Bolts From The Blue - All Posts

Jim Harbaugh has ‘settled’ on the Chargers’ starting offensive line

2025-08-04T13:05:54-07:00

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

After working on different groups, the Chargers offensive line won’t look much different from the 2024 starting group.

On Monday, head coach Jim Harbaugh officially announced the starting five offensive linemen for the Chargers: Left tackle Rashawn Slater, left guard Zion Johnson, center Bradley Bozeman, right guard Mekhi Becton, and right tackle Joe Alt.

Yes, that is essentially the same group that started for the team a year ago aside from Becton who has replaced 2024 starter Trey Pipkins.

Jim Harbaugh said he’s settled on his “best five” for the starting offensive line: LT Rashawn Slater, LG Zion Johnson, C Bradley Bozeman, RG Mekhi Becton, RT Joe Alt
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) August 4, 2025

For those hoping there would be more change to this group from last year to now, you’re probably feeling a disappointed. Just know you are likely not alone in that. The interior of the offensive line was by far one of the weakest links in the Chargers roster and somehow the team decided that it wasn’t all that bad and only one new face in the interior trio was needed.

Until the pads come on and real football gets underway, we won’t know just how much progress was made (or lack thereof) by guys like Bozeman and Johnson. Johnson is entering year four while Bozeman is in year eight. Both have been a professional long enough that it’s fairly safe to assume they’ve both become who they’re going to be in the NFL, which makes the decision to sit on their hands regarding the problem all the more frustrating.

But here we are, once again in a position to fall back on the “In Harbaugh We Trust” mindset. I’m willing to wait and see how the group gels this season, but I can’t say there’s much leeway past that.

Chargers sign DL Nesta Jade Silvera

2025-08-04T12:41:00-07:00

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Nesta Jade Silvera, a former Raiders seventh-round pick, was most recently with the Packers.

On Monday, the Chargers announced the signing of defensive lineman Nesta Jade Silvera. In a corresponding move, the team waived/injured defensive tackle Josh Fuga after he was carted off the field during Saturday’s practice.

Silvera was originally a seventh-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 and most recently spent the latter part of the 2024 regular season with the San Francisco 49ers. Following the season, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers but was released on July 18.

we’ve signed DL Nesta Jade Silvera

→ https://t.co/JxfwLkyDco pic.twitter.com/qX5S5fblvK
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 4, 2025

The 6’2, 304-pound defensive lineman played one season at Arizona State (2022) and spent the previous four seasons at the University of Miami.

Silvera has 10 total tackles in two NFL seasons, playing in just nine games combined from 2023-2024.

The Chargers added a handful of new bodies this offseason along the interior of the defensive line, including Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones. As it stands, Silvera is likely just a camp body to help fill out the position during training camp.

Can you guess this Chargers player in today’s in-5 trivia game?

2025-08-04T07:00:00-07:00

Think you can figure out which Chargers player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Welcome back to another edition of Chargers In-5 Trivia!

Do you have the knowledge to guess today’s player before you five chances are up? Dive in and find out for yourself!

As always, whether you love it or hate it, we’d appreciate feedback in this Google Form!

If you can’t see the embedded game and you’re using Apple News, click this link.

Previous games

Sunday, August 3, 2025
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bolts From The Blue in-5 instructions

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Chargers player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Chargers Daily Links: Monday Open Thread

2025-08-04T06:50:00-07:00

Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images

Your source for all Chargers and NFL news from around the web.

Good morning, Chargers fans!

Welcome back to another week. We’ve got six days until the Chargers play their next preseason game. Let’s hope it flies by.

And now for today’s links.

Chargers News:

Check out pictures from Day 13 of Chargers training camp (Chargers.com)

Nikko Reed is off to a stellar start in training camp (Chargers.com)

Three Chargers on the roster bubble who helped themselves against the Lions (Chargers Wire)

Ladd McConkey would welcome Keenan Allen back to the Chargers with open arms (Bolt Beat)

NFL News:

Salvon Ahmed was seriously injured by a hip drop tackle during practice (ESPN)

James Cook is sitting out Bills practices while he awaits a new deal (ESPN)

Potential landing spots for Micah Parsons if he actually does get traded (CBS Sports)

Ben Johnson was heated after a sloppy offensive session by the Bear (NFL.com)

Alex Highsmith is being evaluated for a groin injury (Pro Football Talk)

The Dolphins made Zach Sieler their highiest-paid defensive player on the team (Sports Illustrated)

Can you guess this Chargers d-lineman in today’s in-5 trivia game?

2025-08-03T07:00:00-07:00

Think you can figure out which Chargers player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Welcome back to another edition of Chargers In-5 Trivia!

Do you have the knowledge to guess today’s player before you five chances are up? Dive in and find out for yourself!

As always, whether you love it or hate it, we’d appreciate feedback in this Google Form!

If you can’t see the embedded game and you’re using Apple News, click this link.

Previous games

Saturday, August 2, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025
Thursday, July 31, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bolts From The Blue in-5 instructions

Denzel Perryman arrested on felony firearm charge

2025-08-02T15:13:43-07:00

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

The long-time Chargers linebacker was arrested on Friday night after police stopped him en route to a local gun range.

On Friday night, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman was arrested on a felony weapon charge, per public records. The veteran was stopped for vehicle code violations before officers discovered a handful of firearms in the car, including two assault style rifles.

Per Perryman, he was on his way to a local gun range when he was stopped. As of Saturday morning, Perryman was still booked in jail. He’s due to appear in court on Tuesday.

According to Perryman’s agent, Ron Butler, the linebacker was cooperative with officers through the entire encounter. He’s currently being held without bail at South Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station.

The Chargers said in a statement that they were gathering more information.

Perryman is currently slated to start at linebacker for the Chargers this season after rejoining the team for his second stint in Los Angeles a season ago. The Bolts just beat the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night. Perryman did not play as most starters were held out of the exhibition.

With the Chargers set to continue training camp this week, it remains to be seen just how much time Perryman will miss as he deals with this current situation.

Can you guess this Chargers linebacker in today’s in-5 trivia game?

2025-08-02T07:00:00-07:00

Think you can figure out which Chargers player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Welcome back to another edition of Chargers In-5 Trivia!

Do you have the knowledge to guess today’s player before you five chances are up? Dive in and find out for yourself!

As always, whether you love it or hate it, we’d appreciate feedback in this Google Form!

If you can’t see the embedded game and you’re using Apple News, click this link.

Previous games

Friday, August 1, 2025
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bolts From The Blue in-5 instructions

Chargers roster prediction following 34-7 win over Lions

2025-08-01T13:30:18-07:00

Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images

Here’s our first attempt at predicting the Chargers’ final 53-man roster.

The Chargers are 1-0 this preseason after trouncing the Lions 34-7 on Thursday night in the annual Hall of Fame Game.

After each preseason game, we’re going to throw up a 53-man roster prediction based on the team’s most recent performance. Here’s our first exercise after Thursday night.

Enjoy!

Quarterback (3): Justin Herbert, Taylor Heinicke, Trey Lance

The Chargers kept three quarterbacks last year and I believe they will do the same this year. Heinicke is a trsut-worthy backup with starting experience. Lance showed improvement from last preseason to now with his two-touchdown performance against the Lions in the Hall of Fame Game.

Similar to the 49ers getting a fourth-round pick from the Cowboys in a trade for Lance, the Chargers could end up earning themselves a late pick on day three from a QB-needy team if Lance continues to show progression during the 2025 preseason.

Running back (5): Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris, Hassan Haskins, Nyheim Miller-Hines, Scott Matlock (FB)

The jury is still out on exactly how injured Harris is following the fireworks accident. Until we get some clear idea of his return to the field, this is Hampton’s backfield. Haskins is an elite special teamer and the newly-signed Miller-Hines provides depth and return ability. Matlock played more fullback than defensive tackle in 2024 so I expect him to do the same again in 2025.

Wide Receiver (5): Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre’ Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Derius Davis

The Chargers will still want to run the football all the same in 2025, only better and more efficiently this season. They added two exciting rookies in Harris and KLS, both of whom have popped in training camp thus far. Davis is also coming along in year three while providing All-Pro level return ability.

Tight end (4): Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Ordonde Gadsden II, Tucker Fisk

The tight end room this year is like a basketball team. Dissly is your center. Conklin is a power forward. Gadsden is a stretch forward/shooting guard, and Fisk is your enforcer (yes, that’s the position name).

They’ve got a guy for every job they could ask one of them to do and some even have a decent amount of overlap within their skillsets. I like this group. I think they’ve got a high floor and will surprise this season.

Offensive linemen (9): Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton, Joe Alt, Jamaree Salyer, Trey Pipkins II, Branson Taylor, Ryan Nelson

Nine has always been a good number for the Chargers as far as the number of linemen to keep and I think that continues this season. Until they officially announce anything different, I expect the starting five to be the same as last year minus Becton in place of Pipkins. Salyer and Pipkins both provide the most versatility at guard and tackle (and now center for the former).

Nelson has been praised by Harbaugh already so I like his chances after coming over from the UFL. Taylor was a late day-three pick of the team this year but I’m not sold on him being kept. He’s likely the guy most on the fringe here.

Interior Defensive Linemen (4): Teair Tart, Da’Shawn Hand, Naquan Jones, Otito Ogbonnia,

The Chargers would technically be keeping five bodies here with Matlock included, but we have him grouped up with the backs.

In all honesty, I think they need more bodies here, but I’m not sure where to make cuts elsewhere. Hand and Jones are the new guys on the block to pair with Tart and Ogbonnia. This is definitely the weakest position on the team and a group that I don’t think will be settled until after final cuts have been made around the NFL.

Edge rushers (5): Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard, Caleb Murphy

Caleb Murphy was impressive in the Hall of Fame Game and I think he ends up making this team as a special teams contributor.

Other than Murphy, the other four ahead of him are to be expected.

Linebackers (4): Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Junior Colson, Troy Dye

Another group where I like to have at least one more body.

Henley and Perryman will lead this group with Colson and Dye behind them. Colson needs to take a step forward in his progression after a ho-hum rookie season plagued by injuries. Dye flashed in 2024 and will once again provide some quality depth.

Cornerbacks (6): Tarheeb Still, Donte Jackson, Cam Hart, Nikko Reed, Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard

I’m already very confident that Reed will make this team. He’s been balling on a daily basis in camp and that’s a quick recipe to get the coaches on your side. I could see the Chargers keeping five players here, but I couldn’t get myself to cut one of Taylor or Leonard, both of whom are core special teams players.

Safeties (5): Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, RJ Mickens

Safety remains one of the best positions on the Chargers. They keep their top four from a season ago and add rookie R.J. Mickens who has flashed in camp and will likely play a lot of special teams.

I like this group a lot.

Special Teams (3): Cameron Dicker (K), JK Scott (P), Josh Harris (LS)

Nothing to change here. Keep it strong and churning for another year.

Dicker did hit one off the left upright against the Lions from 52 yards out, but let’s just get those misses out of the way during the preseason, yeah?