Chargers’ Offense Suffers Major Blow As Star Player Cut Amid Concerning Scandal
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Los Angeles Chargers have released offensive guard Ben Cleveland just weeks into the offseason drama cycle. The team made the move early in training camp. It comes after yet another arrest.
Officials in Oconee County, Georgia, arrested the 27-year-old on July 16. Charges involved speeding and an alleged violation of conditions tied to a limited driving permit. Jail records show he entered custody around 10 a.m. Authorities released him less than two hours later.
The Chargers signed the former Baltimore Ravens lineman in January. He never played a snap for Jim Harbaugh’s squad. The team waived him to open a roster spot as camp progressed.
Ben Cleveland’s Troubled Path Continues
Ben Cleveland arrived in Los Angeles with a complicated recent history. The Ravens released him on January 1 after a league suspension. That ban stemmed from a substance abuse policy violation.
The suspension followed a difficult stretch off the field. He filed for divorce in February 2025. Court documents listed adultery as the reason. His estranged wife strongly denied the claims and called them false.
Just two weeks before the divorce filing, police arrested him for driving under the influence. Officers stopped him in Milledgeville, Georgia, on February 12. Reports said his blood-alcohol level reached 0.178. He allegedly told officers he had consumed three or four beers at a country club.
The latest incident marks another setback.
Ben Cleveland Leaves Chargers Roster
Ben Cleveland originally joined the Ravens as a third-round pick in the 2021 draft. He spent five seasons in Baltimore and made limited starts. Off-field issues eventually ended that chapter.
The Chargers took a chance on him for depth. The gamble lasted only a few months. Training camp moves often reflect both performance and character concerns. This release fits that pattern.
His career now faces fresh uncertainty. Multiple teams have shown reluctance to overlook repeated legal problems. The combination of a DUI, suspension, divorce drama, and the new speeding case creates a difficult resume.
The team has not issued a lengthy public statement on the release. Roster cuts this early usually signal a clean break. Other linemen will compete for the open spot.
NFL teams continue to weigh talent against risk. Repeated arrests raise questions about reliability. This case follows a familiar path for players who struggle off the field.
The guard remains a free agent after the waiver. Future opportunities will depend on how teams view the full timeline of events.
The Chargers acted swiftly once the latest arrest became public knowledge.
