The Los Angeles Chargers are focused on the present. At 9–4 and coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles, they’ve put themselves firmly in the playoff picture and given themselves room to grow as the year unfolds.
At the same time, the league keeps moving.
As teams push toward the end of the season, it’s not unusual for front offices to quietly take stock of where upgrades may eventually be needed. For the Chargers, one position that could come into focus is center.
One offseason idea floated by FanSided’s Jason Reed connects that need to Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, whose long-term future remains unresolved, and is the type of situation Los Angeles should be monitoring.
Why Center Has Come Into Focus for the Chargers
Los Angeles has spent much of this season managing its offensive line rather than building it the way it was originally intended. That reality arrived early.
Rashawn Slater’s season-ending injury in training camp forced an immediate reset. When Joe Alt was later lost as well, the Chargers were pushed deeper into contingency mode, cycling through combinations simply to stay functional up front.
They’ve adapted. Jamaree Salyer’s expanded role has helped steady things, and the line has looked more settled in recent weeks. But the constant reshuffling has reinforced a familiar truth around the league: when the edges are compromised, the middle becomes even more important.
That’s where the conversation naturally turns to center.
That reality showed up again against Philadelphia. Even with the win, the Chargers were forced to manage constant pressure, with Justin Herbert absorbing repeated hits and creating offense on the move. It was a reminder that while Los Angeles has found ways to survive without its two starting tackles, the margin remains thin when protection breaks down.
That’s part of why improving the offensive line will remain a priority. And with the edges already stretched by injury, stability in the middle carries even more weight.
Why Linderbaum Fits the Chargers’ Needs
Linderbaum is approaching free agency without a long-term extension in place, and Baltimore’s recent decision to commit money elsewhere adds context. He’s still just 25, already established, and widely viewed as one of the league’s most reliable players at his position.
Players like that rarely reach the open market.
The Ravens declining his fifth-year option earlier in his rookie deal didn’t signal an inevitable departure, but it did set limits. If Linderbaum does reach free agency, his value will be shaped by demand rather than internal compromise. That’s where teams with cap flexibility begin to matter.
The Chargers are one of them.
Why the Chargers Are Positioned to Think Long-Term
Los Angeles projects to enter the 2026 offseason with one of the healthier cap situations in the league. That doesn’t create urgency. It creates options.
The Chargers don’t need to chase volume or short-term fixes. They can afford to be selective and structural in how they deploy resources. Investing at center would reflect that approach.
Linderbaum would be a natural fit. There’s also familiarity involved. General manager Joe Hortiz and offensive coordinator Greg Roman both know Baltimore’s system well. That doesn’t guarantee interest turns into action, but it reduces uncertainty, which matters when considering a major commitment.
A Situation Worth Monitoring for Los Angeles
Nothing here is imminent. Baltimore still has time, and circumstances can shift.
Linderbaum represents one possible direction. He offers a chance for Los Angeles to solidify a position that has felt unsettled throughout the season. But availability, cost, and Baltimore’s willingness to let him reach the market will all shape how realistic that option becomes.
If the circumstances align, this is the kind of situation worth monitoring for the Chargers.
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