The Facts: The Los Angeles Chargers' 2021 offseason goal under new coach Brandon Staley was straightforward: Improve the offensive line in front of Herbert. "We want to be a complete offense and we really want to be a complete team. And I think that's what's gonna allow Justin to be as good as he can be," Staley said. "I think everybody knows how special he is, but I think what we wanted to be able to do is become a line-of-scrimmage team. ... I think that that's gonna allow our skills guys to really express themselves. You guys know, Keenan [Allen], Mike [Williams], Austin [Ekeler], Jared Cook?. We've got a lot of weapons and it's certainly gonna allow Justin to play at a high level."
Diehards Line:L.A. gave big money to center Corey Linsley and added guards Oday Aboushi and Matt Feiler in free agency. Then the Chargers used a first-round pick on Rashawn Slater and a fifth-rounder on backup guard Brenden Jaimes. On paper, a line composed of Slater, Aboushi, Linsley, Feller and right tackle Bryan Bulaga is a massive upgrade to what was in front of Herbert last season. That's definitely a good thing. Last season, Herbert was under immense pressure almost from the snap. According to Pro Football Focus, the Chargers O-line ranked 28th in the NFL in pass-blocking efficiency, one spot behind the Cincinnati line, which has been skewered for getting Joe Burrow pummeled last season. L.A. allowed 201 total pressures, per PFF, tied for second-most. Despite the enormous pressure he was under, Herbert excelled on his way to winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The young QB proved he could be on time and accurate even when getting blasted. Imagine what he could do with additional time to carve up defenses.