{"id":500005,"date":"2026-02-24T01:57:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T01:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/500005\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T01:57:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T01:57:09","slug":"chargers-c-bradley-bozeman-announces-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/500005\/","title":{"rendered":"Chargers C Bradley Bozeman announces retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kris RhimFeb 24, 2026, 09:52 AM<\/p>\n

Close<\/a>Kris Rhim is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Kris covers the Los Angeles Chargers, including coach Jim Harbaugh’s franchise-altering first season (https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/41068072\/los-angeles-chargers-2024-preview-jim-harbaugh-culture). In Kris’ free time, he lives his NBA dreams at men’s leagues across Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Multiple Authors<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> starting center Bradley Bozeman<\/a> announced on Instagram on Monday that he is retiring from the NFL.<\/p>\n

“This game has given me so much — lessons, lifelong friendships, and memories my family will carry forever,” Bozeman said in his post<\/a>. “I’ve poured everything I had into this journey, and I walk away grateful and proud.”<\/p>\n

A native of Roanoke, Alabama, Bozeman played college football at the University of Alabama, where he won a national championship in 2018. The Baltimore Ravens<\/a> selected him in the sixth round of the 2018 draft, and Bozeman went on to play eight years and start 110 games in his career.<\/p>\n

Editor’s Picks<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n

1 Related<\/p>\n

Bozeman spent his final two years in Los Angeles, where he became one of the team’s most beloved and respected players. But his on-field performance drew scrutiny. He was part of one of the league’s worst interior lines and became a frequent target of criticism, which appeared to wear on him.<\/p>\n

“There’s things that I wish I could take back, obviously, but overall, I feel like I had a solid year. A lot of people don’t think that, but a lot of people aren’t in our room,” Bozeman said after the season while fighting back tears. “… So for me, I’m proud of this year. I’m proud of myself.”<\/p>\n

Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley<\/a> offered his support of his retiring teammate.<\/p>\n

“Great man battled every season proud teammate,” Henley posted on X<\/a>. “With all that’s goin on in the world I hope we celebrate his retirement for the right reasons. Seeing how critical mental health can be I wish my dog a true happy retirement. congrats on a career that spanned over 8 seasons.”<\/p>\n

Bozeman had one year left on a two-year, $6.5 million contract he signed last offseason but didn’t have any guaranteed money left on the deal. Bozeman’s 2026 cap hit of $6.935 million will come off the Chargers’ books.<\/p>\n

The Chargers likely would have brought in competition for Bozeman regardless, but now they have a void at center, with no players under contract at the position.<\/p>\n

L.A. is projected to have the third-most cap space ahead of free agency and could pursue Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum<\/a>, one of the top projected free agents and a player whom general manager Joe Hortiz<\/a> had a hand in selecting in the first round of the 2022 draft.<\/p>\n

Linderbaum was the league’s second-best pass-blocking center in pass block win rate (97.2%). Bozeman ranked 30th (92.5%).<\/p>\n