The Chargers lost their heart and soul of the team from the past decade after the franchise and quarterback Philip Rivers mutually decided to part ways earlier this offseason.
Other notable players that fled consist of tackle Russell Okung, running back Melvin Gordon, safety Adrian Phillips and fullback Derek Watt. So how much continuity did Los Angeles retain overall coming out of last season?
ESPN ranked all 32 NFL teams based on continuity, and L.A. ranked No. 16 overall.
Here’s how the “continuity stats” shook up:
Offensive snaps returning: 69.6% (27th)
Defensive snaps returning: 77.8% (T-9th)
Starters returning: 17 (6 offense, 8 defense, 3 special teams)Non-coordinator assistants returning: 14 of 17
Coordinators returning: 2 of 3 (Shane Steichen, 1st full season as OC after 8 games as interim in 2019; Gus Bradley, DC; George Stewart, ST)
Starting QB: Tyrod Taylor, 1st year with Chargers (9th overall)
Head coach: Anthony Lynn, 4th year (26-22)
The offensive side of the ball took the biggest hit, as they lost Rivers, Okung, Gordon, Watt and guard Michael Schofield.
To fill the voids, the team is rolling with Tyrod Taylor and are hopeful that first-round pick Justin Herbert is the long-term answer at the position. Along with that, they gave the signal-callers some help by adding tackle Bryan Bulaga, guard Trai Turner and rookies Joshua Kelley, K.J. Hill and Joe Reed.
The majority of the defensive starters stayed intact with the only losses being Phillips, linebacker Thomas Davis, defensive tackle Brandon Mebane. However, the rich got richer after they acquired cornerback Chris Harris Jr., defensive tackle Linval Joseph and rookie linebacker Kenneth Murray.
“The Chargers made aggressive moves in free agency and the NFL draft to upgrade their roster to contend in the AFC West,” ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry said.
“But two big questions remain in their effort to chase down the Chiefs: Will they be able to form an identity without Philip Rivers, and how quickly can a plethora of new starters meld with the returners with an abbreviated offseason?”