The Cheapest, Easiest Move The Chargers Can Make To Improve Their Offense
Chargers sign their new starting center in former Raider Andre James
The LA Chargers’ need for interior offensive line help was apparent after fans watched Justin Herbert get mauled in the AFC Wild Card Round by a stout Houston Texans defensive line. If the Chargers went into the 2025 season with the same starting offensive line it would be deemed a failure.
After a slow start to free agency, the first domino fell on the offensive line with right guard Mekhi Becton signing a two-year deal with the team.
Becton is no longer the only domino to fall as the Chargers have signed former Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James.
Chargers sign their new starting center in former Raider, Andre James
James was released by the Raiders earlier this offseason after a down season in Las Vegas. James’ down season was not enough to deter the Chargers, who are betting on the upside of the four-year starter.
James’ down season for the Raiders in 2024 come off the heels of the best season of his career in 2023. While James was not an All-Pro-caliber center, he was one of the better starting centers in 2023.
James finished the 2024 season with 17 total pressures allowed for a 97.7 pass-block efficiency rating. To compare, Bradley Bozeman allowed 30 total pressures (in more snaps) for a pass-block efficiency of 97.3.
Bozeman finished as 23rd among 28 qualified centers in pass-block efficiency last season while James finished 20th. James’ bad season was still better than Bozeman’s 2024 but Chargers fans will undoubtedly be disappointed if he does not improve in LA.
James finished tied for ninth among 31 qualified centers in pass-block efficiency in 2023, so it is clear he can protect the quarterback at a top-10 clip. It is important to note, though, that before his breakout 2023 season James was closer to the middle and back of the pack.
After the James signing, the Chargers’ offensive line should consist of Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, James, Becton and Joe Alt. That grouping has much more potential than the starting group that finished last season.
James is on track to be the team’s starting center in Week 1 but he may need to officially earn the role in training camp. The Chargers clearly value Bozeman considering they re-signed him, so James needs to back up the contract with a strong showing in camp.
Hopefully, the James that shows up for the Chargers is much more like the 2023 version of himself, not the 2024 version.
