Los Angeles Chargers are good quarterback play from being contender
For the longest time, the Los Angeles Chargers failed to put a complete team around Philip Rivers. Now, they simply need someone like Rivers in his prime.
With Rivers, the Los Angeles Chargers often had terrific talent, but it ended in disaster. The offensive line has largely been a weak spot for the last decade. As a result, the main components of an offseason champion fell to injury.
Heading into training camp this summer, it appears the places are all in place for a championship challenge. Save for the most important one.
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Perhaps general manager Tom Telesco has the long-term answer in Justin Herbert. Telesco spent the No. 6 overall pick on the University of Oregon product. Herbert will spend most of the upcoming camp completing with veteran signal-caller Tyrod Taylor. In reality, Taylor will almost certainly start unless injured, given the cancellation of OTAs and minicamp due to COVID-19.
While the quarterback is a significant question mark — and if the man is Taylor, we know he’s a good backup and a below-average starter — the rest of the roster is loaded with star power.
On offense, Taylor (or Herbert) is surrounded by receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Hunter Henry. The offensive line also has real promise with center Mike Pouncey, left tackle Bryan Bulaga and guard Trai Turner leading the way.
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Defensively, there is All-Pro talent at all three levels. On the line, edge rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are one of the best tandems in football, with Linval Joseph causing problems on the interior. The linebackers are led by oft-injured veteran Denzel Perryman and rookie first-round pick Kenneth Murray, who has star written all over him. The cornerback include Casey Hayward, Chris Harris Jr. and Desmond King, alongside safety Derwin James.
Is all that enough to derail the defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs? Probably not, but it would be a damn good challenge if the Chargers get some luck under center.
With the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos both improving, the Chargers still appear the second-best team in the loaded AFC West. While winning the division could be tough, being one of the wild cards in the weak AFC. may be in play for a franchise which has struggled to consistently find its footing in recent years.
