The Los Angeles Chargers had a make-or-break season this year. They either had to make the playoffs or changes were inevitable for next season. Unfortunately, the Chargers did not make the playoffs, and several issues plagued the team. While there were many reasons for the Chargers’ failure to reach the playoffs, three main factors stand out.
3. The Herbert Injury was the dagger to the season
This season was already a disaster when this particular event occurred, but it turned out to be the final blow to the Chargers’ chances of making the 2023 NFL Playoffs. Justin Herbert, the quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers, is one of the most underappreciated players in the NFL. Herbert is the most crucial player on this team and is among the best quarterbacks in the league. His hand/finger injury against the Broncos was pivotal, essentially sealing the Chargers’ fate in their playoff aspirations. While Easton Stick performed well for the remainder of the season, Herbert’s superiority became evident, and his injury effectively marked the end of the Chargers’ season.
2. The defense was a disaster due to poor schematics
One of the biggest disappointments for the Chargers this season has been their defense. It has had multiple poor performances and moments where the team seemed to quit the game. The worst part about the defense is that it has talented players who have performed well. Khalil Mack experienced a resurgence this season, Joey Bosa remains Joey Bosa, and Asante Samuel Jr. has shown promise. Clearly, there was a schematic issue, and a significant reason for the Chargers’ defensive struggles has been because of the man below…
1. Not Firing Brandon Staley Last Season
If you want to know why the Chargers did not make the playoffs, this is why: Coaching matters in this league, and last year showed how incompetent Brandon Staley was as the head coach. This guy decided, last year, to play the starters in a meaningless Week 18 game, resulting in Mike Williams missing the playoffs due to a back injury. Additionally, other players played with injuries in the playoff game last year against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Staley even contributed to blowing a 27-0 lead, which should have resulted in an automatic dismissal.
Staley was the definition of a hack, and he should have been fired after last year. Yet the Chargers made the puzzling decision to keep him, and the team once again was poorly coached. Staley was eventually fired during the season, a year too late. What a complete waste of a season for the Chargers and another prime year of Justin Herbert’s career thrown away because the organization was cheap and foolish for not firing Staley last season.
Where do the Los Angeles Chargers go from here?
Well, Step 1 is to hire a new Head Coach and General Manager. That is a must, and if the Chargers are smart, they’ll go all-in on either Bill Belichick (if he is available) or Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers should not make the same mistake of hiring a one-year coordinator as their head coach. I do wonder what the Chargers will do with Kellen Moore, who was hired as the offensive coordinator.
One thing is for sure: the Chargers have to improve the defensive schematics and protect Herbert. The offensive line was a mess, and the Chargers need to acquire more weapons for him. Excluding Keenan Allen, the Chargers don’t have a consistently great receiver. Don’t give up on Quentin Johnson; he is a rookie, but he performed terribly this season. Mike Williams is talented but struggles to stay healthy. Austin Ekeler has declined, and the running back depth is poor.
The Chargers have a lot of work to do this offseason, especially considering the team’s cap situation. They may have to rebuild the entire team from scratch due to their cap constraints.
