Chargers quickly learned what Raiders fans knew all along about Andre James

The Las Vegas Raiders' new leadership under head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek made significant roster changes, including promoting Jackson Powers-Johnson to starting center. This move made veteran center Andre James expendable, leading to his release at the start of free agency. James subsequently signed with the Raiders' AFC West rival, the Los Angeles Chargers.

Raiders fans were unconcerned by James joining a division foe, viewing him as a solid but declining player no longer in his prime. Chargers fans initially believed James would be their new starting center, but he is currently listed second on the team's depth chart, confirming the Raiders' assessment of him as a backup-level player at this stage. The Raiders might have retained James in a backup role if not for his $11 million salary for the season.

Compounding James' situation, the Chargers' poor interior offensive line performance last season prompted head coach Jim Harbaugh to swap center Bradley Bozeman and left guard Zion Johnson, moving Johnson to center despite him never having played the position. This decision is seen as a gamble and a slight to James, who has 60 NFL starts at center, indicating Harbaugh's reluctance to start him.

James' decline is evidenced by his 2024 Pro Football Focus grade of 55.6, ranking him 47th out of 64 qualifying centers. While he might still earn the starting job during training camp or be inserted later in the 2025 season, the Chargers appear to be learning the same lesson the Raiders did: Andre James is no longer a viable starting NFL center. His current status as the Chargers' potential best option reflects poorly on their situation at the position.