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The original was posted on /r/nfl by /u/Dull-Scarcity-3159 on 2024-02-19 23:04:23.
Team: LA Chargers
Division: AFC West
Record: 5-12
Playoffs: Lol, lmao even
Table of Contents:
-2023 Offseason Recap
-2023 Draft
-Roster Analysis Going into 2023
-Game Recap
-Jim Harbaugh (itshappening.jpg)
-Free Agency and the Cap
-2024 Draft
-Why be a Chargers Fan?
2023 Offseason Recap:
The 2023 offseason was relatively uneventful with one exception. Kellen Moore has joined the LA Chargers, freeing Justin Herbert from Joe Lombardi and supposedly allowing him to open up the offense, fixing the run game, and showing off Herbert’s massive arm. This of course did not work out, and Moore is now with the Eagles, but more on this later as I’m not quick to throw all of the blame at Kellen Moore.
The 2022 offseason was a big splash adding names such as Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Khali Mack, Gerald Everett, and of course JC Jackson. The money was spent, Herbert got his extension, and the core of the team that made the playoffs in 2022. That team was looking to redeem themselves in the 2023 season. The OL appeared set, Trey Pipkins seemed to take a leap and truly earn the RT spot and as a result got a short extension. Staley and Telesco seats were red hot, and it was truly playoff run or bust for these two. How funny it is now that they didn’t even make it to the end of the season.
Unfortunately as we all know now, almost all of these moves backfired, and the team is in “cap hell” (more on this later). The most eventful signing of 2023 was signing veteran Eric Kendricks away from the Vikings while letting Drue Tranquill walk. Drue was a good pass rushing LB, but the team needed a solid LB against the run and at the time that wasn’t Drue’s game. The move on paper seemed great, Murray could take a leap and learn a thing or two from Kendricks potentially, and we won’t have the leagues worst run D! Ultimately no personnel could handle the genius that is defensive guru ™ Brandon Staley.
The Draft:
Round 1, Pick 21: Quentin Johnston, WR (TCU): The pick the media seemed to connect to the Chargers often that fans were mostly uninterested in (myself included). Johnston seemed to fit the exact mold of receiver Telesco was known for going for and unfortunately has been a massive whiff so far, especially seeing what Flowers and Addison were able to do this year. Chargers fans will think what could have been for a long time on this pick if he can’t turn it around next season.
Round 2, Pick 54: Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE (USC): The only thing that takes the sting out of QJ is getting Tuli here. Tuli had an incredibly solid rookie year, instantly making an impact. As the year went on with Bosa going down Tuli struggled a bit, but he has proven to be a quality starting edge player going into 2024 who should make the loss of Bosa or Mack (or potentially both) a little smoother.
Round 3, Pick 85: Daiyan Henley, LB (Washington State): In 2023 he didn’t get many snaps on defense with Murray and Kendricks in front of him. He will almost certainly get an opportunity this upcoming season with Murray and Kendricks likely being gone from the roster. Solid special teamer that you hope transitions into playmaker on a new defense.
Round 4, Pick 125: Derius Davis, WR (TCU): Shoutout to Ryan Ficken and his giant brain for making an incredible special teams pick here. Second team AP all pro punt returner in year 1 is amazing and he definitely earned it. He didn’t make an impact as a receiver in the offense last year, similar to the other TCU wr taken in this draft, but time will tell if Davis can add an explosive element to this offense.
Round 5: Pick 156 Jordan McFadden, OG (Clemson): Didn’t see much playing time until after Staley was fired. He saw playing time as a starter the last two games of the season. Overall he was a solid player for a 5th round rookie. He’s earned himself a potential shot to compete for a starting guard spot over Jamaree Salyer or Zion Johnson with a new head coach coming in next season.
Round 6, Pick 200: Scott Matlock, DT (Boise State): Played about a quarter of the snaps on DL in 2023. As you’d expect from a 6th rounder not much of an immediate impact, but seemed like a decent player. Need more time to truly evaluate this pick, but he’ll likely remain in the rotation going into 2024 with Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson on there way out of LA.
Round 7, Pick 239: Max Duggan, QB (TCU): Not all 7th round qbs can be Purdy. Duggan bounced on and off the practice squad this season. Maybe he will end up as Herbert’s backup next season with Easton Stick slated to be a free agent. Can’t imagine Duggan ever develops into anything other than a potential spot starter.
Roster Analysis Going into 2023:
The following is the first unofficial week 1 depth chart:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Starter: Justin Herbert
Backup: Easton Stick
Running back
Starter: Austin Ekeler
Backups: Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller and Elijah Dotson
Wide receiver
Starters: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer
Backups: Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis
Tight end
Starter: Gerald Everett
Backups: Donald Parham, Jr., Tre’ McKitty and Stone Smartt
Offensive tackles
Starters: Rashawn Slater (LT) and Trey Pipkins III (RT)
Backup: Foster Sarell (LT/RT)
Interior offensive linemen
Starters: Zion Johnson (LG), Corey Linsley © and Jamaree Salyer (RG)
Backups: Jordan McFadden (LG), Will Clapp © and Brenden Jaimes (RG)
On paper this offense looks great! Keenan and Mike is a powerful duo when they are on the field together, Palmer looked solid and like a great complement to Mike and Keenan, and with QJ developing behind them this seems like a potent passing attack. Everett is a capable starting TE, but the TE group overall lacks one thing, and that is run blocking. This proved to be a giant flaw in the roster as outside of week 1, the run offense was dreadful. Ekeler took a massive step back, whether age or injuries finally caught up to him we may never know, but he’s likely played his last snap as a Charger. We’ll dive more into the changes later in this post, but truly this offense with Kellen Moore appeared to be primed as a potential top offense in the NFL.
DEFENSE:
Interior defensive linemen
Starters: Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson
Backups: Morgan Fox, Nick Williams, Christopher Hinton and Scott Matlock
Edge rusher
Starters: Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack
Backups: Tuli Tuipulotu and Chris Rumph II
Inside linebacker
Starters: Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray, Jr.
Backups: Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Daiyan Henley and Tanner Muse
Cornerback
Starters: J.C. Jackson, Michael Davis and Asante Samuel, Jr., OR Ja’Sir Taylor
Backup: Deane Leonard
Safety
Starters: Derwin James, Jr., and Alohi Gilman
Backups: Raheem Layne, JT Woods and AJ Finley
Similar to the offense the defense outside of Khalil Mack and Alohi Gilman came up short. Kendricks was fine, but Bosa yet again could not stay on the field, Staley asked too much of Derwin James, moving him all over the formation and as a result, his play as well as the rest of the defense suffered. This unit will be relatively overhauled going into 2024 with a lot of these players either walking as free agents or simply be released as cap casualties. Ultimately Staley not being able to succeed with the players he had, as well as JC Jackson being a complete bust of a free agent signing was too much for the Spanos family to handle, as he was let go late in the 2023 season.
Game recap: You know exactly what this is, enjoy the positives of the 2023 season. Linked for each week are highlights from each game for you to dive into.
Week 1 : Vs Dolphins. 36-34 Dolphins, 0-1
While not the end result anyone wanted the offense looked as promised amassing over 230 yards of rushing and putting up points. Ekeler injures his ankle in this game and injury roulette has begun! Bosa is also hurt but plays limited snaps for a few weeks. Staley’s seat grows slightly warmer.
Week 2 : @ Titans. 27-24 Titans in OT, 0-2
Panic has started early in LA facing an 0-2 start to a season and losing to a Titans team that a true playoff caliber team seemingly should not have lost to. The run game that was great in the preseason and week 1 is gone. Allen’s 100 yard 2 TD game is not enough for the Chargers to pull this one out. Staley’s seat grows slightly warmer.
Week 3 : @ Vikings. 28-24 Chargers, 1-2
The season is still alive! Herbert and Cousins absolutely ball out in this game and Herbert and Allen will this team to a win off of Allen’s 18 receptions for over 200 yards. This will be the last time Allen cracks 100 yards until November, and Mike Williams is lost for the season following this game. This would also be Corey Linsley’s last game of the season and likely his career. As a result the offense beings to spiral downward not being able to handle these two critical losses.
Week 4 : Vs Raiders. 24-17 Chargers, 2-2
This is the first the league sees of Aidan O’Connell and all things considered he has a decent performance. Herbert would also injure a finger on his non throwing hand. Dark times ahead. …
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