Los Angeles Chargers must find way to topple Chiefs in 2019

The Los Angeles Chargers had a great year in 2018. They went 12-4. They beat the Kansas City Chiefs for the first time since 2013, and in Arrowhead Stadium no less. Additionally, they won a playoff game.

Yet all of that seems somewhat hollow. Why? Because Kansas City still won the division. The Chiefs not only won a playoff game but advanced to the AFC Championship Game. There, they played the New England Patriots into an overtime thriller, the same team that dismantled the Chargers a week earlier in the Divisional round.

All this goes as the background to a very tough fact. Philip Rivers only has a few years left before he waves goodbye.

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Los Angeles is going to retain much of a very good roster this offseason. The Chargers don’t have many tough decisions to make, likely parting ways with the oft-injured cornerback Jason Verrett and defensive lineman Corey Liuget. Inside linebacker Denzel Perryman and wide receiver Tyrell Williams are the only difficult calls, but both could be retained by general manager Tom Telesco if the price is right.

Looking at the projected cap totals this offseason, the Chargers have roughly $18.42 million, but that’s before likely cuts of Travis Benjamin, Michael Schofield and Liuget, which would almost double that amount. In other words, the Chargers won’t have a litany of space provided they bring back Williams and Perryman, but they should have enough money to get another quality player or two in free agency.

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As for Kansas City, it’s in a similar boat. The Chiefs aren’t sure whether they are going to tag Dee Ford or not, with new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo still pouring over the tape. There’s also a good chance they part ways with outside linebacker Justin Houston to save $14 million on the cap, all while letting center Mitch Morse, defensive end Allen Bailey and cornerback Steven Nelson leave in free agency.

Should Kansas City retain Ford and cut Houston, the Chiefs would be left with approximately $25 million to spend on defensive improvements and offensive depth. With the continued maturation of Patrick Mahomes and three draft picks in the first two rounds, the Chargers will need to make improvements if they want to overtake the Chiefs in the AFC West.

With Rivers being 37 years old, time is running out. Telesco should be aggressive in adding more weapons and help on the second level of the defense. If not soon for these Chargers and their borderline Hall of Fame quarterback, it could well be never.