Corey Linsley spent most of this season on the reserve/NFI list, stripping the Chargers’ offensive line of an All-Pro talent. Exiting his abbreviated age-32 season, Linsley is not likely to come back.
A heart-related issue prompted the Chargers to move Linsley off the roster in September, and the 10-year veteran center said Monday he is “99%” likely to retire, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. Linsley has spent the past three seasons with the Chargers, coming over after a long run with the Packers.
An All-Pro in 2020 and a Pro Bowler in 2021, Linsley has done well for himself in terms of accolades and career earnings. But he is now expected to prioritize his health and walk away. Although the Chargers played without Linsley for much of the season, this will create a major need for the now-retooling team up front.
During an offseason in which the Chargers overhauled their offensive line, Linsley signed a five-year, $62.5MM deal. At the time of signing, that represented an AAV record for centers. The Chargers signed Linsley and Matt Feiler to go with first-round pick Rashawn Slater that year. Building up their front around Justin Herbert‘s rookie contract, the Bolts assembled an intriguing O-line. The group has been unable to stay healthy, however. Slater missed much of the 2022 season, while Linsley’s non-emergent heart condition kept him off the field for all but three games in 2023.
More to come.