The Chargers should sign unrestricted free agent center Tyler Linderbaum this offseason in order to strengthen their offensive line for the 2026 season.
PFF’s Dalton Wasserman explained why the Bolts need to pursue Linderbaum.
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«The Chargers’ porous interior offensive line was the main reason that the team fell short of its postseason expectations,» Wasserman writes. «Justin Herbert was under pressure more than 43% of the time. Only the Browns garnered a worse PFF pass-blocking grade than Los Angeles. The Chargers’ 37.3 team PFF run-blocking grade is the worst by any team in a season in the PFF era (since 2006). Their Super Bowl aspirations won’t be fulfilled without major improvement up front.
«Los Angeles is armed with the second-most effective cap space in the NFL. That should allow the front office to approach a top-of-market option like Baltimore center Tyler Linderbaum.»
What is Tyler Linderbaum’s Projected Contract in Free Agency?
Linderbaum is projected to earn a contract of nearly $18 million per year, according to Spotrac. He is slated to be a top target for several teams in free agency, including the Giants.
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Giants head coach John Harbaugh is familiar with Linderbaum, given the pair’s connection with the Ravens, and it’s likely he’ll try to poach several former players ahead of his first season in New York.
Linderbaum has ranked fourth among qualified centers in overall PFF grade since he was drafted in 2022. The center’s production is also top-tier as he’s logged 1,000 snaps in each of his first four seasons in the league.
Now that the Chargers have Mike McDaniel running the offense, Linderbaum would be a perfect fit in the former Dolphins head coach’s scheme. The 25-year-old has earned above a 78.0 PFF run-blocking grade in each season, emerging as one of the NFL’s premier run blockers on the interior.
It’s evident Linderbaum would be a great addition to the Chargers’ offensive line, replacing Bradley Bozeman, who has struggled the past two seasons.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers should make this offseason move ahead of 2026 season
