The LA Chargers were a part of the most hyped division in 2022. Now with less pressure going into 2023, the shackles are off and Brandon Staley’s charges are primed to return to the playoffs, though a division title and home playoff games look a challenge. Not much has changed on the roster, with an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ attitude, bar some rebooting in the draft. The big change is on the coaching staff, with Kellen Moore coming in to refine the Chargers electric offence. But will the trenches and, Chargers’ inevitable bad luck interfere with their season once again?
2023 Schedule
- Week 1: v Miami
- Week 2: @ Tennessee
- Week 3: @Minnesota
- Week 4: v Las Vegas
- Week 5: Bye
- Week 6: v Dallas
- Week 7 @ Kansas City
- Week 8: v Chicago
- Week 9: @ New York Jets
- Week 10: v Detroit
- Week 11: @ Green Bay
- Week 12: v Baltimore
- Week 13: @ New England
- Week 14: v Denver
- Week 15: @ Las Vegas
- Week 16: v Buffalo
- Week 17: Denver
- Week 18: v Kansas City
Coaching Staff
GM: Tom Telesco; HC: Brandon Staley; OC: Kellen Moore; DC: Derrick Ansley; ST: Ryan Ficken
Players In
Via Trade – None
Free Agents –
Darrius Shepherd (WR), Nick Williams (DT) & Eric Kendricks (ILB)
Draft Picks
- Round 1, Pick 21 – Quentin Johnston, WR | TCU
- Round 2, Pick 54 – Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE | USC
- Round 3, Pick 85 – Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
- Round 4, Pick 125 – Derius Davis, WR, TCU
- Round 5, Pick 156 – Jordan McFadden, OT, Clemson
- Round 6, Pick 200 – Scott Matlock, DT, Boise State
- Round 7, Pick 239 – Max Duggan, QB, TCU
Players Out
Drue Tranquill, Deandre Carter & Troy Reeder
Projected Starters
QB – Justin Herbert
RB – Austin Ekeler
WR – Mike Williams, Quentin Johnston & Keenan Allen
TE – Gerald Everett
OL – Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Corey Linsley, Jamaree Salyer & Trey Pipkins III
DL – Morgan Cox, Sebastian Joseph-Day & Austin Johnson
LBs – Khalil Mack, Kenneth Murray Jr, Eric Kendricks, Joey Bosa
Secondary – Asante Samuel Jr, Derwin James Jr, Alohi Gilman, Michael Davis & Ja’Sir Taylor
The Chargers have a solid roster with a couple of superstars on each side of the ball but once again they lack strength in the trenches. The right side of the line has been strengthened with the addition of Trey Pipkins but still looks vulnerable. On defence, the front line lacks the penetration of a top tier unit and will need the support of Khalil Mack & Joey Bosa.
The receiving corps may have a hotshot rookie but some added depth would be a benefit too.
2023 Star Player
This has to be the most exciting player in the league, bar none: as Justin Herbert goes, LA go. While not fully developed just yet, Herbert is a threat to score from anywhere, with 14,089 passing yards, 94 TDs and a QBR of 64 over his first three years. That being said, a more balanced attack wouldn’t go amiss.
2023 Breakout player
Asante Samuel Jr has been solid over his first two years with 4 interceptions and 100 tackles but now is the time to shine. With Derrick Ansley’s promotion to DC and development of the system, it is time for the Chargers’ secondary to dominate games.
Season Expectations
The Chargers have a solid roster full of established names, sprinkled with star power in parts. They still lack dominance in the trenches, which will hurt as the weather turns late in the season. It will also take a herculean effort to usurp the Chiefs to a division crown, even without odd Chargers results. That leaves you playing on the road in January, best case scenario. LA are a team built to compete for the playoffs. But in attacked AFC, they have their work cut out.
Banner Image: Justin Herbert will again lead the Chargers. Image from nonpareilonline.com