We’re less than 100 days away from the start of the season and NFL OTAs are underway. There are many headlines across the league, but one of the teams causing the most commotion are the Los Angeles Chargers. After a huge offseason so far, the Chargers now have begun summer practice. Here’s what’s going on with the Chargers’ OTAs.
Position Battles
The biggest position battle on this roster is no doubt the RT spot. With HC Brandon Staley getting a reloaded defense and not signing another lineman through free agency, many people are wondering what the plan is at the RT position. As of now, it’s a clear battle between fifth-year man, Storm Norton and former third-round pick, Trey Pipkins. Both players had their struggles last season with the Chargers. Norton posted a PFF grade of 60.2 while allowing nine sacks, and Pipkins faired slightly better earning a PFF grade of 68.5 while only playing a fraction of the snaps Norton did. With Norton giving up the second-most sacks in the league, the hope is that he can improve immensely, or if Pipkins can take that next step. There is also a possibility of veteran Matt Feiler moving to the RT spot, which would mean the interior of the line would change.
For the last few seasons, RB Austin Ekeler has been one of the best backs in the league with the Chargers. However, since the departure of Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles hasn’t had a productive tandem in the backfield. Joshua Kelley, drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, seemed like a good fit, out of UCLA until he began having turnover problems. The Chargers’ sixth-round pick in last year’s draft, Larry Rountree III, had a quiet rookie year but could be in competition for that RB2 spot. The most interesting option to backup Ekeler is the rookie, fourth-round pick out of Texas A&M Isaiah Spiller. Spiller was a big playmaker in college and seemingly has the most potential out of all the RBs mentioned. If Spiller has a good training camp and learns Joe Lombardi’s offense, he could be a subtle missing piece for that Chargers offense.
On the flip side of the line, Staley brought in a heap of guys to bolster up this defense. With the addition of Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, and drafting Otito Ogbonnia, it’s apparent that the pressure is on for former first-round pick Jerry Tillery. Since getting picked No. 28 overall in the 2019 draft, Tillery has only produced 10.5 career sacks. Bringing in these other players could mean the end of Tillery’s time with the Chargers, especially when you take into account that both Joseph-Day and Fox started under Staley just two seasons ago.
