Chargers Season In Review/Offseason Preview

By: Mike Rifkin

The 2021 Los Angeles Chargers had an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie vs the rival Raiders in the final week of the regular season. Thanks to a dubious mistake by first year coach Brandon Staley the Chargers lost the game and missed out on the playoffs with a record of  9-8 finishing third in the AFC West. The Chargers have already made some big splashes this offseason. 

The Major reason they are able to make these splashes is that quarterback Justin Herbert is still on his rookie contract. Herbert in his second season had a 65.9 completion percentage, was second in the NFL with 5,014 yards, 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Herbert is one of the young premiere quarterbacks in the NFL, but the Chargers understand that their window to win is soon because after next season they are going to have to pay Herbert big money. 

Herbert has a very good supporting cast starting with Running Back Austin Ekeler who in 2021 was the lead back for the first time, following the departure of Melvin Gordon who signed with division rival Denver. Ekler had 911 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing. Ekler is also one of the best pass catching running backs in the NFL, in 2021 he had 70 receptions for 647 yards and eight touchdowns. The 70 receptions were third on the team. All Pro receiver Keenan Allen led the team with 106 receptions (7th in NFL), 1,138 yards and six touchdowns. Former first round pick Mike Williams had a breakout season with a career high 76 receptions for a career high 1,146 and nine touchdowns (not a career high). Williams picked the right year to break out because before free agency began the Chargers signed Williams to a three year 60 million dollar contract. Tight end Jared Cook and receivers Jalen Guyton and Joshua Palmer combined for 112 catches for 1,365 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Chargers offense averaged 27.9 points per game which was fifth in the NFL. 

The Ch The Chargers defense gave up 27.0 points per game and already this offseason they have worked to fix that. Last week the Chargers acquired All Pro Edge Rusher Khalil Mack from the Bears in exchange for draft picks. Mack in seven games due to a foot injury in 2021 had six sacks. Pairing Mack with former first round pick Joey Bosa who had 10.5 sacks in 2021 should give the Chargers a dynamic pass rush, after having 34 sacks as a team in 2021. The Charger defense gave up 4.6 yards per carry and 138.9 rushing yards per game and they beefed up the defensive line by signing Sebastian Joseph-Day from the Rams. Joseph-Day has 137 tackles and six sacks in three seasons. The Chargers defense had 21 takeaways but still managed a -1 turnover differential. They should get a boost after signing J.C. Jackson from the New England Patriots on a massive five year contract. Jackson was second in the NFL with eight interceptions in 2021. Jackson has 25 interceptions in his career. Putting Jackson with Chris Harris will kick Asante Samuel Jr. into the slot along with Derwin James and Nassir Adderley should give the Chargers one of the better secondaries in the NFL.

Draft 

RD 1 (17) Garrett Wilson Receiver : Ohio State : This would have been Jordan Davis before the signing of Day. Wilson adds an element of speed to the offense. Wilson is a good route runner. Other names to watch: Drake London USC, Jordan Davis DT Georgia, Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa.

RD 2 (48) Jalen Wydermyer : Tight End Texas A&M: Needs to work on run blocking but can give the Chargers another weapon to help Herbert. 

RD 3 (79) Deangelo Malone: Edge Western Kentucky : Even with the addition of Mack the Chargers can use more pass rush especially in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr and now Russell Wilson. Malone would benefit from learning from two of the best pass rushers in the league. Malone is also good at stopping the run. 

The AFC West has had one heck of a start to the offseason, but with that said the Chargers need to win with Herbert on his rookie contract. The pressure is on Brandon Staley now with all the moves the Chargers have made.