The Chargers will most likely address the interior part of the offensive line, especially the guard spots, with Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton being potential cut candidates.
Should they go the free agency route, Sports Illustrated’s Connor Orr believes the Bolts will sign veteran Joel Bitonio, whom he tabbed in his bold predictions for all 32 teams in the NFL.
Jim Harbaugh is not going to put Justin Herbert at risk again like he was forced to last season. Bitonio can spearhead the offensive line’s transition to a Mike McDaniel system—Bitonio was drafted during McDaniel’s season as the Browns’ receivers coach—and could be a critical, dependable asset amid constant injury woes.
Bitonio is not getting any younger, set to be 35 this season and is considering retirement, but he is durable and is still moving as if he were ten years younger.
Advertisement
A stalwart presence along the Browns’ offensive line for the past decade, Bitonio finished the 2025 season ranked as PFF’s 8th-best pass-blocking guard. He has also ranked in the 91st percentile in PFF run-blocking grade over the past three seasons.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel was on the Browns’ staff as the wide receiver coach in 2014, Bitonio’s first season in Cleveland, so the familiarity is there. Plus, Bitonio is a great fit in McDaniel’s zone scheme.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: NFL analyst’s ‘bold prediction’ sees Chargers bolstering guard spot