The Los Angeles Chargers will turn to rookie Jake Slaughter at center after Tyler Biadasz suffered a knee injury that ended his season during a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff selected Slaughter to take over the starting position.
Biadasz joined the Chargers this spring on a three-year, $30 million contract. He was expected to help strengthen the interior of the offensive line and support the team's running game. Biadasz made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and received a 70.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus for the 2025 season.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said Slaughter has shown a strong ability to concentrate and accept coaching. McDaniel also described the rookie as someone who wants corrections and is focused on performing his role properly for the team.
McDaniel said he does not expect Slaughter to avoid every mistake in his first NFL game. Instead, he said the rookie has shown an ability to respond to adversity and could produce his strongest play after something goes wrong.
Slaughter was selected in the second round of April's NFL draft after playing at the University of Florida. He earned first-team All-SEC recognition in 2024 and 2025. Pro Football Focus ranked him eighth among centers overall and third in run-blocking among centers for the 2025 season.
