The Chargers are heading into Year 3 under Coach Jim Harbaugh. No one can deny the effect he’s had on this organization. Back to back 11 win seasons, back to back playoff appearances, and the sense that the Chargers can win the close games. The term “Chargering” is something that feels of a thing of the past with this new regime. The Chargers have found ways to win the close games, and shut the door on their opponents during the past two seasons.
However, the Chargers haven’t won a playoff game since 2018 and haven’t won the AFC West since the 2009-2010 season. I think that this year both of these outcomes change.
Let’s start with how the changes this offseason help propel the Chargers into the national conversation this year. The Chargers went out and got the best offensive coordinator on the market. Going from Greg Roman to Mike McDaniel is like going from a Honda Civic to a Ferrari. It’s not a secret a lot of this offseason was dependent on bringing Mike McDaniel on board to rebuild this offensive scheme and unlock levels to Justin Herbert we have yet to see during his seven year career in the NFL. But it’s not just unlocking Herbert, the run game is going to significantly improve under McDaniel. If you go back to when McDaniel was in Miami, Raheem Mostert scored 18 touchdowns in his offense. Think about what he can do with the talent the Chargers have in the backfield between Hampton, Vidal, Mitchell, and Patterson. The sky is the absolute limit for this offense heading into this season.
Onto the defense, the Chargers are basically running it back with the same players on the defensive side of the ball with a few key additions. The Chargers drafted Akheem Mesidor in the 1st round to replace Odafe Oweh, who left in free agency. I had the chance to interview Chargers legend Shawne Merriman, and he believes Mesidor can hit double digit sacks this year and be the NFL Defensive Rookie player of the year. The Chargers also added Dalvin Tomlinson who is coming off a down year, but I think the pairing with defensive line coach Mike Elston, can have him poised for a rebound season. The Chargers also lost Jesse Minter this offseason, but I believe they don’t miss a beat with new Defensive Coordinator Chris O’Leary. The veterans in the locker room were ecstatic when O’Leary was the hire. He comes from the Mike McDonald coaching tree of defense, and I believe that the Chargers are poised to have another top 10 defense this year.
The AFC West is one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. However, I do not believe that the Broncos improved this offseason. The Broncos won 6 one score games last season, which I don’t think repeats this season. The Chiefs still have uncertainty as to when Patrick Mahomes will be back after coming off his ACL/LCL tear. I don’t think we will see him until just before the Week 10 mark. The Chiefs defense is also in a rebuild in my opinion, losing All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie in a trade with the Rams. The Raiders are improved, but they have a new coach, new quarterbacks and I think they will be middle of the pack this year as far as their record.
So between the offensive changes, defensive changes and the competition in the AFC West, I believe this is the year for the Chargers to end this 16 year drought of not having a division title. I also think claiming this division title sets the Chargers up for a playoff win at home for the first playoff win in the Harbaugh era and the first home playoff game this fan base has seen in 16 years. This season for me is a zero excuse season, and I truly believe the Chargers have the pieces in place to get the job done.
