Crimson Tide NFL Team Rundown: Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers finished 2022 with an embarrassing blown lead of 27 points to the Jaguars. How can they be more consistent in 2023? And can a former Alabama punter help?

It's no secret that the Los Angeles Chargers have suffered some heartbreak over the years. Last season, they held a 27-point lead just before halftime in the AFC wildcard round over the Jacksonville Jaguars. They looked to be ready to cruise to an easy win and another date with the Kansas City Chiefs, their third of the year. Instead, the Chargers lost 31-to-30 and watched as Trevor Lawrence rebounded from four picks to pull out the stunning win. 

Heading into 2023, the Chargers extended Justin Herbert on a five-year, $262.5 million contract, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL. It goes without saying that with the long-term commitment, the front office is expecting big things from the quarterback. 

Herbert will have a variety of weapons at his disposal in 2023. As has been the case since his rookie season, the team's top two wide receivers are Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Allen is widely considered one of the best route runners across the NFL, and Williams is one of the best big-body wideouts. They saw a bit of a dip in production due to injuries in 2022, but both Allen and Williams appear healthy and ready for a rebound year. 

In addition to those two, the Chargers drafted TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnson in the first round, securing another highly athletic option for the passing attack. Last season he had 1,069 receiving yards and six touchdowns for a TCU team that appeared to catch lightning in a bottle en route to a College Football Playoff and national championship appearance. The Chargers also retained Austin Ekeler, one of the best dual-threat running backs in the league. In 2022, he had 915 rushing yards, 722 receiving yards, and 18 total touchdowns. With all that, in addition hiring new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore from Dallas, the Chargers are poised for one of their best seasons yet offensively. 

Defensively, the Chargers are a force to be reckoned with in the pass rush. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack form one of the most formidable edge duos in the NFL. Bosa played just five games in 2022 due to injury, but his last fully healthy season saw 10.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles, earning him a Pro Bowl spot in 2021. Mack had a good season in 2022 by most standards, recording 50 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, for a Pro Bowl invitation. 

The Chargers secondary is also top-notch with defensive backs Derwin James Jr. and Asante Samuel Jr., both out of Florida State. James is known to be a hard-hitting safety. He had 115 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and two picks in 2022, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors. Samuel played in all 17 games in 2022, notching two picks and 11 passes defended. 

While a lot of fans don't believe that punters can make a big difference in the game, you often don't realize how important they are until your team has a bad punter. The Chargers have one of the best punters that college football has ever seen: JK Scott. 

His best year statistically at Alabama was his freshman season in 2014 when he averaged 48 yards per punt. The fewest yards per punt that Scott had at Alabama was 43 during his senior year. However, after starting his NFL career in Green Bay, being in a warn and domed environment could help Scott's numbers and hang time. 

In addition to punting, Scott will be the holder for kicker Dustin Hopkins. 

The Chargers should expect to see development from their strong group of wide receiver as the group continues to develop with Herbert. If he can play at a high level in 2023, then the Chargers could compete with Kansas City for the divisional title and maybe see the Chiefs for a third time during the NFL playoffs. 

Active Los Angeles Chargers:

#16, JK Scott, P

See also: Bama in the NFL: Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players by Team