 11 offensive linemen and as few as eight during his many stops in the NFL, including the past four seasons as the Miami Dolphins’ head coach.
What’s more, it could be difficult to place a standout lineman on the practice squad because another team might grab him. It could be a matter of crossing one’s fingers and hoping for the best, but expecting the worst when it comes to keeping everyone in training camp in the fold.
“It’s going to be a very tough roster battle,” McDaniel said.
EXTRA POINTS
Slater and cornerback Tarheeb Still were absent from practice for the third consecutive day. … Safety Derwin James Jr. and outside linebacker Bud Dupree returned to the field after they were given the day off Sunday to rest. … The Chargers signed outside linebacker Andre Carter and waived wide receiver Manté Morrow.