The Bolts have found their new starting center.

The Chargers on Friday announced they have signed with Tyler Biadasz to a multi-year deal, a move that solidifies the middle of the offensive line and also fills a major need at the position.

With Bradley Bozeman recently retiring, the Chargers were among a robust group of teams around NFL who were looking for a center.

Striking quickly on Biadasz, who was a free agent after his recent release from Washington, is a smart move from Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz and his staff.

It was a perfect match for both sides from the jump.

"It was a combination of the opportunity and what it presented with the coaching staff," Biadasz told Chargers.com. "Also the players I've known throughout my time in the league and have great relationships with them off the field in regards to some of the O-Linemen, being able to work with them throughout the years off the field."

He later added: "So blessed and honored to be here with the L.A. Chargers and continue my career and continue to compete for a championship. Not only that, but do it with these coaches that have the personality types and energy, passion and desire to win."

According to Pro Football Focus, Biadasz posted an overall grade of 71.5 in 2025 regular season, good for ninth among all players at that position with at least 800 snaps.

Biadasz was also ninth among centers in that group with a PFF pass-blocking grade of 67.1 and was 11^th with a run-blocking grade of 71.2.

To put this in the simplest terms possible, Biadasz was a Top 10 center last season and should pay immediate dividends for the Chargers up front.

The 28-year-old center has also been incredibly durable since becoming a full-time starter in 2021.

Over the past five seasons, Biadasz has played 5,191 total snaps, which ranks second among all centers in that timeframe.

Biadasz's overall PFF grade of 72.0 since 2021 ranks seventh among centers with at least 3,500 snaps.

Dependable? Check.

Solid? Check.

Pro Bowler? Check. (Biadasz earned that honor in 2022).

This is a great move by Hortiz and the Chargers to get this done before the free agency frenzy kicks off next week.

With center being among the team's top priorities and with the Chargers having nearly $100 million in cap space, it would have been easy for Hortiz to throw big money around to solve the position.

But that's not how he operates.

After the 2024 season, Hortiz said the Chargers would be "responsible and clinical in our approach" to free agency.

And in January, Hortiz noted that "I don't want to spend recklessly, I know that."

Getting Biadasz done at a reasonable price means the Bolts still have plenty of room to address other areas of their roster, whether that be pending internal free agents or players who will be on the market next week.

Throw in the fact that Biadasz won't count against the 2027 comp pick formula because he was released before the start of the 2026 New League Year and this is a win-win all around for the Bolts.

As the Chargers transition to a new scheme under Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel, look for Biadasz to be a leader and focal point up front.

"It was a great opportunity," Biadasz said. "When I got to talk with the staff yesterday throughout the whole day and their philosophy and system, their belief and how to attack defenses, it really fit me in regards to my ability and my passion and energy and what they bring to the table."

The 6-foot-4 and 316-pound center might not be the biggest player on the field. But he wins with his football IQ and savvy play, something that should ensure him to Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and the rest of the staff.

Plus, Biadasz has some familiarity within the building already as he played in the Big Ten with Rashawn Slater in college and trained with the Chargers star left tackle in Dallas in recent years.

As it stands now, the Bolts are set at tackle with Slater and Joe Alt, both of whom are expected to return from injury in 2026.

We'll see what the Chargers do at right guard now that they released Mekhi Becton. Left guard is still uncertain with Zion Johnson slated to be a free agent.

But slotting Biadasz in at center is an important and necessary step for the Chargers are they look to protect Justin Herbert more consistently going forward — and he's fired up to do so.

"We came out in the same draft class, got to know him over the years. Every time we played each other, we see each other after the game, check in on one another," Biadasz said about Herbert. "Even though we didn't talk too much outside of the game, any time I see him we catch up.

"Very excited to go compete with him and build that relationship and chemistry day in and day out," he added. "I know he's a great guy that has a great work ethic. To have that leadership at that position is huge. Not enough great things to say about him, there's so many great things about him. With his identity and how he goes about his business, I'm very excited to work with him."

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