The Los Angeles Chargers enter the 2022-23 season with the most hype that they have had since the team departed San Diego in 2017. The Chargers just missed the playoffs at 9-8 in one of the craziest football games anyone has ever season in week 18 against the Raiders last year. Now after several big time offseason moves, the Chargers are looking to reach the postseason for the first time since 2018-19.
Offseason Upgrades
The Charger’s defense was abysmal at many points throughout the 2021-22 season. The Chargers posted the 23rd ranked defense overall in the NFL last season, allowing 360.1 yards per game and 27 points per game. Going into this offseason, it was clear defensive changes were needed. On March 10, the Chargers acquired six time pro bowler Khalil Mack from the Chicago Bears. The Chargers sent a 2022 2nd round draft pick and 2023 sixth round pick to the Bears in the deal.
The Chargers then proceeded to sign pro bowler JC Jackson in free agency from New England. Jackson has registered 17 interceptions in the last two seasons and frequently shut down some of the best wideouts in the NFL. Not satisfied yet, the Chargers picked up veteran super bowl champion Kyle Van Noy to improve their linebacking core.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Chargers selected Guard Zion Johnson from Boston College with the 17th overall pick of the Draft. The Chargers will look to pair Johnson with Rashawn Slater in order to improve protection for franchise QB Justin Herbert. The Chargers also resigned wideout Mike Williams, who has played an important role in Los Angeles’s offense the last five seasons.
What to Expect for this Season
In retaining most of their key free agents and making major upgrades on defense, the 2022 season is postseason or bust for the Los Angeles Chargers. With Justin Herbert entering just his third NFL season, there is still plenty of time for the Chargers to build around him. However, veterans such as Khalil Mack and Keenan Allen don’t have time to wait forever, and the fanbase is hungry for a taste of the postseason.
The Chargers face a difficult 2022 schedule, not to mention the fact that they play in what now very well may be the toughest division in the entire league. With the Denver Broncos trading for Russell Wilson, The Raiders adding Chandler Jones and Davante Adams, and the Chiefs winning the AFC two of the past three years, the division looks formidable to say the least. Add in the fact that the Chargers face the league’s toughest other division in the NFC West, and it looks like the Chargers will have to play some of their best football all year long.
Thats not to say that there aren’t softer portions of this schedule though. Consecutive games against the Jaguars and Texans as well as matchups with the Seahawks and Falcons give the Chargers a chance to pile up some wins. With a great amount of improvement among the roster, 11-6 is a reasonable outlook for the Chargers this season. Justin Herbert should only improve, as well as a defense that should be able to force more turnovers and give up less big plays. No matter how good the team looks on paper, Chargers fans have learned one thing throughout the years, the only numbers that matter are the scoreboard at the end of the game.