3 Observations: Chargers Continue to Mix & Match O-Line Groups in OTAs

The Chargers held a short practice Monday and will hold three more Organized Team Activity (OTA) sessions this week

Jun 08, 2026 at 01:50 PM

Editorial Director

We've reach the final week of Chargers Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices as the Bolts practiced Monday for just under an hour in helmets and shorts.

Jim Harbaugh's team will also hold three more OTAs this week before a three-day mandatory minicamp from June 16-18 at The Bolt.

Here are three observations from the Chargers OTA practice on Monday:

1. Plenty of O-line combinations

Chargers offensive line coach Butch Barry took to the podium Monday morning and spoke with reporters for nearly 20 minutes in an in-depth look at the offensive line.

Barry was the Dolphins offensive line coach for the past three seasons under Mike McDaniel and also previously worked with the Chargers Offensive Coordinator in San Francisco.

"Energy is really high and it's a lot of fun," Barry said about the vibe in OTAs. "And that's how I like to conduct myself so I really enjoy it a lot."

There's also plenty of competition, too, as the Chargers continued to mix and match offensive line combinations in Monday's brief practice.

As we enter mid-June, four players — left tackle Rashawn Slater, center Tyler Biadasz, right guard Cole Strange and right tackle Joe Alt — have taken the majority of the reps up front. Biadasz, Strange and Alt in particular have worked closely together this spring.

The main competition has been at left guard, where Kayode Awosika and rookie second-round pick Jake Slaughter continue to rotate up front. Awosika has been up first in drills before Slaughter comes in to split reps.

Barry spoke Monday about both players.

"It's great, he's learning everything. He's doing center, he's doing guard, he's doing a lot of different things," Barry said of Slaughter, who also took some reps at center on Monday. "He's been great to work with, he's really, really sharp, he's all in on it, he loves ball.

"Everything from the draft process, he's really tough, a lot of great things and qualities about him that he loves. He's doing a great job," Barry added.

Barry later added about Awosika:

"Kayode has done a nice job. He's a guy who's been around football for a while, veteran player, has done really good things. He's all in, he's been great with the group," Barry said.

The next group was made up, from left to right, Trey Pipkins III, Ben Cleveland, Jacob Spomer, Trevor Penning and Branson Taylor.

The final combination included, from left to right, Travis Burke, Logan Taylor, Spomer, Taylor and Laekin Vakalahi.

"Everyone is competing," Barry said. "It's awesome, we're rolling different guys. Like Coach [Harbaugh] says, all competitors are welcome."

2. Still debuts new number

Tarheeb Still debuted some new digits on Monday.

Well, make that one digit.

The Chargers cornerback, who has worn No. 29 in the first two seasons of his career, was sporting No. 4 when he took the practice field for practice.

The most recent player to wear No. 4 for the Chargers was running back Gus Edwards in 2024. But the most notable is Harbaugh, who wore No. 4 during the 1999 and 2000 seasons with the Bolts.

Harbaugh and Still shared a moment together before Monday's practice.

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3. Hampton back in action

Omarion Hampton was back at practice Monday, a positive sign after the running back had been working off to the side during recent OTA practices open to media members.

Hampton took the lead in individual drills and was up first in team drills, too.

Chargers running backs coach Max McCaffrey spoke highly of Hampton's skillset when asked about him last week.

"He can fit into any scheme," said McCaffrey, an alum of Duke. "With his strength and size and the athleticism he displays each day in practice — I watched him at Chapel Hill, a rival school of mine, but he tore us up a couple times — but it was fun getting to watch him develop.

"Getting to work with him now and seeing how he adapts to this system, he's doing a great job," McCaffrey added.

Hampton tallied 545 rushing yards and four touchdowns to go along with 192 receiving yards and a touchdown in just nine games as a rookie.