2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 5-12

The 2023 season got away from the Los Angeles Chargers quickly. The team had an early bye week and followed two losses with two victories to get to 2-2. coming out of the bye week, the Chargers followed the same format. A mini two-game losing streak was followed by two wins. From there, the Chargers lost eight out of nine games to end the season. Justin Herbert dealt with an injury late and this led to EJ Stick starting the final five games. With Jim Harbaugh coming to be the head coach, the Chargers are hoping for a different fate this season.

2024 Los Angeles Chargers Season Preview

Offense

Key Additions: RB JK Dobbins, OT Joe Alt, RB Gus Edwards, TE Will Dissly, TE Hayden Hurst, C Bradley Bozeman, WR Ladd McConkey

Key Losses: RB Austin Ekeler, WR Keenan Allen, WR Mike Williams, TE Gerald Everett, C Will Clapp

The offense is going to look drastically different for the Chargers this season. Harbaugh came in and built the team he wanted for this season. That meant getting rid of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and letting Austin Ekeler walk in free agency.

It was clear that the Chargers needed help in the backfield and at wide receiver. The draft saw the team land Georgia’s Ladd McConkey and he has impressed early. JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards also came over and will remain in the same backfield once again.

The offensive line got a major boost with Joe Alt being selected with the fifth-overall pick. He will join Rashawn Slater on the outside of the offensive line as a duo that can patrol the Chargers for years to come. Inside, Corey Linsley retired but Los Angeles added Bradley Bozeman, an experienced option along an offensive line that Harbaugh wanted to beef up.

Justin Herbert is the franchise option in Los Angeles and has been for years now. He will have a different offensive unit this season but there is still plenty to work with.

Defense

Key Additions: DT Poona Ford, LB Denzel Perryman, LB, Junior Colson, DT Justin Eboigbe, CB Tarheeb Still, LB Troy Dye, CB Kristian Fulton

Key Losses: DT Austin Johnson, LB Erick Kendricks, LB Kenneth Murray, CB Michael Davis

The Chargers had plenty of turnover this offseason but made sure to keep Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa around on the edges. This was important for the defense if the team wants any chance of competing this season.

The secondary remains talented as well. Young corner Asante Samuel Jr. took a major step forward last season and is looking to continue momentum. On the other side, there is a big question mark. The early favorite to take over is Kristian Fulton. Derwin James is a veteran safety who has gotten bette reach year to reach elite levels.

The newest addition to the front seven will be Poona Ford, who excels in the run game. This is an area the Chargers could use a boost. Denzel Perryman is also back in the middle of the defense and another option that can help stop the run in Los Angeles.

The Chargers have a chance to compete defensively and that will be important with the offensive losses.

Schedule

Week 1: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week 2: at Carolina Panthers

Week 3: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 4: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 5: BYE WEEK

Week 6: at Denver Broncos

Week 7: at Arizona Cardinals

Week 8: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 9: at Cleveland Browns

Week 10: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week 11: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 12: vs. Baltimore Ravens – Monday Night Football

Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs – Sunday Night Football

Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Bucs

Week 16: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 17: at New England Patriots

Week 18: at Las Vegas Raiders

Record Prediction: 8-9