Chargers News: LA Considered A Great Match For Free Agent OL

The Los Angeles Chargers didn't have the most solid OL in the league in 2023, and the recent PFF grades for the unit showed why. 

Center Corey Linsley was taken out early and has since stated he will likely retire. Despite having Rashawn Salter at LT, LG Zion Johnson, backup C Will Clapp, RG Jamaree Salyer, and RT TRey Pipkins III dealt with their own injuries throughout the year. 

Justin Herbert was sacked 29 times in the 13 games he appeared in, which breaks down to nearly 2 1/4 sacks per game. That is not ideal. If the Chargers don't select Joe Alt with their #5 pick, they will need to bolster this unit free free agency. 

One such free agent could be Michael Onwenu from the New England Patriots. 

According to Matt Bowen of ESPN, Onwenu and the Chargers are a good fit. 

"Besides left tackle Rashawn Slater, the Chargers are devoid of offensive line talent. Coach Jim Harbaugh would love to add a 6-foot-3, 330-pound people-mover in the run game. And Onwenu proved with the Patriots this season that he also has the ability to hold an anchor in pass protection at either guard or right tackle, which would help Justin Herbert. Los Angeles has to get better up front this offseason, so look for the club to make some cuts in order to clear cap space and address this unit."

via Matt Bowen, ESPN

Onwenu is highly rated, even more so than Slater. He only gave up three sacks in 489 pass-blocking snaps to Slater's nine sacks in 694 pass-blocking snaps in 2023. 

He will be a multi-year deal type of FA though, so it might be a bit tricky to land him given the Chargers' current cap situation. Still, the OL will need to be addressed to keep Herbert upright to make his big-time throws.