Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to have a strong offensive line in Los Angeles. He made his intentions clear when he drafted Joe Alt fifth overall to pair with Rashawn Slater, creating one of the best tackle pairs in the league. Unfortunately, Harbaugh will be without one former Pro Bowler on the interior of the offensive line.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapaport, the Los Angeles Chargers have released veteran center Corey Linsley. He is expected to retire from the NFL.
Linsley has been a reliable starting center for his entire NFL career. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Linsley immediately stepped in and became one of Aaron Rodgers' favorite protectors.
Linsley has started 132 regular-season games as well as 11 playoff games. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 and was the Chargers Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee.
His NFL career ended early in the 2023 season. Linsley played in three games before he was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list with a non-emergent, heart-related issue designation.
“Corey is everything you hope for and more in an NFL player,” Chargers president of football operations John Spanos said in a statement. “The consummate professional, his mentorship of younger players, work ethic, integrity, leadership, competitive drive and sense of humor all played a role in earning him the ‘C' on his jersey throughout the entirety of his time with us. And as good of a football player as he is, Corey's an even better person.”
The Chargers will have to lean on Bradley Bozeman to step in as their new starting center. Los Angeles may be wise to consider adding another veteran body on the interior of the offensive line.
Chargers bring in Jim Harbaugh disciple NaVarro Bowman as linebackers coach
Harbaugh is continuing to put his mark on the Chargers, most recently by adding a former NFL linebacker to the coaching staff.
NaVarro Bowman was an impressive middle linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers during Harbaugh's run as head coach. Bowman retired from the NFL in 2019.
He was a defensive analyst at the University of Maryland last year and now joins the Chargers for his first NFL coaching gig.
Bowman recently spoke with ESPN's Kris Rhim about his new role.
“I think it benefits the players just having me here and just being able to give it to them both ways,” Bowman said. “Just being able to [say], ‘OK, you don't understand it this way. Let me break it down to you how you and your teammate will talk about it.' And I think that's relieved the guys a lot in our room. I love our room, it's a great room, a lot of competition, and I look forward to what's coming next.”
Bowman should have a lot of wisdom to impart on his linebackers. He was a four-time first-time All Pro and three-time Pro Bowler.
The Chargers have a stacked linebacker room for Bowman to work with. Veterans Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack hold down the edges with veteran Denzel Perryman and rookie Junior Colson on the inside. Colson, who played for Harbaugh at Michigan, in particular could benefit from Bowman's coaching.
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