By: Michael Higgins

The Los Angeles Chargers are finally coming out of the Brandon Staley era that was highlighted by blowing a 27-point lead in the playoffs to the Jaguars. With a new general manager and new coaches across the board, including HC Jim Harbaugh, they wanted to build their own team and win their own way.

The team traded their two fan favorite wide receivers in Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. On top of those losses, C Corey Linsley retired due to an injury plagued last few seasons. They also let key contributors walk such as CB Michael Davis, RB Austin Ekeler, TE Gerald Everett, DL Austin Johnson, LB Eric Kendricks, and LB Kenneth Murray. Most of those departures were for the best as they seemed to be doing more harm than good for the team.

Los Angeles rebuilt their offense, the most overhaul seen was in the running back room. They added former Ravens’ RBs Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins. They also added TEs Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst, WR DJ Chark, LBs Troy Dye and Denzel Perryman, C Bradley Bozeman, CB Kristian Fulton, and EDGE Bud Dupree.

In the draft, they did well to build a team that will play to Jim Harbaugh’s coaching style. In the 1st round, when many expected them to go with Malik Nabers, they draft OT Joe Alt. They were able to get a starting WR in the 2nd round in Ladd McConkey. They also went on a tear with defense, draft guys like LB Junior Colson, CB Cam Hart, and DL Justin Eboigbe.

The team kicks off the season at home against the Raiders before two road games against the Panthers and Steelers, before returning home to play the Chiefs. The Chargers start the seasons 2-2.

They have an early bye week to open October, then have two straight road games against the Broncos and Cardinals (MNF in Arizona), and close the month at home against the Saints. They go 2-1 in October.

November is going to be a challenging month for the Chargers. They have a game against the Browns in the Dog Pound before a nice home stand that includes the Titans, Bengals, and finally the Ravens on Monday Night Football. November sees the Chargers go 1-3.

The final stretch of the season lightens up for the team, they play the Falcons in Atlanta and the Chiefs in Kansas City. Then they go back home to take on the Buccaneers and Broncos, then another two-game trip against the Patriots and the Raiders. They go 4-2 in this stretch.

I have the Chargers finishing the 2024 season at 9-8. This may seem a bit optimistic given all of the turnover and roster changes. However, the turnover was not linear, it was instant improvement in most areas. The difference between their floor and ceiling may be the largest gap in all of the NFL, but I see them getting closer to their ceiling than their floor.

2023 Record: 5-12

2024 Prediction: 9-8