In a bold move to reinforce their offensive line, the Los Angeles Chargers have signed former Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James. The announcement made on March 18, 2025, is the first major step in addressing the glaring deficiencies observed during last season, particularly following a disheartening playoff loss where quarterback Justin Herbert faced relentless pressure from the opposing Houston Texans defense.
The Chargers have made it clear that entering the 2025 season with the same front five would be unacceptable. Last season's struggles highlighted the pressing need for an improved interior offensive line. James' addition comes on the heels of the franchise also securing former New York Jets standout Mekhi Becton on a two-year contract, setting an ambitious tone for the team's plans.
Andre James, who played his collegiate football at UCLA, has a solid background in the sport. Over his six-year professional career with the Raiders, James held down the starting center position from 2021 and has appeared in 61 of 80 games, garnering experience that is invaluable to Los Angeles. Despite his successful run, particularly in helping the Raiders achieve a high-performing offense that featured league-leading rusher Josh Jacobs, James faced challenges in the 2024 season. He struggled to maintain the quality of play he displayed in 2023, registering a disappointing season grade of 55.6, placing him 29th out of the 32 centers playing at least 500 snaps. For comparison, his counterpart Bradley Bozeman finished just ahead with a grade of 61.2.
Known for his pass protection, James previously excelled in 2023, ranking ninth among centers with a pass-block efficiency rating of 97.7. To grasp the significance of this, Bozeman, who remains with the Chargers, allowed 30 total pressures throughout the 2024 season, underscoring James' potential to elevate the team's performance in key situations.
With this signing, the Chargers now project an offensive line that includes Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt at tackle positions, alongside James and Becton inside, complemented by Zion Johnson. This revamped group displays a marked improvement over the previous season’s lineup, which struggled notably in both the pass and run game.
While James is officially on track to be the Chargers' starting center come Week 1, the competition remains fierce. He must prove his worth during training camp to solidify his spot against a roster that retained Bozeman, who started all 17 games in 2024. James acknowledges the pressure, noting that the assessment of his performance during camp will be crucial to the team's confidence in him moving forward.
Chargers’ management clearly sees the potential in James, complemented by Coach Jim Harbaugh's offense, which emphasizes swift decision-making and robust line protection. Harbaugh previously worked with Bozeman, illustrating the team’s strategy to evolve its offensive capabilities post-2024. "James represents experienced competition for the role, though, the 27-year-old has mostly drawn consistent PFF reviews during his career, with his best overall grade of 74.6 coming in 2023," a source from Sports Illustrated indicated.
As the Chargers prepare for the upcoming season, the ultimate goal remains to provide Herbert the security he needs to execute plays effectively without the constant threat of pressure. James' history indicates he has the skills to do just that—he has only incurred seven career penalties since entering the league as an undrafted free agent, a noteworthy statistic that reflects both his discipline and understanding of the game.
However, despite the promise that James brings, skepticism persists. The off-season chatter hints that while James’ past performance makes him an appealing option, the Chargers must not overlook the prospects of ongoing development in the emerging offensive line. “Despite the starting experience on his resume, I’m not entirely sold this move is the Chargers signifying who their next starting center will be,” the source added.
This signing could ultimately define the Chargers' effectiveness in 2025. Expectations are high for the team's revamped offensive line, aiming not only to improve upon the previous year's deficiencies but to redefine how they approach offensive strategies altogether. Fans eagerly anticipate how the newly formed line will perform, especially as they set their sights on reclaiming playoff glory.
