Los Angeles Chargers could be AFC’s wild card contender
The Los Angeles Chargers haven’t reached the Super Bowl since 1994, but perhaps this group has the right stuff.
Few teams can believe they had a better offseason. Few teams should be more excited for the future.
The Los Angeles Chargers were supposedly reaching when they took Justin Herbert at No. 6 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. The third quarterback chosen, many felt Los Angeles was doing itself a disservice born out of desperation.
One year later, that notion seems absurd. Herbert won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, throwing for 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns in 15 starts. He went 6-9 in the process. Herbert, however, needed better talent around him, specifically an overhaul of the league’s worst offensive line by many metrics.
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Luckily for Herbert, general manager Tom Telesco came through.
The Chargers were aggressive at the outset of free agency, landing guard Matt Feiler on a three-year deal before signing All-Pro center Corey Linsley away from the Green Bay Packers on a five-year pact. In the draft, Los Angeles went back to the proverbial well, taking standout left tackle Rashawn Slater out of Northwestern with the No. 13 overall selection.
Additionally, the Chargers did well to keep its defensive talent level on the same plane. While edge rusher Melvin Ingram remains a free agent, linebacker Denzel ferryman went to the Carolina Panthers and cornerback Casey Hayward signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, Los Angeles retained corner Michael Davis and selected Florida State corner Asante Samuel Jr. in the second round.
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While the Chargers aren’t going to be a favorite to come out of the AFC — or even the AFC West with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs looming — they are one of the most intriguing long shots. Los Angeles is currently 30/1 to win it all, tied with the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
However, the AFC odds are only 16/1, placing Los Angeles T-7th in the conference. Those aren’t bad odds if you believe in Herbert having another fantastic year and the abilities of first-year head coach Brandon Staley.
After going 7-9 one year ago (and finishing with four straight wins to end the campaign), the Chargers are rolling in both talent and anticipation. We’ll see if they can turn hope into victories and perhaps some money for bettors who believe in the cause.
