Bradley Bozeman responds to 'one of the dirtier plays I've ever seen'

Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman was accused of unnecessary roughness in Sunday's 26-8 win over the New Orleans Saints – and he would do the same thing again if the situation came up.

“It was probably one of the dirtier plays I've ever seen,” Bozeman said of the incident in the locker room after the game, “especially with my own eyes.” I think the ball's been gone for two, three seconds, and he still rolls with the Gator. He is lying on the ground; He's still rolling with the gator. You protect your quarterback. You protect your quarterback no matter what. I think any of our offensive players who had been in that position would have done the exact same thing. I had to get rid of him and I did.”

With 7:22 left in the second quarter, Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert completed a pass to running back JK Dobbins, giving him a 10-yard gain. But while watching the throw, Herbert was knocked down by New Orleans defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd. Shepherd lay on the ball at Herbert's feet, grabbed Herbert's right leg and brought the quarterback to the ground.

Then Bozeman pounced and it took Herbert and an official to block Shepherd's center.

The officials imposed two compensatory penalties for unnecessary harshness. Both Bozeman and Shepherd were allowed to continue play, but the penalties wiped out the 10-yard gain. Herbert responded with a 15-yard completion for a first down during a 15-play, 90-yard touchdown drive.

In his seventh NFL season, Bozeman is playing his first season with the Chargers. Entering Sunday's game, he had played every offensive snap for Los Angeles in 2024.