For many years, the Los Angeles Chargers have looked very good on paper in the weeks leading up to the start of the NFL regular season.
Whether their starting quarterback has been Philip Rivers or Justin Herbert, they have possessed one of the more talented squads year in and year out, but they have always found ways to greatly disappoint their fans.
The biggest factor in them falling short of expectations seemingly every year has been injuries, and it is something former NFL head coach Herm Edwards reminded everyone of during an episode of NFL Live.
“Historically, [the Chargers] have always looked good. Coming out of the locker room, they’re the best looking team in pro football, but they can never stay healthy.”
—Herm Edwards on the Chargers’ potential ⚡ pic.twitter.com/5eGRG5xZvv
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 27, 2023
Last offseason, GM Tom Telesco was very aggressive in upgrading on defense, as his team acquired pass-rusher Khalil Mack and cornerback J.C. Jackson.
It looked like the Chargers would have at least an outside shot at winning the Super Bowl, something they had never done, but injuries doomed them almost from the start.
Top wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams missed several games each, while Jackson and star outside linebacker Joey Bosa each appeared in just five games.
Then came head coach Brandon Staley’s controversial decision to heavily play Williams in a meaningless Week 17 contest, during which Williams got hurt again and was unavailable for L.A.’s Wild Card playoff contest.
There, they took a 27-0 lead over the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars, only to lose on a last-second field goal by Riley Patterson.
Until the Chargers improve their luck when it comes to staying healthy, they will be stuck in neutral no matter how much talent they can boast on paper.
