The Los Angeles Chargers came up short this season, failing to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
While many fans are ready to put 2019 to bed, it’s still only right to reflect and hand out the season awards.
Most Valuable Player: DE Joey Bosa
There wasn’t another player that was as consistent and made an impact on a weekly basis like Bosa. Bosa finished with 67 tackles, 11.5 sacks and a forced fumble this season, along with 51 quarterback pressures. Bosa earned his second trip to the Pro Bowl, finishing tied for second in the AFC in sacks while also racking up the fifth-most tackles of any defensive end in the NFL. Expect Bosa to be one of the highest-paid players at his position this offseason since the former Ohio State product has proven his worth since being drafted in 2016.
Honorable Mention: RB Austin Ekeler
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Austin Ekeler
Ekeler had one job heading into the season. That was to man the starting role while Melvin Gordon held out at the beginning of the season. Ekeler shined as the team’s No. 1 back. When Gordon came back, he was still productive, accumulating a handful of rushing and receiving yards. Ekeler lined up all over the formation, creating mismatches and making it impossible for defenders to predict what’s coming. When the ball was in his hands, he nearly always made something big happen. Ekeler, a Pro Bowl snub, ranked ninth in the NFL with 1,550 total yards from scrimmage and led the team and finished tied for eighth in the league with 11 total touchdowns.
Honorable Mention: WR Keenan Allen
Defensive Player of the Year: CB Casey Hayward
Had safety Derwin James been healthy all season, then there’s a strong chance that he would have been given this award. But in a larger sample size, Hayward made his mark week in and week out. After failing to record an interception in 2018, he managed to amass two this season. On top of that, he had eight passes defensed. Even though he finished with a career-low 32 tackles, it just goes to show how little opposing wide receivers that he covered were targeted. Hayward had a solid grade of 84.2, per Pro Football Focus.
Honorable Mention: DE Joey Bosa
Rookie of the Year: LB Drue Tranquill
General manager Tom Telesco has been notorious for finding gems on Day 3 of the draft, and he managed to hit a home-run with his fourth-round selection. Tranquill made his mark as a force in the middle of the defense, finishing with 75 tackles, four tackles for loss and a pass deflected. He was also a special teams ace, tied for fourth in the league in tackles (11). Tranquill’s future is bright and fans should be looking forward to him being the starting middle linebacker for years to come.
Honorable Mention: P Ty Long
Breakout Player of the Year: OC Scott Quessenberry
The offensive line wasn’t particularly a bright spot for the Chargers due to injuries that occurred throughout the season. But when one man (Pouncey) went down, another stepped up. Quessenberry, the 2018 fifth-round selection, made an impact early on that many may have not been expecting from him when handing him the starting duties. The former UCLA product was consistent in pass protection and in the run blocking department. Depending on what happens with Pouncey, Quessenberry could be in line to start as soon as next season.
Honorable Mention: FB Derek Watt
Biggest Disappointment: QB Philip Rivers
Coming off one of his best campaigns yet, it was expected that Rivers was going to match that during his contract year. But the veteran quarterback didn’t, finishing with 23 touchdowns to 20 interceptions and leaving many in question in regards to the future of the 38-year old. Rivers surely didn’t benefit from the injuries that occurred the offensive line, but it wouldn’t be fair to say it was all on the group. Poor decision-making and belittled arm talent was a result in a handful of the close games that the Chargers lost. Set to become a free agent, whether or not Rivers will play in the blue and gold for another season remains to be seen.
Honorable Mention: CB Desmond King
Most Underrated: WR Mike Williams
After losing Tyrell Williams to the Raiders, it benefited Williams immensely. Williams finished with 49 receptions for 1,001 yards and two touchdowns. Even though his production was down in the scoring department, we got to see his emergence as a deep threat. He finished second in the NFL with 20 yards per reception. This was all accomplished while dealing with a knee injury. The best is yet to come for the former Clemson product.
Honorable Mention: G Michael Schofield