Chargers All-Pro Center Says He’s Likely To Retire

(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

The Los Angeles Chargers had a down season in 2023 full of injuries, bad plays, and a coaching firing.

They’ll head into the 2024 offseason with the No. 5 overall pick, though, and inevitably a new head coach and general manager.

One of the other things they’ll need to find this offseason is a new starting center after Corey Linsley announced he’s likely to retire from the NFL after 10 years in the league because of heart issues, according to Ari Meirov.

#Chargers All-Pro center Corey Linsley said he’s likely to to retire from the NFL after 10 seasons due to the heart issues that caused him to miss the last 14 games of the season. One of the best players at his position. pic.twitter.com/x4VuiwgMsY

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 8, 2024

Linsley played the past three years in Los Angeles after seven years with the Green Bay Packers.

But earlier this season, Linsley was placed on the non-football illness list with a non-emergency heart related medical issue and missed the rest of the season after three games.

Linsley was just one of several key players on offense who missed considerable time due to injuries, the others being wide receivers Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, and Josh Palmer as well as quarterback Justin Herbert.

The Chargers have one of the best offensive rosters in the NFL and should be able to bounce back quickly if they can find the right coach as well as some more offensive linemen – center included.

Linsley’s absence will surely sting, but his decision makes more sense as someone who has to think about his long-term health rather than his playing career.

Center could be a focus for the Chargers in the 2024 draft, although the team will likely draft a different position with their top-5 pick in the spring.

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