Chargers New Linebacker Focuses on Fresh Start, Doesn't Recall Playoff Collapse

Out of sight, out of mind

Brought in during the offseason after a long tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, newest Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks is already looking ahead to the 2023 season without any lingering thoughts about the past. 

In fact, Kendricks had an interesting response to a question about the team's collapse last seeing, showing a clear mindset to focus on the present. 

"I don't have the memory, you know what I mean? It's a beautiful thing. I watched the first half, luckily, and saw them balling and I turned it off after that. So my memory is, I didn't see anything. I don't even know what you're talking about. I'm coming in with a clean slate, a clean attitude."

via Peter King, NFL on NBC

No matter how painful the loss in 2022's Wild Card Game to Jacksonville was, Kendricks ushers in a new thought process that what's done is done, and the team should only look forward now. 

With talents such as Kendricks brought in to help the defensive side of the ball, the Chargers want to wash a bad taste out of their mouths as quickly as possible. 

A playoff appearance won't be easy to come by in a loaded conference, especially with their division rival Chiefs' recent pedigree. 

Weaker than in previous seasons, the Chargers may see a window of opportunity to finally topple their most pressing competition in Kansas City this year. 

Boasting their promising young quarterback, the Bolts recently inked Justin Herbert to a new five-year extension to make him the highest-paid signal caller in the league. 

Across each level of both the offense and defense, talent is more than present for Los Angeles, and a run at a division title is very possible. 

Whether or not the Chargers can get it done, but a mentality like Kendricks will only help such a pursuit.