After Day 3 of Chargers training camp, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said nothing is set in stone regarding who will be the starting left guard at the start of the season.
“You’re trying to get people ready to win the job,” McDaniel said.
“I’m very resistant to crowning someone in non-padded practices.
“I think with his length and range from a pass pro perspective, it’s very exciting to have someone like that at that position.”
McDaniel added that the competition for the job is still ongoing.
“I’m not even thinking about that race until we have some live-action competition with pads, to be fair to the players,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said Kayode Awosika, Jake Slaughter, Trevor Penning, and Pipkins are the core of the left guard competition.
Awosika practiced as the left guard with the second team on the 11-on-11 drills with Trey Lance, and Slaughter was with the third team with DJ Uiagalelei.
Pipkins was spotted working on line blocking for Justin Herbert on 11-on-11 at left guard alongside Rashawn Slater, Tyler Biadasz, Cole Strange and Joe Alt. Pipkins’ primary position is offensive tackle.
The 29-year-old has primarily played both right and left tackle. At times, he has filled in at right guard in his career with the Chargers.
Last season, Pipkins logged 606 offensive snaps, accounting for 69 percent of the Chargers’ offensive plays. None of those snaps came at left guard.
Pipkins does have experience playing guard, though it came on the right side. The former third-round pick played right guard in 2024, logging 838 snaps and appearing on 90 percent of the team’s offensive plays.
Last season, Pipkins played in 13 games, with 10 starts. He was called for one holding penalty and five false starts.
The Chargers’ interior offensive line was one of their biggest weaknesses last season, making it crucial for McDaniel to get that unit on track so Herbert and the offense can operate at their full potential.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers left guard competition: Mike McDaniel’s latest comments
Reporting by Ricardo Sandoval , Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ricardo Sandoval , Chargers Wire | USA TODAY Network
