When it comes to the Center position, the Los Angeles Chargers have been stuck with below-average play since the unfortunate health issues that arose with their former Star Center, Corey Linsley in September of 2023.
These health issues were eventually to be said a career-ending heart-related matter.
After his issues came about, the Chargers were stuck playing Will Clapp who while commendable was definitely not starting caliber, Brenden Jaimes who was a tackle in college and for the rest of 2023, then Bradley Bozeman all of 2024.
All of which proved to be issues for the Chargers offensive line.
While Bozeman showed to be a valuable teammate who is well respected in the locker room, his dependability on the field is not enough to warrant him to be the unquestioned starter moving forward, even if he was reliable in his health.
With that said, the Chargers, after giving fans plenty of doubt in their ability to self-scout and move on from players who are well-liked internally, went out and proved fans wrong by signing the recently released Raiders Center, Andre James.
The Chargers Sign Andre James: Their Best Move Yet
A Short Recap of James’ Raiders Career
Starting off as a tackle at UCLA, Andre James signed as a free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019, eventually working his way inside as a Center where he first started his full season in 2021.
His play in 2021 was under Jon Gruden who ran a west coast scheme which now with hindsight is not a fit for James and his strengths. The UCLA tackle convert still found success playing 1,139 snaps with a very commendable 64.1 offensive grade.
Moving into 2022 he was placed into a new scheme under new head coach, Josh McDaniels, who ran a gap-scheme-based offense that was a fit for the now multi-year Raiders Center. His play saw a slight decrease in offensive PFF grade with a 62.8. This is likely due to James being in a brand new scheme under a brand new coach.
Going into 2023, James was expected to finally take that next step as the Raiders Center. He was in his third year starting at the position and is going into year two of the same offensive scheme that in theory fits his best traits.
The future Chargers Center, James, had a career season in 2023. He absolutely exploded on the scene, becoming one of the league’s better Centers, having a 74.6 offensive grade. His offensive grade, pass blocking grade (71.2), and run blocking grade (75.0) were all top ten among all starting Centers in 2023.
This earned him a nice payday, a 3-year, 24-million-dollar contract extension with the Raiders.
Finally, moving into 2024, James was once again placed in a new scheme. This time another zone-based run scheme. An offense that was beyond atrocious, and ranked bottom 3-5 in every single category. This disallowed James to play at his potential, and he completely regressed.
His 2024 Season Statistics:
- 55.6 Offensive Grade (46th/64)
- 65.4 Pass Blocking Grade (26th/64)
- 50.2 Run Blocking Grade (57th/64)
How He Will Solve the Chargers Center Position in 2025
As of the time of writing this, Andre James is the Chargers most recent move, after a disappointing early part of free agency. An exciting one for Chargers fans who know the history as discussed earlier.
This move was surprising due to the loyalty the Chargers have shown to Bradley Bozeman, signing him to a new, multi-year deal even after his struggles in 2024.
This move led me and plenty of others to believe that was their idea of improving the offensive line, by simply having continuity and hoping for improvement by way of such.
Proven wrong shortly after, by the signing of Mekhi Becton and now Andre James, this Chargers offensive line is much improved and is the strength of the team that Coach Jim Harbaugh has preached for so long.
Last Word on Andre James
A perfect move that does not go against General Manager, Joe Hortiz’s beloved compensatory pick strategy (this is because James was cut by the Raiders) as well as a cost-effective move that can turn into a long-term solution at a dire position of need.
Specifically on the Chargers Center spot in regards to James, he will come in on day one with the inside track to start. I would believe that there will be a camp battle between him and Bozeman as James is coming off a terrible season and Bozeman was just signed to a multi-year extension.
However, those reasons are not enough for me to believe Bozeman will win the battle. If any semblance of 2023 Andre James is left, he will easily sure up this Chargers Center spot for the foreseeable future, especially now that he is in an offensive that fits him and will surround him with the support he needs to become the player he was just a season ago.
Main Image: Robert Hanashiro – USA Today Sports
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