Analyst offers potentially outlandish path for Chargers to protect Justin Herbert

The Los Angeles Chargers are entering a defining offseason, and it is largely set to focus on quarterback Justin Herbert.

Fresh off a year that saw the offensive line decimated by injuries, Herbert was a sitting duck at times, as evidenced by his career-high 54 sacks, 13 more than his previous high.

So, as we enter the offseason, surely the front office has to look at offensive line upgrades, even though Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will be returning.

For NFL.com's Matt Okada, he has a rather outlandish path the Chargers could take, and while it feels like he's joking, you never know how a team will approach the offseason.

"Over the course of the 2025 season, the Chargers started 12 different offensive linemen (most in the league), and that doesn’t even include Pro Bowl tackle Rashawn Slater, who suffered his season-ending ruptured patellar tendon in August," Okada wrote.

"Frankly, Los Angeles might want to consider spending most of their $82.9 million in cap space and five 2026 draft picks to upgrade the interior and secure some depth in front of Justin Herbert."

More: Why Bills' highest priority has to be Josh Allen-centric

Herbert has to be protected

We have seen this offseason several times players being linked to the Chargers, or L.A. being named the best landing spot for a player, with Baltimore Ravens' Tyler Linderbaum the one most mentioned.

That is the sort of player the Chargers need. A proven commodity.

Yes, it will be pricey, but the Chargers have the cap space, and there is only so long Herbert can take the sort of punishment he took in 2025. Just ask Andrew Luck.

So, use this offseason to fortify Herbert's protection because if he takes another 50+ sacks in 2026, the Chargers won't be winning anything.

As far as using all of the salary cap space and draft picks, I'm not sure, but no stone can be left unturned in search of finding Herbert's protectors.

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