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 2020 to bed, it’s still only right to reflect and hand out the season awards.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Justin Herbert
Had the Chargers’ team doctor not accidentally punctured QB Tyrod Taylor’s lung in Week 2, who knows if we would have been able to see all of the greatness unfold. The accident, however, led to Los Angeles finding their quarterback of the future. In 15 games, Herbert shined, completing 66.6% of his passes for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions. The 22-year-old set rookie records in touchdowns (36), passing touchdowns (31), completions (396), multi-passing touchdown games (10), games with 300 yards passing (eight), and three-passing touchdown games (six). He fell just 38 yards shy of passing Andrew Luck’s rookie record of 4,374 yards passing.
Honorable Mention: WR Keenan Allen
Defensive Player of the Year: EDGE Joey Bosa
After becoming the highest paid edge defender in the NFL, Bosa showed why he was worth every single penny. Despite missing four games due to various injuries, he ended his 2020 campaign with 39 tackles (29 solo), 7.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. Bosa was a major factor of the passing game, as he logged 41 quarterback pressures and 27 hits. He also came up clutch on multiple occasions against the run. The outcome was him being named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl.
Honorable Mention: CB Michael Davis
Breakout Player of the Year: CB Michael Davis
After originally signing with Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Davis has shown that he is capable as a starting cornerback in the NFL. The former BYU steadily contributed the past three seasons outside of Casey Hayward, but he really came into his in 2020. He was on the field for 92% of the team’s defensive snaps, logging 64 tackles, 14 passes defensed and interceptions. He took out some of the league’s best wide receivers and came up with big plays in critical situations.
Honorable Mention: WR Tyron Johnson
Biggest Disappointment: CB Casey Hayward
Hayward was touted as one the Chargers’ best defenders heading into the season after consistently performing at a high level the past few seasons. However, Hayward wasn’t one that was able to be relied on every Sunday. This past season, Hayward allowed 36 catches on 75 targets for 610 yards (16.9 yards per reception). A reason for the decline in his play could be the various lower body injuries he sustained throughout the year. But regardless, the production was not there and now he faces potentially being cut this offseason.
Honorable Mention: OG Trai Turner & OT Bryan Bulaga
Most Underrated: NT Linval Joseph
The Chargers signed Joseph last offseason to replace Brandon Mebane as the clog of the defense. Playing 725 snaps this past season, which was nine shy of a career-high, Joseph not only contributed as someone who commanded double teams, but he made high effort plays against the pass and run. Moving like someone lighter than 6-foot-4 and 329 pounds, Joseph finished with 62 tackles, 12 quarterback pressures, three tackles for loss and two QB hits. No matter how the game was going, the 32-year old was always around the football.
Honorable Mention: S Rayshawn Jenkins