NFL Offseason Fixer-Uppers: How Chargers Can Improve in 2023
Analysis 2/26/23
In an ongoing offseason series, experts from The 33rd Team offer three things each team can do to improve in 2023.Â
AFC: BAL | BUF | CINÂ |Â CLE | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LV | MIAÂ |Â NEÂ |Â NYJÂ |Â PIT | TEN
NFC: ATL | CAR |Â DAL |Â DET | GB | LAR |Â MIN | NYG | PHI | SEA | SF | TB
Here is my list of three things that would improve the Los Angeles Chargers.
3 Ways to Improve Chargers
1. Turn Justin Herbert Loose
The first thing the Chargers should do to build upon the solid foundation they have is let new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore open up the offense for quarterback Justin Herbert.
He should let Herbert throw the ball downfield. As amazing as it may seem, Herbert and the Chargers ranked 24th in yards-per-attempt in 2022, tied with Mac Jones of the New England Patriots and Daniel Jones of the New York Giants. Those quarterbacks aren’t in the same league as Herbert.Â
2. Find Complementary Running Back, Receiver
The Chargers need to find a complementary running back to go with Austin Ekeler. He’s very productive. He rushed for 915 yards, had 1,637 yards from scrimmage and scored 18 touchdowns, but he’s not a big guy (5-foot-10, 200 pounds). You don’t want to use him constantly, even though he doesn’t get a lot of rushing attempts, because he’s utilized so much in the passing game.
The other thing that would help is if the Chargers can find a reliable third receiver who can get downfield. I’m not taking a shot at starters Keenan Allen or Mike Williams, but Allen missed seven games and Williams missed four last season, and their offense wasn’t able to gel without that third option.
>>READ: Could Chargers Trade Keenan Allen?
3. Fix Special Teams, Staley Can’t Go Off Script So Much
They’ve got to fix the special teams, especially their punt unit, which had a net average of 41.5 yards. I have to throw in Brandon Staley, who coaches like he's playing a video game. He’ll go for it from anywhere. His decisions sometimes defy real football logic; They're overly analytics-reliant.
For example, they had a chance to go to the playoffs in 2021. In the final regular-season game against the Las Vegas Raiders, they had a chance to take a tie and make the playoffs. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, he went for the win even though if they lost they weren’t making the playoffs.
This past year in a first-round playoff game, they led the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-0, and they blew that game (a 31-30 loss) with that quarterback and that roster. He’s got to start being accountable, and people have to focus on him because the Chargers have one of the top-five rosters in the NFL top to bottom. They’ve got a stud quarterback, and everyone knows it. So we’ll call it 50-50. Staley and the special teams have to be better.Â
Samari Rolle is a former NFL defensive back who played for the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens. He was a part of the Titans' Super Bowl XXXIV team. He was named an All-Pro in 2000 and also was voted to the Pro Bowl that season.