IT IS DONE: Los Angeles Chargers’ wake-up call gets even louder thanks to brutal PFF ranking……. view more
“IT IS DONE”: Chargers’ Wake-Up Call Gets Even Louder After Brutal PFF Ranking
The Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line has gone from a strength to a glaring weakness—one that has finally earned the attention it desperately needed, thanks to a searing Pro Football Focus (PFF) evaluation.
Offensive Line in Free Fall
PFF’s midseason pass-blocking grades paint a grim picture. Outside the two tackles—Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt—the interior trio averages alarmingly low scores:
- Zion Johnson – 38.8
- Bradley Bozeman – 46.1
- Trey Pipkins – 39.5
- Jamaree Salyer – 40.3
- Sam Mustipher – a catastrophic 21.5
This isn’t a minor dip—it’s a full-blown collapse.
Herbert Under Siege
Amid this breakdown, Justin Herbert took a pounding. In Week 4 against Kansas City, he faced pressure on 51.7% of his dropbacks—the fourth-highest single-game rate of his career With key tackles on injured reserve, the entire front feels unstable.
Injuries and Shuffling
The domino effect keeps growing. With Slater (pec) and Alt (MCL) sidelined, the Chargers shuffled players like Pipkins and Salyer across positions, hoping to patch holes. But mixing players in makeshift roles hasn’t brought stability. PFF notes the dislocations disrupted assignments and clearly contributed to poor performance .
Fan Frustration Speaks Out
Chargers fan reactions on Reddit underscore the urgency:
“By far the weakest link of this offense… that drive in the 4th quarter where I think Pipkins let Herbert get drilled was all you needed to see”
“It’s kinda exciting we could go 11‑6 with an IOL this bad.”
Supporters are desperate for interior upgrades this offseason.
Silver Linings and Urgent Needs
There’s some hope: when Alt and Slater are healthy, pressure rates dip to more manageable levels . But relying solely on those two isn’t a long-term strategy. PFF grades suggest the Chargers must reinforce the interior—either through free agency, trade, or the draft—to give Herbert the pocket he deserves.
The Bottom Line
The wake-up call is here: the Chargers’ offensive line, once heralded as among the league’s elite, is now a problem situation. PFF’s brutal ranking isn’t just criticism—it’s a mandate. It’s time to act, or face the consequences of quarterback grabs, stalled drives, and another disappointing season.
Next Steps for the Bolts
- Injury Updates: Monitor recovery timelines for Slater and Alt.
- Invest in the Interior: Target upgrades via free agency or draft.
- Protect the Franchise Asset: Reinforcing the line is the investment Herbert deserves.
TL;DR
- A PFF “brutal” grading spots three interior linemen below 50 (one as low as 21.5).
- Herbert was under pressure on 51.7% of dropbacks in Week 4.
- Injuries wreaked havoc—makeshift line shuffling not the fix.
- Fans demand interior line overhaul.
- Chargers must act fast or risk Herbert’s progression stagnating.
The wake-up call was loud enough—but now, it’s deafening: IT IS DONE, Chargers must rebuild their interior O‑line or repeat another lost season.
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