The Los Angeles Chargers were known to be in the market for guys who could bolster their offensive line this offseason and they've secured one of the marquee names. According to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Chargers are making Corey Linsley the highest-paid center in the NFL with his new contract.
The Chargers deal that both sides agreed upon is worth $62.5 million over five years, making him the highest-paid center in the league.
Chargers, center Corey Linsley agree to five-year, $62.5M deal. (via @MikeGarafolo + @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/rAfPpf7Oh5
— NFL (@NFL) March 15, 2021
Linsley began his career as a fifth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers out of Ohio State in the 2014 NFL Draft. The former Buckeye would immediately become a mainstay on Green Bay's offensive line as he started in all 16 games in his rookie campaign.
In his seven seasons with the Packers, Linsley started in 99 games, missing only 13 games in his career thus far. Just this past season, Linsley started in 13 games for Green Bay en route to earning his first All-Pro nod despite never making a Pro Bowl.
Linsley was expected to receive plenty of interest on the open market after another stellar campaign in 2020. The 29-year-old offensive guard likely knew his time in Green Bay was coming to a close once he realized how much he could garner in free agency.
With Justin Herbert proving to be the long-term solution at quarterback for the Chargers, the organization is making sure he isn't playing behind a dismal offensive line. Even though Trai Turner has been released by Los Angeles this offseason after trading for him last offseason, the Chargers were able to land Bryan Bulaga last year.
Bulaga and Linsley were teammates on the Packers from 2014-2019, giving Green Bay two prominent players on the offensive line. Fast forward to now and both of them will be on the Chargers. Their main task is to protect Herbert, who is expected to be one of the up-and-coming quarterbacks in the NFL.
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