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So what’s next for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023?

By Russell S. Baxter

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 14: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with teammate Justin Herbert #10 after rushes for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of the game in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 14: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with teammate Justin Herbert #10 after rushes for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of the game in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images) /
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A funny thing happened to the Los Angeles Chargers on their way to a postseason win. Now the Bolts hope to regroup after a stunning playoff loss.

The good news was that the Los Angeles Chargers reached the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The really bad news was that head coach Brandon Staley’s team owned a 27-0 second-quarter lead in their wild card meeting with the Jaguars and allowed Jacksonville to turn that into the third-biggest postseason comeback in NFL history.

The coaching staff has already taken a few hits. More importantly, can this franchise put this playoff disaster behind itself sooner than later? This is a club with a very talented roster.

What’s Next for the Los Angeles Chargers?

Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Shane Day were shown the door after the 31-30 playoff loss to the Jaguars. While the Chargers finished with the third-most passing yards per game in the league, only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans averaged fewer yards per game on the ground. Who will be the replacements for Lombardi and Day?

The club has a few key performers who could test free agency this year. Arguably the most important name is Drue Tranquill, who led the club with 144 total tackles, to go along with five sacks, four passes defended, and an interception. He had five tackles and picked off Trevor Lawrence in the wild card loss at Jacksonville.

Biggest Offseason Concern?

The franchise hasn’t won a division title since head coach Norv Turner led the club to a 13-3 showing in 2009. This past season, the club struggled vs. their AFC West rivals. The Bolts were swept by the Kansas City Chiefs and wound up splitting with both the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos. All told, four of the team’s regular-season losses came vs. their divisional brethren.

Last offseason, general manager Tom Telesco addressed a shaky defense by trading for edge rusher Khalil Mack and he wound up leading the team with eight sacks. Losing Joey Bosa for a spell hurt this unit and free-agent addition J.C. Jackson was also bitten hard by the injury bug. The Chargers allowed as many offensive TDs (41) as they scored. The Bolts were 28th in the league vs. the run.

The Chargers haven’t made consecutive playoff appearances since the team won four straight AFC West titles from 2006-09. Can they build on the team’s regular-season showing?

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