Chargers News: Long-Term Role Change Likely For Standout Bolt

The versatile superstar defender could see a change in roles

Your Los Angeles Chargers' defense could be... better. 

Like, a lot better. 

The Chargers' defense ranks 31st out of 32 teams. The only club LA is ahead of is their AFC West rival, the 5-5 Denver Broncos. 

It's baffling how bad this defense is, especially when considering who their leader is, All-Pro safety Derwin James. James has been a stud since entering the league from Florida State and has proven year in and year out that he is the best at his position. However, James is known for his versatility on defense, and we saw that on display in Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers. 

Head coach Brandon Staley discussed how we'll see James more in the STAR position. 

"I think that's fair to say that we like that direction. I thought that he played an outstanding game yesterday."

(Per Eric Smith of Chargers.com)

The STAR position is a hybrid safety that could play outside linebacker in most 4-3 schemes. 

The 27-year-old is known for his ability to play at multiple alignments in the team's defense, so this is nothing new to him. However, why the change now? Staley expressed why afterward. 

"A combination of just — we felt like this really gets Derwin in a position to impact the game more, make our front stronger, especially in three-receiver groupings. The strength, right now, of our team is our front seven. Make our front even stronger and then get Derwin in a position that can unlock a little bit even more flexibility within some of those five DB groupings. I liked what I saw yesterday with him in that role."

(Per Eric Smith of Chargers.com)

LA needs to do everything it can to improve the defense internally at this point, so if they feel good about it, why not? The secondary can't get any worse at this point. 

James can do it all on the defensive side of the ball, and the numbers prove that. He's just as good being a part of the front seven as in the secondary. In his career, he's collected eight interceptions, five forced fumbles, 22 tackles for loss, and 19 QB hits. 

The result in Week 11 wasn't what they wanted, but hopefully, this change improves the defense, and they get on a winning track from here on out. 

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