The five biggest questions facing the 2022 Los Angeles Chargers – Los Angeles Chargers Blog
COSTA MESA, Calif. — The preseason provided few hints of what to expect from the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022.
Second-year coach Brandon Staley opted into the progressive preseason approach, keeping most starters on the sideline for all three contests.
Coming off a 9-8 season and a third-place finish in the AFC West, the Chargers invested in all three phases over the offseason.
Here are the burning questions that remain as they prepare for a season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 11 at SoFi Stadium.
After last season’s narrow playoff miss, 2022 will be critical for Chargers QB Justin Herbert and coach Brandon Staley. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Is this roster ready for a playoff run?
The offense was ready last season.
The defense, after an offseason makeover, should be ready now, despite playing in a division loaded with quarterback talent that includes Super Bowl winners Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson.
“We don’t try to put too much on ourselves, but we know what’s at stake,” All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr. said when asked about the Chargers’ potential. “We know that we have a Super Bowl caliber roster. We know what we have in our team.”
Coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance, quarterback Justin Herbert returns for a third season with a full complement of playmakers, including receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler. Plus, Herbert gained more protection up front when the Bolts selected right guard Zion Johnson with the 17th overall pick.
Defensively, the Chargers significantly bolstered the cast around edge rusher Joey Bosa and James.
Coming off season-ending foot surgery, pass rusher Khalil Mack, acquired via a trade with the Chicago Bears, is determined to prove he’s still among the league’s top playmakers. Cornerback JC Jackson, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal in free agency, is eager to test his ball-hawking skills behind arguably the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL.
The Bolts also added defensive linemen Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson and Morgan Fox.
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Will Staley still go for it on fourth down?
Short answer: Yes.
Staley will continue to be aggressive, and the second-year coach won’t apologize for it.
“We want to have a team that’s fearless, it’s not scared to meet a moment,” Staley said.
The Chargers went for it on fourth down 32% of the time, the highest rate in the NFL, and converted 65% of their fourth-down tries, which ranked tied for fourth in the league, in 2021.
However, don’t expect Staley to make decisions for the sake of reputation.
“Every decision has a life of its own,” Staley said. “You’re going to take it case-by-case.”
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Will the defense ever make a stop?
The Chargers could not get off the field last season for a myriad of reasons.
They ranked last in the NFL as they allowed opponents to convert 49.5% of third downs and were terrible at defending the run, finishing in the NFL’s bottom five in opponent rushes, yards, yards per rush and touchdowns.
Expect improvement.
On third down, the Mack-Bosa rush should be felt, and Jackson had more interceptions last season (8) than all of the Chargers’ defensive backs combined (7).
And against the run?
“It’s everybody that’s improving,” Staley said. “It’s been a point of emphasis, for sure. Definitely was a weakness — the weakness — of us last year, and we’re working hard to improve it.”
The addition of Joseph-Day, who signed a three-year, $24 million contract, is key. The former sixth-round pick boasts the sixth-highest run-stop win rate when lined up at defensive tackle since entering the NFL in 2019.
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Is special teams finally special?
On paper, it’s trending that way, but it’s impossible to be certain given the history of lackluster special teams performances.
The investment in specialists and end-of-the-roster players this offseason is notable.
The Bolts re-signed kicker Dustin Hopkins and picked up Pro Bowl long snapper Josh Harris, fourth-year punter JK Scott, return specialist DeAndre Carter and linebacker Troy Reeder, a special teams standout the past three seasons for the Rams, in free agency.
All eight of the Chargers’ draft picks also made the initial 53-man roster — including several late-round picks who will be expected to play significant special teams roles.
When asked about safety JT Woods and cornerback Deane Leonard, Staley pointed to the rookies’ speed and the effect it should have on the unit.
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“When you talk about special teams, you need that speed to express itself,” Staley said. “Having those two guys, as well as some others, I definitely think it helps us in that area. The more you can be disruptive and get down there in the returner’s face, I think that’s going to help a ton for us.”
Though most starters sat out the preseason, it must be noted that the kickoff and punt return units struggled in a Week 2 contest against Dallas, as Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin (listed as the third returner on the depth chart), took a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, then returned a punt 86 yards for a score.
What happens if the Chargers miss the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season?
Expect changes.
The Chargers have made one playoff appearance in the past eight seasons and, now entering their sixth season in Los Angeles since relocating from San Diego, cannot afford to continue into mediocrity.
Will the changes include the head coach? They could if the season comes down to game management issues.
What about the general manager? Tom Telesco is entering his 10th season, and although several star players, including Herbert, Bosa, Allen, Williams and Slater, are counted among his draft picks, wins, losses and postseason appearances are ultimately what matters.
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