On Monday, head coach Jim Harbaugh officially announced the starting five offensive linemen for the Chargers: Left tackle Rashawn Slater, left guard Zion Johnson, center Bradley Bozeman, right guard Mekhi Becton, and right tackle Joe Alt.
Yes, that is essentially the same group that started for the team a year ago aside from Becton who has replaced 2024 starter Trey Pipkins.
Jim Harbaugh said he’s settled on his “best five” for the starting offensive line: LT Rashawn Slater, LG Zion Johnson, C Bradley
ADBozeman, RG Mekhi Becton, RT Joe Alt
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) August 4, 2025
For those hoping there would be more change to this group from last year to now, you’re probably feeling a disappointed. Just know you are likely not alone in that. The interior of the offensive line was by far one of the weakest links in the Chargers roster and somehow the team decided that it wasn’t all that bad and only one new face in the interior trio was needed.
Until the pads come on and real football gets underway, we won’t know just how much progress was made (or lack thereof) by guys like Bozeman and Johnson. Johnson is entering year four while Bozeman is in year eight. Both have been a professional long enough that it’s fairly safe to assume they’ve both become who they’re going to be in the NFL, which makes the decision to sit on their hands regarding the problem all the more frustrating.
But here we are, once again in a position to fall back on the “In Harbaugh We Trust” mindset. I’m willing to wait and see how the group gels this season, but I can’t say there’s much leeway past that.
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