The season is approaching. The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Los Angeles Chargers 2023. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
The Chargers returned to the playoffs in 2022-23. It’s a first step. But the defeat against the Jaguars in wild-card, while LA led 27-0, inevitably leaves a bitter taste.
With a talented young quarterback and strong ambitions, Brandon Staley no longer has a choice: we have to do better this season.
Last season: 10 wins – 7 losses, wild card loss
Movements in the off-season
Notable arrivals: Erick Kendricks (LB),
Re-signings: Trey Pipkins (OT), Donald Parham (TE), Austin Ekeler (RB), Justin Herbert (QB – overtime), Morgan Fox (DE)
Draft: Quentin Johnston (WR), Tuli Tuipulotu (Edge), Daiyan Henley (LB), Derius Davis (WR), Jordan McFadden (G), Scott Matlock (DT), Max Duggan (QB)
Notable losses: Drue Tranquill (LB), Nasir Adderley (S – retired), Kyle Van Noy (LB), Bryce Callahan (CB), Matt Feiler (G)
Unlike the past few years, the Chargers have been pretty quiet during the Free Agency. The only notable signing being that of veteran linebacker Erick Kendricks. Finally, the most notable arrival is on the sidelines with the arrival of Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator. The former Dallas player was in the small papers for a coaching job but ultimately decided to stay on as coordinator. A nice perspective.
The franchise has therefore focused more on the management of players and contracts already in the workforce. The main movement being the contract extension of Justin Herbert, his most important player. More complicated, the case of Austin Ekeler. The runner and the franchise haven’t really found common ground and at the moment the player only has one more season in LA
On the starting side, the Chargers first had to cash in on Nasir Adderley’s surprise retirement announcement. The franchise was also forced to let Drue Tranquill (LB) go on the second defensive curtain.
In the Draft, the Californians made the choice to strengthen one of their strong points by selecting Quentin Johnston. The young receiver needs to round out the squad and could help LA have one of the best lines in the league. For the rest, the team mainly targeted needs.
The strong points)
The Chargers’ aerial game will still be the strong point in 2023. First thanks to its quarterback. A little down, statistically, Justin Herbert proved in 2022 (despite an injury) that he was capable of leading his team into the playoff. To help him, he can count on a quality receiver duo with Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. A duo that could become a trio with rookie Quentin Johnston. A trio whose height (all above 1.85m) is one of the assets on which Brandon Staley wants to rely. In addition to these three, Herbert can also use Austin Ekeler as an output from backfield and tight end Gerald Everett.
The passing game is also counting on the arrival of Kellen Moore as coordinator to diversify and refine. The young coordinator who got the best out of Dak Prescott in Dallas, is also expected to take Justin Herbert a step further and bring him closer to MVP level.
Overall, the Los Angeles offense should be a strong point for the team in 2023. If the running game doesn’t produce as much as others, it remains “led” by Austin Ekeler. The runner with 38 touchdowns over the last two seasons (making him the league’s leading scorer) remains a lethal weapon on offense. Moreover, with the return of Rashawn Slater and the expected progress of young people like Sayer or Johnson, the Chargers offensive line should be even better.
Although disappointing (we will come back to this…), the Chargers’ defense also has qualities. If the whole unit is not a strong point of the team, the franchise can count (on paper) on talented players capable of changing a match: Derwin James, Joey Bose, Khalil Mack, JC Jackson… A “fickle” strength that not all NFL defenses have.
The weak spots)
Looking ahead to the 2023 season, the defense seems to be the team’s main weak point.
First, the run defense remains a cause for concern. Among the worst teams in the league to counter the ground game in 2022, the Chargers are still questioning this sector in 2023. Drue Tranquill and Kyle Van Noy are gone, Sebastian Joseph-Day does not fulfill his role as hoped… Eric Kendricks was signed for it, but at what level will he be? Can rookie Daiyan Henley respond this year? Many doubts for a weak point that has been well identified for several seasons…
Still in defense, the linebacker squad leaves you wondering… Los Angeles really needs Kenneth Murray to finally be the expected player.
In attack, it is the lack of solutions in the event of Ekeler’s injury that is scary and shows the shortcomings of the workforce.
X factor: the pass rush
With 40 sacks last year, the Chargers were in the soft underbelly of the league in this sector of play. Except that since last year, the team has lost Kyle Van Noy and Drue Tranquill, authors of 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss between them. Khalil Mack seemed on the downward slope and Joey Bosa still missed a large number of matches…
If the defensive schemes should still allow many players to put pressure, whatever the position, there is something to be questioned for 2023.
To pass a course, the defense of Los Angeles will need a pass rush in better shape in 2023. This will notably involve an edge rusher duo capable of being on the ground and getting back into shape. The Chargers will also have to hope that their second round draft pick, Tuli Tuipulotu, can breathe new life into this squad.
Player to watch: Quentin Johnston (WR)
By taking Johnston with their first-round pick, the Chargers didn’t just set the stage for the future. They have also bet on a player who must allow them to make their strong point even stronger.
The rookie, especially with his size advantage, must allow the Chargers to have three receivers able to change their position on the field, run different routes and force opposing defenses to change the match up permanently. In addition, Johnston brings a quality that LA lacked in 2022, that of a receiver capable of accumulating yards after receiving.
If the receiver is at the expected level, many teams will have a hard time stopping the Chargers’ offense.
The 2023 Los Angeles Chargers schedule
Dolphins, @Titans, @Vikings, Raiders, BYE, Cowboys, @Chiefs, Bears, @Jets, Lions, @Packers, Ravens, @Patriots, Broncos, @Raiders, Buffalo, @Broncos, Chiefs
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
A fire attack but a defense that questions. The 2023 Chargers bears a striking resemblance to many of the Philip Rivers-era Chargers teams.
Despite a difficult schedule (an early rest week and the crossover with the AFC East), Los Angeles has enough talented players to claim the playoffs in 2023.
Brandon Staley and his coaching staff in any case cannot aim less.
