Tyler Biadasz was supposed to stabilize the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive line that battered Justin Herbert throughout 2025. His knee injury, suffered on Tuesday, has changed that plan before Week 1, and the Pittsburgh Steelers happen to have a veteran who could help. Brock Hoffman has outplayed Ryan McCollum in camp, giving Omar Khan a trade chip while Los Angeles scrambles for a center.
Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Biadasz is out indefinitely after suffering ACL damage and additional knee injuries in Tuesday's joint practice against the San Francisco 49ers. The 28-year-old center is seeking more medical opinions, leaving Los Angeles without the veteran it just signed for three years and $30 million.
Herbert already spent 2025 absorbing 54 sacks, a career high and the NFL's third-most behind Geno Smith and Cam Ward. Rashawn Slater missed the season with a torn patellar tendon, while Joe Alt lasted six games before ankle surgery. For perspective, Herbert took four more sacks than Ben Roethlisberger did when he was sacked a career-high 50 times in 2009.
Pittsburgh Steelers can't afford to sell low on Brock Hoffman if the Charger come calling
Hoffman, 27, is listed as Spencer Anderson's backup on Pittsburgh's preseason depth chart. He's played 54 career games with 16 starts for the Dallas Cowboys, where he allowed only half a sack across four seasons. His ability to handle center or either guard spot is why his arrival squeezed McCollum's roster odds before camp opened.
Los Angeles can hand the job to second-round rookie Jake Slaughter, who was drafted 55th overall after 33 college starts at center. The Chargers also list Josh Kaltenberger and Jacob Spomer behind him, but neither has taken a regular-season NFL snap. After last year's weekly protection scramble, trusting three rookies would take some serious nerve.
Khan shouldn't shop Hoffman casually. Zach Frazier is entrenched as the starter, yet Hoffman has taken first-team right guard reps and may be Pittsburgh's best reserve at three interior spots. That versatility becomes even more valuable with the offensive line rotation unsettled and roster cuts approaching.
McCollum is the more realistic bargain-bin target because he's a center-only reserve fighting for a roster spot. Spencer Anderson started at center in college, but he's currently Pittsburgh's first-team right guard and offers five-position flexibility. A Hoffman deal should require an overpay, likely a useful Day 3 pick rather than a late-round swap.
Slaughter's pro work has come in preseason, and Biadasz was supposed to let him develop without a rush. Slaughter took over when Biadasz went down Tuesday. If the Chargers hit up Khan, but they don't meet his price, their rookie gets the first crack at keeping Herbert upright.
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