The Chargers are just days away from their season opener against the Dolphins
The positions are set after finalizing their 53-man roster, but the team has yet to release the official depth chart.
So let’s dive into how the offensive side of the ball could shape up heading into the 2023 season, highlighting who is likely to start and serve as depth pieces behind them.
Quarterback
Starter | Backup | Reserve | |
QB | Justin Herbert | Easton Stick |
The Chargers elected to roster two quarterbacks instead of three, as they have frequently done in the past.
Running back
Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | |
RB | Austin Ekeler | Joshua Kelley | Isaiah Spiller | Elijah Dotson |
Kelley will get most of the carries behind Ekeler to start the season. He earned every bit of the backup job, flashing when he was on the field last year and during the summer. Spiller had a great training camp and preseason, too. He will be playing more snaps as the season progresses. Dotson will likely be an inactive player on game days.
Starter | Backup | |
WR1 | Keenan Allen | Quentin Johnston |
WR2 | Mike Williams | Derius Davis |
WR3 | Josh Palmer |
Allen and Williams will be the top two receivers, while Palmer gets the majority of the snaps as the third receiver early on. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will draw up plays for Johnston to take advantage of yards-after-the-catch skills. Davis will primarily serve as the return specialist, with some gadget plays and to keep the defense honest with his speed here and there.
Tight end
Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | |
TE | Gerald Everett | Donald Parham | Tre’ McKitty | Stone Smartt |
Nothing surprising here. Everett will be the featured tight end, with primarily receiving responsibilities. Parham is another option as a receiver and should have blocking duties, as he was one of the best in that department before dealing with his respective injuries. McKitty will strictly be a blocker, but he will need to show improvement in this area after underwhelming during the summer. Smartt will be a core special teamer, but he deserves offensive snaps after proving to be the best tight end during training camp and preseason.
Offensive line
Starter | Backup | Reserve | |
LT | Rashawn Slater | Foster Sarell | |
LG | Zion Johnson | Brenden Jaimes | |
C | Corey Linsley | Will Clapp | |
RG | Jamaree Salyer | Jordan McFadden | |
RT | Trey Pipkins |
The starting five have been set in stone for quite some time, so there aren’t any changes here. Sarell will be the primary swing tackle, meaning he will slide in at the left or right tackle should an injury occur to Slater or Pipkins. McFadden is the swing guard. Clapp is the swing center. Jaimes can play all interior spots.