Chargers training camp: Wide-open left guard battle is heating up

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers’ starting left guard competition continues to expand.

Through four training camp practices, five offensive linemen have worked at left guard with the first team. Kayode Awosika and rookie Jake Slaughter split reps with the starters on the opening day of camp. Awosika and Trevor Penning split reps on Day 2. On Day 3, Trey Pipkins III took all of the starters’ reps at left guard. And on Day 4, second-year lineman Branson Taylor took all the reps at left guard with the starters.

The other four positions are set: Rashawn Slater at left tackle, Tyler Biadasz at center, Cole Strange at right guard and Joe Alt at right tackle. The open spot is at left guard, and at this early stage of camp, it is clear the Chargers are considering all their options.

“It’s important not to be close-minded in situations where you have a handful of guys that are able to compete for a job,” offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said Friday.

The Chargers are setting the stage for their first padded practice, which will be Tuesday in San Diego. The physicality will increase substantially, and the real evaluation can begin.

“What you’re trying to do is get them comfortable, so that job competition can really take root,” McDaniel said of the rotation.

The coaching staff can assess details such as footwork, movement, eye discipline and body position during non-padded practices, McDaniel said.

But, he added, “I’m not even thinking about that race until we have some live action, competition with pads, to be fair to the players. We’re getting a vision of how they play, but it’s much different when you have 300 pounds of mass on your edge, and a subtle six-inch step determines whether or not you can actually execute that block. All those layers are important in the evaluation process.”

Taylor, a sixth-round pick in 2025, spent most of last season on the Chargers’ practice squad. He was elevated to starting left guard for a Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos. Taylor has returned for his second season in noticeably better shape. He has been working at both guard and tackle through the early days of camp.

Pipkins has played the best football of his NFL career at tackle. The Chargers moved him inside to right guard in 2024 during coach Jim Harbaugh’s first season. The results were mixed. Pipkins has not played left guard in a regular-season game. However, his athleticism is a clear fit in McDaniel’s scheme, particularly in the outside-zone running game. It’s possible Pipkins’ skill set will translate to guard more smoothly in this scheme than it did over the past two seasons in former-OC Greg Roman’s offense.

“Is he one of our five best linemen?” Harbaugh said Saturday of Pipkins. “Yeah, probably. He probably is.”

Penning was starting at left guard for the New Orleans Saints early last season before the Chargers traded for him at the deadline. The Chargers initially played Penning at tackle because of their injury situation. But he’s at his best inside at either left or right guard.

Slaughter, a second-round pick in April, played exclusively center in college. He has been transitioning to left guard since joining the Chargers. Over the past three practices, Slaughter has played center with the second-team offense and left guard with the third-team offense.

Awosika played 259 snaps at left guard for the Detroit Lions last season. The Chargers signed him to a one-year deal in free agency.

This is shaping up to be a heated and wide-open competition. Harbaugh said Saturday he hopes to settle on a starter after “roughly 10 to 13 more practices.” That would land somewhere in the third week of August. The Chargers have a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 18. They face the 49ers in their second preseason game Aug. 20.

“There’s going to be a really fun competition that’s just getting underway,” McDaniel said. “But really, you can’t claim a lead player in that race this early in the process, particularly because that’s a job of blocking people, and we really haven’t got to the stage of truly blocking someone, which occurs when you have pads on.”

News and notes

• Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu sat out team drills for the fourth straight practice. He remains in contract-extension negotiations with the Chargers. Tuipulotu was more active Saturday during position work, participating in multiple drills alongside teammates Khalil Mack and Akheem Mesidor. Harbaugh said the Chargers are “handling” the Tuipulotu situation “internally.” Harbaugh added that from the Chargers’ perspective, Tuipulotu is not dealing with a physical issue. “Ramping up,” the coach said.

• After the Chargers practiced at a jog-through pace during team drills Friday, they upped the tempo Saturday with more competitive 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven periods. The result was a spirited back-and-forth with both the offense and defense making plays.

Receiver Ladd McConkey made the first splash of the day when he beat cornerback Deane Leonard on a double move down the left sideline in seven-on-seven. Quarterback Justin Herbert launched a deep shot, and McConkey made a diving catch. McConkey bounced up in front of the fan bleachers and started hyping up the crowd.

Next, during the first 11-on-11 series, the first-team offense faced the first-team defense. On a second down, Herbert dropped back off play action and was looking downfield. Receiver Quentin Johnston and cornerback Donte Jackson were battling one-on-one down the right sideline. Herbert threw to Johnston. Jackson was in excellent coverage, and he nearly came down with the interception. After forcing the incompletion, Jackson returned the favor and got the crowd going.

The offense punched back later in this 11-on-11 period. The third-team offense was facing the third-team defense. On a long third down, Derius Davis sprinted out of the slot and took off down the left sideline. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei layered a beautiful ball to Davis’ outside shoulder. Davis dove and made the catch despite tight coverage from rookie defensive back Noah Avinger. Davis then pumped up the crowd.

It was a fun stretch that showed the energy is picking up as the Chargers eye their first padded practice. The team is off Sunday and will practice Monday in El Segundo before heading south for Tuesday’s practice at the University of San Diego.

• Two Chargers did not practice Saturday: tackle Laekin Vakalahi and receiver Mante Morrow.

• One rookie to keep an eye on as camp continues: undrafted free-agent cornerback Avery Smith. Smith had two pass breakups in Saturday’s practice, including one on a Herbert throw in 11-on-11. Receiver JaQuae Jackson was running toward the sideline on a sweeping crossing route. Smith recognized the route, stuck on Jackson’s hip and stretched his arm into the throwing lane for the deflection. Speed, awareness and ball skills were all on display from Smith. He is officially on my radar.

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