In Week 7 the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Los Angeles Chargers in the first of their two 2023 matchups.
After a middling 6-6 start in 2022, the Chargers won four of their last five games and made the playoffs as the fifth seed in the AFC. Unfortunately, Los Angeles would blow the third-largest lead in postseason history to the Jacksonville Jaguars, losing 31-30 after jumping out to an early 27-0 lead.
The Chargers intently focused on re-signing their own players in the offseason, but saved their most notable move for Wednesday when they gave quarterback Justin Herbert a massive five-year, $262.5 million contract extension. They also managed to return right tackle Trey Pipkins, wide receiver Jalen Guyton and running back Austin Ekeler from their 2022 roster.
Their only significant free agent signing was linebacker Eric Kendricks, who was a former first-team All-Pro selection in 2019.
They will look to get big contributions out of their draft class this season, especially from first-round pick wide receiver Quentin Johnston. Linebackers Tuli Tuipulotu and Daiyan Henley are also expected to make impacts for the team’s defense as rookies.
Head coach Brandon Staley could be entering 2023 on the hot seat after each of the Chargers’ last two seasons ended in heartbreak. He has a 1-3 record against the reigning AFC West champion Chiefs and has yet to win a playoff game. Despite being touted as a bright young defensive mind, Los Angeles has ranked no higher than 20th in total defense during Staley’s tenure.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the Chargers’ top players and their outlooks heading into the 2023 NFL season: