The offensive line injuries keep stacking up for the Los Angeles Chargers this season.
LA lost two-time Pro Bowl tackle Rashawn Slater for the season after he suffered a torn patellar tendon during training camp, just a few weeks after signing his four-year, $114 million contract extension.
All-Rookie tackle Joe Alt injured his ankle in Week 4, which forced him to miss the next three games for the Bolts. The Chargers have a few more offensive linemen on the injury report who would be vital to protect star quarterback Justin Herbert.
The O-linemen have made steady progress, with most appearing to be available for Week 8’s Thursday Night Football matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
While the offensive front will be 100% in the future, one NFL analyst believes the Chargers are a logical landing spot for an All-Pro lineman, who would give the team an experienced veteran.
Bolts Trade For All-Pro Lineman
GettyOffensive guard Joel Bitonio of the Cleveland Browns
Justin Herbert has been one of the most sacked QBs in the league through seven weeks, being taken down by defenders 20 times this season.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports believes the Los Angeles Chargers should be interested in Cleveland Browns‘ offensive lineman Joel Bitonio.
“Cleveland probably shouldn’t be in the business of selling its most accomplished lineman while deploying a rookie at quarterback in Dillon Gabriel. But the Browns are in transition (as always), and Bitonio isn’t getting any younger at 34. Imagine if the seven-time Pro Bowler finally had the opportunity to line up in the trenches for a legitimate contender. He remains an interior staple,” Benjamin wrote.
Bitonio would give the Chargers a reliable offensive lineman who has only missed two games since the 2016 season. In his 12-year career, Bitonio has only missed 19 games.
The Cleveland Browns’ guard currently has a 71.4 pass block grade and 73.9 run block grade this season, with an overall grade of 76.3 from Pro Football Focus this season, ranking him as the third-best guard in the league out of 82 qualifying guards.
Joel Bitonio In Los Angeles
GettyOffensive guard Joel Bitonio of the Cleveland Browns.
The Cleveland Browns are 2-5 this season and currently have no set future on who will be the franchise quarterback.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel has started the last three games for the Browns, while others are hopeful Shedeur Sanders gets a chance to become the starting quarterback.
Since being drafted by the organization in the 2014 NFL Draft, Joel Bitonio has appeared in two playoff games with Cleveland.
If the lineman were to make his way to the Los Angeles Chargers, he would play for a team that has made the playoffs two out of the last three times.
Joel Bitonio is nearing the end of his career and the Bolts can give the player a chance to win a Super Bowl.
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