The Chargers Made The Big Trade Everyone Expected To Replace Joe Alt

Obviously, this is not the move that Chargers fans were hoping for. The Chargers offensive line is in absolute shambles right now, Justin Herbert is being hit at a historic rate and they're about to go into an incredibly difficult front 7 in Pittsburgh. 

But this is exactly why I'm ok with this. Any warm body with ANY experience is a plus on this line. Part of this specific trade has a bit of irony. In the 2022 draft, Chargers fans prayed the team would pass on Penning in favor of Zion Johnson. That's how it shaked out, the fans were vindicated since Penning pretty much stunk (Zion has not been THAT much better, to be clear). Now, we have to root for the guy we laughed at to protect our precious baby boy from TJ Watt & Co. So why would I think this is a good thing? 

Penning might be bad but I don't really care because of the cost. Here are the last few Chargers 6th round picks 

- OL Branson Taylor (practice squad)

- DB RJ Mickens (who has given mediocre play after being pressed into service following injuries/trades)

- RB Kimani Vidal (Had a great game vs Miami but wouldn't have seen a snap if RB1 & RB2 didn't go down)

- DE/FB Scott Matlock (Terrorist)

- DB Ja'Sir Taylor (relegated to ST player and then traded)

- LB Nick Niemann (ST player)

- RB Larry Rountree (49 career carries at 2.2 Y/A)

If the worst thing they lost is a player of this caliber, that's fine with me. And maybe, however unlikely, the change of scenery helps. Ravens fans swore to me that Odafe Oweh was a bum that couldn't finish a sack. He has 4 in 4 games with us since the trade. Penning has been on a turbodogshit team trying to protect bad, mostly immobile QBs. Maybe protecting a human tank like Justin Herbert will prove a little easier than QBs like Jameis, Siemian, Carr or Rattler.