Five questions for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023
The Los Angeles Chargers, one of the more intriguing yet frustrating franchises in the NFL today. I mean, I really want this team to succeed, but it seems like they always don’t take advantage of a great situation they are in. This mentality was shown yet again in 2022, when the Chargers choked a 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs. So what questions need answering in 2023?
5. Although Austin Ekeler’s situation has been solved short term, is there a dependable backup should he get hurt?
Fun Fact: I was originally going to have the 1st question as, “When will the Ekeler drama get settled?” Especially as it was clear Ekeler was pissed with how his contract negotiations was going and even demanded a trade from the Chargers. Well, it looks like things have been settled contract wise in the short term.
I decided to dive deep and I legit wondered, who are the backup running backs? No joke, I legit could not remember who they are.
Isaiah Spiller did a whole lot of nothing and was super raw as a player last season. Maybe another year of development will help. If he played like he did last year, then it would be panic time for the Chargers with Spiller who they used a 4th round selection on the 2022 NFL Draft. Josh Kelly is a guy I thought was going to stand out for the past few years, but he has been very inconsistent. Larry Roundtree did not impress me last season and was mainly on the Chargers practice squad.
One thing is for sure, the Chargers need an upgrade behind Ekeler. I don’t think there is a dependable option behind Ekeler. I wonder if this is the sport where either Leonard Fournette, Ezekiel Elliott, or Dalvin Cook will sign with.
4. When will Justin Herbert get his contract extension?
I pointed this out when talking about the Free Agency period, it seems like the Chargers main focus was to try and get Herbert locked up on a new contract long term. It was not a secret either as Brandon Staley was very vocal on it.
Well it is June and there is still not an extension done with him. It is no longer an if, but when the Chargers extend him they are going to have to get this done now. Not only in avoiding a hold out, but to ensure that the price does not get higher and higher.
Jalen Hurts got paid the big bucks, along with Lamar Jackson. If the Chargers keep delaying it the price is just going to go up when Joe Burrow gets his deal. So, the Chargers better get this deal done soon.
3. Which J.C. Jackson will the Chargers get?
Last season was not the year for J.C. Jackson. He got paid a lot of money and with how he played as a Patriot, he deserves every penny he gets, but my goodness, Jackson had an awful year in 2023. Jackson did suffer a Torn Patellar Tendon last year and had an ankle injury during the preseason, but even when he was healthy, last season was a disaster for the defensive playmaker and he ended up getting benched.
He made the Chargers regret giving that large contract to him, but I really hope he can return to that Patriots form. Even as a Jets fan I was jealous that the Patriots had Jackson on their defense as he was super talented. Hopefully the Chargers can get that version of him, instead of the 2022 season version of him.
2. Is Eric Kendricks the final piece on defense?
I was so perplexed with how the Chargers handled Free Agency this offseason. The only major signing that they made on defense was signing linebacker Eric Kendricks. It seems like the Charges felt like they’re one more piece away on defense to take this team to the next level.
But is Kendricks really the final piece that is needed on defense? I mean I can see whyt the Chargers think this as they have had linebacker problems and Kendricks had another great season in Minnesota. A big problem is that he is 31 years old and is not getting any younger. Plus, Kendricks could begin the stage where he declines as well. He should benefit the team, but I am not so sure that he is the final piece on a Chargers team that’s biggest issue was at coaching. Speaking of which…
1. Why is Brandon Staley still the head coach going into 2023?
I still need an answer to this question. It makes zero sense that the Chargers kept him after the team blew a 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Heck after his shenanigans Week 18 which playing starters in a meaningless game, should have been the moment they realized that Brandon Staley is not the guy as the head coach. It resulted in Joey Bosa and Kenneth Murray playing hurt and Mike Williams not playing in the playoffs with his back injury. The Chargers will never win with Staley as the head coach. Especially in a league where coaching matters so much.
So those are the five questions I had regarding the Los Angeles Chargers. Do you agree? Let me know in the comment sections and if you had a question regarding the Chargers for the 2023 season.
