Chargers face roster dilemma as Cleveland’s fit under McDaniel questioned

Ben Cleveland’s position with the Los Angeles Chargers is under intense scrutiny as the club prepares for the 2026 season. The offensive lineman, who joined the Chargers in 2025 after his release from the Baltimore Ravens, faces significant uncertainty regarding his standing in the new coaching regime. Analysts and internal assessments suggest that Cleveland’s specific skillset is ill-suited for the tactical demands of the incoming system.

The transition to a Mike McDaniel-led offense marks a distinct departure from the Greg Roman scheme that Cleveland previously operated within. McDaniel’s system prioritises dynamic athletes capable of executing outside-zone running plays. In contrast, Cleveland’s profile is anchored in power-run mechanics, a style that has defined much of his professional career but now presents a structural mismatch with the Chargers’ strategic direction.

Cleveland’s collegiate and professional trajectory offers context to these concerns. A former four-star recruit from the University of Georgia, he was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft by Baltimore. While he showed promise early, including a Third-Team All-American selection in 2020, his NFL tenure has been characterised by inconsistency and injury. He started 11 games across five seasons with the Ravens but struggled to maintain a permanent starting role, often serving in rotational or special teams capacities.

His time with the Chargers began late in the 2025 season, signed to provide depth for the final weeks of the regular season and playoffs. He did not appear in a regular-season game for Los Angeles but was retained on a reserve/futures contract. Despite his physical stature, standing at 6’6” and weighing between 345 and 360 pounds, Cleveland has not met the expectations associated with his draft status or his previous success in a tailored offensive environment.

With the 2026 training camp approaching, Cleveland is expected to compete for the final roster spot, potentially against current Chargers offensive lineman Trevor Penning. This competition assumes the Chargers choose to carry nine offensive linemen on their active roster. As of now, there are no notable reports indicating Cleveland has secured a starting position or a clear place on the two-deep depth chart, leaving his future with the team in jeopardy.