For Chargers fans, the importance of this offseason is paramount. This could be the time the Chargers make a push from simply a solid playoff squad to a perennial Super Bowl contender. That is why Joe Hortiz’s comments at the NFL Combine have potentially lit the spark for the Chargers going forward.
Hortiz had a chance to give his own opinions about the team’s offseason priorities — and he did not disappoint.
“You control the line, you’re going to have a good chance to win the game at the end,” Hortiz told reporters on February 24.
The Chargers have gotten off to a pretty decent start, first extending Teair Tart on a three-year, $30 million deal. Then, they picked up perhaps the best offensive mind in the NFL today in Mike McDaniel to be their new offensive coordinator after Greg Roman’s failures.
Hortiz Sets the Tone for a Trenches-First Approach
Of course, it is one thing to say those things over the course of a interview. It’s quite another to execute all of what you say and keep fans content and engaged. For the most part, Hortiz has gotten through the easiest half of the offseason: extending an integral piece of the defense and hiring two coordinators who can both improve the team and in Chris O’Leary’s case, keep a good defensive system in place.
Still, for the Chargers to have the best offseason possible, they also have to deliver on Hortiz’s free agency ambitions. The Chargers O-line very clearly needs reinforcements, especially after Bradley Bozeman’s retirement and the potential cutting of Mekhi Becton. While some point to the draft and Penn State’s Vega Ioane as a potential solution, a free agency addition could also potentially be in the cards as well.
Free Agency Decisions Could Define the Chargers’ Ceiling
Tyler Linderbaum is the name on everybody’s lips as the premier O-lineman free agent, and many teams could be looking to acquire him. With over 87 million dollars of cap space, the Chargers have a huge opportunity to take a swing at him and immediately bolster a weakness in the squad.
Even if they don’t sign Linderbaum, there are still options. Connor McGovern of the Bills and Cade Mays of the Panthers could be two cheaper options as well. Still, the Chargers also have some in house decisions to make on the other side of the ball.
The question of Odafe Oweh’s status with the team is an interesting one. Because of the Tart extension, Oweh may be priced out of staying with the team. As a result, the Chargers could be looking for linebacker help. That also doesn’t touch upon whether or not Khalil Mack will be with the team next season. Most importantly, perhaps the Chargers should be thinking of someone younger to take over.
There is a lot to ponder for the Chargers, and so much time to get things right. Now, it’s all about putting that mindset to work in the offseason.
Chargers’ Joe Hortiz Sets Clear Path Forward for Team at Combine