The Chargers have a lot to figure out during their Week 5, something that Jim Harbaugh acknowledged after the team’s loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. The first-year head coach mentioned that they would use the bye week as a time for improvement rather than rest.
There are a lot of questions to be answered, particularly after they have lost the last two games.
How healthy will Justin Herbert for the rest of 2024?
The truth is, no one may know the true answer to this question. He’s played through several injuries in his career, but this season, it’s limited him more than ever. It forced him to leave the team’s Week 3 contest, but he was able to return and start in Week 4.
The early season bye week specifically helps Herbert in a big way and will hopefully help heal him up. Without a fully healthy Herbert, the upside of this offense is significantly limited. He’s thrown for just 578 yards on the season, which is on pace to be the worst statistical season in his career by a wide margin.
Will the interior offensive line hold back the team’s running game?
We know just how elite the Chargers’ tackle duo is, but the interior part of the line remains a concern. Specifically, center Bradley Bozeman has been less than stellar through four weeks. The team’s running game has slowed down significantly in the last two games, albeit each of which came against elite defenses.
Still, Jim Harbaugh’s squad needs to return to their ways in that aspect of the game. The right guard spot with Trey Pipkins III has been an issue as well, which has led to opposing defensive lines exposing the Chargers. If things don’t improve, Los Angeles will have to find reinforcements at these spots along the line.
Will anyone step up in the tight end room?
The easy answer to this would be no. Based on the opening few weeks, there’s nothing that would suggest that this will change. It was seen as a weakness of this team before the season, and the two veterans that were signed this offseason haven’t provided much of a spark. Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst have combined for just 15 catches and 144 yards without a touchdown.
Can they make the playoffs with an underwhelming cast of weapons?
This was arguably the most significant question heading into the season, and the first few weeks didn’t answer much. Quentin Johnston has shown some improvements, but the offense remains underwhelming overall.
That’s been due to a few different factors, but the Chargers lack top-end talent at the wide receiver and tight end positions. Rookie Ladd McConkey leads the team in catches (15) and receiving yards (176). The team lacks a true No. 1 wideout, which should be the top priority for general manager Joe Hortiz next offseason.
Who will continue to build off the first four weeks of season?
Through the first month of the season, a few players have stood out in impressive fashion for the Chargers. Most notably, guys like J.K. Dobbins, Quentin Johnston, Daiyan Henley, and Kristian Fulton have been the most surprising standouts.
They have all shown vast improvements from last season, which has helped the team be more competitive than some may have thought they would be. Coach Harbaugh will need more of the same from these guys if the team wants to make a run at the playoffs.