Chargers forecasted to have one of league's most desired potential cut candidates

The Los Angeles Chargers have put in the work to install one of the league's most dominant offensive lines. That is how Jim Harbaugh looks to win football games and it is a position group the team is willing to invest big resources into. 

After drafting Joe Alt with the No. 5 overall pick last year and signing Mekhi Becton from the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, Harbaugh is close to having exactly what he wants. 

But there may no longer be a place for former third-round pick Trey Pipkins. 

Pipkins has been relegated to backup status and will be looking to stick around in L.A. as the team's swing tackle. But many are predicting that the team will cut ties with him this summer. Alex Kay of Bleacher Report is among those and he feels that if the Chargers do let Pipkins go, he could be on the radar of every team in the league. 

Here was Kay's insight on the situation:

"The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the more expensive backup offensive linemen in the NFL in Trey Pipkins III. While the team attempted to get value out of him by moving him from tackle to guard in 2024, his performance at the new position wasn’t up to par and will likely lead to him riding the pine if he remains with the Bolts this season.

Pipkins' trying year—one in which he allowed six sacks and earned a lowly 57.8 Pro Football Focus grade—coupled with his nearly $7 million in base salary due in the final year of his current contract, makes him one of the more obvious cut candidates on L.A.’s roster.

By releasing him, the Chargers would save $6.75 million against the cap and take on just $2.5 million in dead money. For a team currently working with a shade under $28 million in available space, the extra finances and roster spot should have more allure than an underperforming backup.

If Pipkins does hit the open market, he should draw some interest from teams in the market for swing tackle depth or even a potential starter at tackle. He has plenty of experience in the offensive trenches—logging 56 career starts since entering the NFL as a third-rounder in 2019—including starting the majority of the 2022-23 seasons at right tackle.

While the 29-year-old may not develop into a Pro Bowler at this stage of his career, his ability to fill in at both guard and tackle could be a major boon to organizations desperate for depth at those positions".

The cap savings would be huge for the Chargers and is the biggest reason why Pipkins could be cut. Though Pipkins has never been able to endear himself to the fanbase in L.A., he is an experienced offensive lineman who is still on the right side of 30 years old. He would be scooped up by another team almost immediately and that change of scenery could be exactly what he needs. 

If the Chargers move on from Pipkins, they would need a player to step into that swing tackle role. That could be occupied by Jamaree Salyer, Elijah Ellis, Corey Stewart or Savion Washington. The team could also look for other options around the league. 

Interestingly, one of the other names on Kay's list is former Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, who was recently predicted to end up back in L.A. if he is cut by the Commanders. 

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