Los Angeles Chargers 2023-24 Season Guidebook

While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months.  However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year.

Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here.
 
In today's article, I'll be discussing the Los Angeles Chargers.

I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.  To check out an article for another team, click the link below:
https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl

2022 Season Recap

The Chargers experienced success in Brandon Staley’s 2nd season as head coach, but their season ended on a very sour note.  After finishing the regular season 10-7 for 2nd place in the AFC West, they blew a 27-0 first half lead against the Jaguars in the wild card round of the playoffs.  It was the team’s first postseason appearance since 2018, but the Chargers weren’t able to make the most of it.
 
LA was one of the best passing teams while simultaneously having one of the least efficient ground games.  However, in a pass-happy offense, their backfield contributes more to the air attack than most other teams.  The Chargers finished above average in points scored per game but below average in points allowed per game.  Their defense gave up a lot of rushing yards throughout the season, but defended the pass well.
 
Significant Roster Moves

The Chargers lost a few key pieces on defense that they could miss to some degree in 2023.  Safety Nasir Adderley, cornerback Bryce Callahan, and linebackers Drue Tranquill and Kyle Van Noy all started nearly every game in 2022 but will not return for 2023.  OG Matt Feiler will be the main guy missing from the offense, though DeAndre Carter contributed a lot last season as well.
 
The biggest addition to the team in free agency is definitely Eric Kendricks, who will start at inside linebacker.
 
2023 Draft Class

LA drafted seven guys in the 2023 draft – one in each round.  They took two receivers from TCU: Quentin Johnson in the 1st round who will be an immediate starter, and Derius Davis in the 4th round who will begin the season as Johnson’s backup.  They followed those picks up by taking their college quarterback, Max Duggan, in the final round.  However, Duggan was waived in the final roster cuts of preseason.
 
Aside from the offensive guard drafted in the 5th round, the Chargers used their remaining selections on defensive players to bolster the D-line and linebacker groups.
 
Season Schedule

The Chargers will take on the AFC East and the NFC North in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games.  Their other three opponents are the Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Ravens.  With an opponent prior season win percentage of .517, Los Angeles has the 14th hardest schedule in the NFL.

LA’s primetime games include one Thursday night game at Las Vegas, two Sunday night games versus Chicago and Baltimore, and two Monday night games versus Dallas and at the New York Jets.  They also play on Saturday night versus Buffalo in Week 16.
 
Depth Charts

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

The Chargers return 19 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year, which is more than most teams around the league.  They should be good on both sides of the ball again with stars at multiple positions on both offense and defense.  If you take every team’s starting quarterback, running back, and two receivers and compare them, you won’t find much better than what the Chargers have put together.  LA is set up to make another postseason run in 2023, and they’ll hope to avenge their early exit last season.
 
Coaching Staff

Brandon Staley returns for his 3rd season as head coach of the Chargers.  He hired two new coordinators in the offseason: Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore, who joins the staff after four seasons as O.C. of the Cowboys; and Derrick Ansley, who was promoted from his position as LA’s Defensive Backs Coach for two seasons.  Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken will begin his second season in his current role.
 
Betting Odds

Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Los Angeles at 9.5 games.  As of right now, the Chargers are the 2nd most likely team to win the AFC West and are the 7th most likely to win the AFC as a whole.  At +2500 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are tied for 10th among all teams in the league.
 
Bucket Squad Predictions

Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Chargers to finish 10-7 in 2023 for 2nd in the AFC West and 6th in the AFC.  Their win in a three-way tiebreaker with the Ravens and Dolphins will give them the next to last playoff spot on the AFC side of the bracket.

What do you think?  Will Los Angeles be better or worse than I'm projecting?  What offseason moves made by the Chargers surprised you the most?  Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them.

Written by Nick Swatson