Chargers Defensive Woes Emerge in Season Debut

Something needs to change and fast..

We are just one week into the new season for the Los Angeles Chargers, and a familiar issue is already at hand. That would be the defensive struggles of this organization.

LA has an explosive offense that allows them to keep up with some of the other elite teams in the NFL, but their defense is still a work in progress. They came into the season with questions about whether the defense could hold up their part, and so far, it didn’t show that it could.

“At the same time, this is not a one-off issue. The Chargers gave up the fourth-most explosive passes of any defense in the league last season, according to TruMedia. They allowed explosive passes on more than 17 percent of opposing pass attempts, which ranked 31st in the league. This was an area in which Staley vowed to improve after the season.”

Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic

Even though they were playing another high-powered offense in the Miami Dolphins, the Chargers need to be better. They can’t keep playing in shootouts and expect to be very successful. At some point, they will need to be able to get stops; otherwise, it will be another wasted year.

This year was supposed to be different, and they had a chance to show it in the season opener. But as the common saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

“Instead, the Chargers opened the season with their worst pass-defense showing since Staley was hired in 2021. By EPA per play, it was their worst overall defensive performance under Staley, according to TruMedia.”

Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic

The issues of this defense will be something to watch as the year progresses. It will make or break their season, and if things don’t change soon, the Chargers may also be forced to make some personnel changes.