Chargers C Bradley Bozeman announces retirement after eight-season NFL career
Bradley Bozeman, the starting center for the Los Angeles Chargers, has announced his retirement from the NFL after an eight-year career.
Why it matters: Bozeman's retirement leaves a significant void at the center position for the Chargers, who now find themselves without any players under contract in that role.
- His departure follows a two-year stint with the Chargers after starting his career with the Baltimore Ravens, where he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
What’s new: Bozeman made his announcement via Instagram, expressing gratitude for the experiences and friendships he gained throughout his career.
- In his post, he reflected on the lessons learned and memories created during his time in football, stating, "This game has given me so much — lessons, lifelong friendships, and memories my family will carry forever."
By the numbers: Over the course of his career, Bozeman started 110 games, contributing to both the Ravens and Chargers' offensive lines.
- Last season, he ranked 30th among centers in the league with a pass block win rate of 92.5%, while Tyler Linderbaum, a potential target for the Chargers to fill the void left by Bozeman, ranked as the second-best pass-blocking center with a remarkable 97.2% win rate.
Yes, but: While his statistics indicate solid performance, Bozeman acknowledged mixed feelings about his own play last season.
- He noted, "There's things that I wish I could take back, obviously, but overall, I feel like I had a solid year. A lot of people don't think that, but a lot of people aren't in our room."
What’s next: The Chargers are projected to have significant cap space heading into free agency, estimated to be the third-most in the league.
- With Bozeman's contract no longer impacting their salary cap, they may look to capitalize on this flexibility to secure a strong replacement at center.
The bottom line: As Bozeman steps away from football, the Chargers must pivot quickly to address their needs along the offensive line, especially with key free agency decisions looming.
- The franchise's push to remain competitive may depend heavily on how they approach filling the center position, particularly as they look to empower their offensive schemes moving forward.
