Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman announced his retirement on Monday via Instagram, ending his NFL career at age 31. Bozeman’s decision comes as the Chargers prepare to revamp their struggling offensive line following a challenging 2025 season.
Bradley Bozeman Reflects on Career and Retirement
Selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens out of Alabama, Bozeman played four seasons in Baltimore before spending the last two years with the Carolina Panthers. He signed a two-year contract with the Chargers ahead of the 2024 season and was due to become a free agent this offseason. Across his recent two seasons with Los Angeles, Bozeman started 33 of 34 games but finished last among NFL centers in Pro Football Focus grades for 2025.
In his retirement announcement, Bozeman shared heartfelt thanks:
“This game has given me so much — lessons, lifelong friendships, and memories my family will carry forever,”
he wrote.
“I’ve poured everything I had into this journey, and I walk away grateful and proud.”
He continued to express appreciation for those around him:
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, and fan I was blessed to cross paths with along the way. Thank you to my amazing family who supported me every step of this journey, to my three amazing kids — Brody, Bailey, and Boone — who made every sacrifice worth it, and especially to my unbelievable wife, my ride or die from the very beginning. I couldn’t have done any of this without you!”
Chargers Face Major Changes in Offensive Line Composition
Bozeman’s retirement adds to mounting questions on the Chargers’ offensive line, which ranked near the bottom of the league last season. Left guard Zion Johnson is expected to enter free agency, while right guard Mekhi Becton struggled throughout 2025 after joining Los Angeles. The Chargers’ offensive tackles, including Jamaree Salyer, Trey Pipkins, Bobby Hart, and Austin Deculus, similarly fell in the lower tier of Pro Football Focus rankings.
Specifically, PFF ratings placed Johnson 47th out of 66 guards, Becton 65th out of 66, and Bozeman last at center, 34th out of 34. The line’s overall performance included a 31st-place ranking in pass blocking and last in run blocking. This poor protection contributed to quarterback Justin Herbert enduring 54 sacks—nearly the league’s highest total—and an NFL-high 42.8% pressure rate on his dropbacks in 2025.
New Leadership and Resources Signal Offensive Line Rebuild
The Chargers have an opportunity to address these weaknesses under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. With healthy returns expected from tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, the team’s focus will be rebuilding interior line strength in the offseason. Los Angeles possesses more than $78 million in effective salary cap space, second only to the Tennessee Titans, and holds the 22nd pick in the upcoming NFL Draft to target reinforcements.
Given these resources and the urgency created by Bozeman’s retirement announcement, the Chargers’ front office faces pressure to reshape an offensive line that struggled to protect their franchise quarterback. The moves made will be critical to improving offensive efficiency and overall team success in the coming seasons.
