Your annual Chargers hype article

[Danguardace]

Here we go

Justin Herbert, Chargers ready to be West Coast's next Cinderella squad
Published: Mar 31, 2021 at 01:38 PM
Headshot_Author_Adam Schein_2019_png
Adam Schein
NFL.com Contributing Columnist



The streak is over.

This is the spot in my annual column announcing my choice for the upcoming season's Cinderella team where I normally recount my string of past successes. The 2017 Jaguars reached the AFC title game. The 2018 Bears captured their first division title in eight years. The 2019 Bills won double-digit games for the first time since 1999.

And the 2020 Cardinals ... well, the 2020 Cardinals lost to two backup quarterbacks in the final two weeks of the season, falling out of the playoff race and finishing 8-8. For the first time in four years, my Cinderella team missed the postseason.

I'm still annoyed, even if this isn't technically supposed to be a playoff pick. Nevertheless, I remain undaunted in my search for a sleeper who can capture the hearts and minds of a nation. And unlike last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sports world, I can seek inspiration from what has arguably been the best NCAA men's basketball tournament ever.

Thinking about the way Pac-12 teams have repeatedly shocked the experts, with 11th-seeded UCLA's stunning win over top-seeded Michigan in the Elite Eight capping a record-setting run of upsets by the Bruins, 12th-seeded Oregon State, seventh-seeded Oregon and sixth-seeded USC, I found myself channeling the words of the great Coolio:

Ain't no party like a West Coast party, 'cause a West Coast party don't stop!

He's right. And the party baton is about to be carried into the NFL season by my 2021 Cinderella team: the Los Angeles Chargers.


The key in this exercise is identifying a team that did not make the playoffs last season and that is not on the radar of most people (which rules out teams like the Cowboys, who should be favorites in the NFC East with Dak Prescott returning). I know the Chargers seem to attract offseason buzz like it's their business, but they also have regularly failed to make good on it -- meaning they are, in a way, an ideal post-hype-ish choice.

Plus, like Cinderella's slipper, the Bolts just feel right.

It starts with the quarterback. Regular readers (and listeners and viewers) know I've been obsessed with Justin Herbert since long before Los Angeles' brilliant decision to draft him sixth overall last year. I was enamored with Herbert's arm, athleticism, accuracy, smarts, leadership and poise, and how it could translate into instant NFL stardom. It all came to fruition in a debut season for the ages, with the former Oregon Duck throwing for 4,336 yards and 31 TDs (against just 10 picks) before capturing the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He developed a tremendous rapport with underrated star receiver Keenan Allen while showing he's the kind of special player who elevates everyone around him. The kid has it.


Justin Herbert highlights | 2020 season
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And that's just what we saw last year, when he started off as a backup who had to adjust to the NFL during a COVID-limited offseason. Think of what Herbert will be able to do in 2021, entering as an entrenched starter.

Think of what he'll be able to do with a new coach.

I love ex-Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, who earned my vote for Coach of the Year in 2018, when he helped the team to a 12-4 record and playoff berth. He's a great person. But the team was dropping too many close games, racking up more defeats by seven points or less (15) in the past two seasons than any other NFL team in that span, and Lynn's game-management was a significant problem. Losing was becoming too normal. A change was needed.

Brandon Staley is the right guy at the right time. While there is always an unknown surrounding first-year coaches, Staley represents a calculated upgrade. The well-respected defensive whiz, whose players seemed to loved playing for him in previous stops with the Rams, Broncos and Bears, will end the run of "you can't make 'em up" losses that has been dogging the Chargers.

Yes, what really gets me excited about this team is thinking about all the additions that were made to help Herbert, from Staley to Corey Linsley, who will be worth every single penny of his five-year, $62.5 million deal as the new leader of the offensive line. I raved about the fit and contract in this space last week -- he's the best center in football. Tight end Jared Cook, filling in for the departed Hunter Henry on a one-year deal, is a great replacement who will be able to groove with the QB.


Corey Linsley: 'I'm excited' to get to work with Justin Herbert
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And I cannot wait to see what general manager Tom Telesco does with the 13th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Telesco is a huge part of this. He's a brilliant talent evaluator, and he's loaded the roster with promising players who haven't even reached their peak yet. Think of their overlooked depth and ability at running back (2020 fourth-rounder Joshua Kelley) and receiver (former undrafted players Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson).

One year ago, a few months after Telesco picked linebacker Kenneth Murray with a second first-rounder, I made the case that the Chargers' defense was the best in the NFL. While Murray was terrific as a tackling machine, logging 107 total tackles (second-most among rookies last season), I had to back off that bold claim when safety Derwin James was lost for the 2020 season. James will be back, and he will thrive in Staley's dynamic and diverse scheme. Joey Bosa is a flat-out monster at defensive end, one of the best defensive players in the sport. He's a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks -- and I think Staley can make him even better. That's scary.

Obviously, it will be tough to win the AFC West, where Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs loom. But I love this Chargers group, which is just silly with upside. The right people are in place -- and they will get me back on track after the Cardinals let me down last year.

The slipper will go back on that foot. And somewhere, Coolio will be smiling. Because this West Coast party is going to roll long past midnight.

I guess they'll get right some time.

[Deberg_1990]

How are we feeling about the Chargers draft class?


Are they ready to take the West?

https://www.latimes.com/sports/charg...-pick-analysis

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Your yearly confirmation that is indeed the offseason! Gotta be honest I thought Cowherd would be all over the Broncos bc of his buddy Sean Payton

“I think the Chargers are gonna win their division.”

“Does @getnickwright know?”@colincowherd & @DannyParkins on the Chargers taking another leap pic.twitter.com/96bLu260DW

— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 13, 2025

Literally decades of failed college to pro moves from coaches and we have Cowherd acting like Harbaugh has unlocked the ****ing rosetta stone.

"Well he was tuned in to college so he'll be great at the draft..."

You mean like every single college coach that came to the pro level and didn't do shit before him? It has NEVER been any sort of factor -- but hey, it's the Chargers so obviously it will be this time...

Glad we got this out of the way in April this year.

This is the year, guys!

[FloridaMan88]

Adam Schein will no doubt be along to do his annual cock riding of Suckbert as well.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Your yearly confirmation that is indeed the offseason! Gotta be honest I thought Cowherd would be all over the Broncos bc of his buddy Sean Payton

“I think the Chargers are gonna win their division.”

“Does @getnickwright know?”@colincowherd & @DannyParkins on the Chargers taking another leap pic.twitter.com/96bLu260DW

— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 13, 2025

If you ever watch his “Sharp or Square” show, he usually bets on the team with the better QB. So not terribly surprising that Cowherd picked LAC instead of DEN.

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

How are we feeling about the Chargers draft class?


Are they ready to take the West?

https://www.latimes.com/sports/charg...-pick-analysis

Take the West? Nah, but they can compete in the off season Superbowl. And they won't even have to play the Cowgirls, because even the homers know that even in the off season they ain't getting past the Iggles.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Chief Pagan

Take the West? Nah, but they can compete in the off season Superbowl. And they won't even have to play the Cowgirls, because even the homers know that even in the off season they ain't getting past the Iggles.

All the West is starting to do is get those same vibes as the East.

It's a credible division now. Not one where the top of the division should change really, but one where the teams below it can jump up and take a bite out of the leader if they're not careful.

The Patriots, Dolphins, Jets, Broncos, Raiders and Chargers can all jump up and COST someone a bye week.

They're just not risk of actually securing it in their own right.

The odd thing is that football is zero sum. So with the West and East getting better over the last couple of years - who's expense is it coming at? Hell, even the North seems to be even with where it's been.

Is everyone gaining at the expense of the AFC and NFC South? Because those divisions still look like a tire fire.

[wazu]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

If you ever watch his “Sharp or Square” show, he usually bets on the team with the better QB. So not terribly surprising that Cowherd picked LAC instead of DEN.

Well, yeah that's fine if Patrick Mahomes isn't in the division. In that brief clip it sounds more like he is picking Harbaugh over Reid.

[duncan_idaho]

Saw this bumped and was like, "Oh, I should go review the Chargers' offseason and see what moves are going to be hyped this time."

So, took a look at their two on OurLads, and ... color me not impressed.

Their biggest addition on offense is Hampton. And he's good, but they had really good and dynamic play at RB last year from the always-injured dude, when he was healthy. I'm also not sure how quickly he translates to the NFL or if he's a "Special" back.

They did add Mekhi Becton, but other than last season he has been warmed over ass. Maybe the stint with the Eagles unlocked him... or maybe it just allowed him to play on an incredible line on a team with a lot of talent.

The WR group is another Ladd McConkey injury away from looking awful. Not sure Mike Williams and his caveman knees are the answer there...

That defense still looks woof-y to me. Worse than last year. Still have James and Henley, who are good. But the front is not imposing, and their pure corner play looks iffy.

They're still battling the Broncos for 2nd fiddle in the West this year, IMO. I don't see it.

[DJ's left nut]

And I feel like, if we've learned nothing, it should be that defenses are more a product of their schedule than anything else.

Unless/until they can establish some sustainability.

More defenses are flashes in the pan than any sort of legitimate annual standout unit. I mean the Eagles resurgence is one thing -- they infused a SHITLOAD of young talent into that group and seemingly all of it hit. You can probably establish a pretty good baseline (while also acknowledging that 2023 was more of the outlier than 2024 over their last several seasons).

But the Chargers? Nah. The unit looked wildly improved last year due to coaching and schedule. The schedule will be harder this year and the league has another year to pick at that Chargers scheme.

That defense will absolutely take a step backwards, IMO.

And like you, I'm just not worried about Harbaugh grunting his way through an NFL schedule. Maybe he proves me wrong and the pendulum has swung back his way.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by wazu

Well, yeah that's fine if Patrick Mahomes isn't in the division. In that brief clip it sounds more like he is picking Harbaugh over Reid.

Ah. I haven’t watched the clip yet. Was just noting how cowherd probably picked LAC over DEN. I can see how he might pick Harbaugh over Reid, just to generate clicks, and after that terrible SB performance a few months ago. He has to make a living, lol.