Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The NFL is at the quarter mark, so this is a good time to reflect on the Chargers’ first four games and hand out some awards.
The Chargers were off this week, getting some rest before they endure a 13-game stretch. Players used the time to get much-needed rest and the coaching staff did some evaluating as they identified what they needed to improve on for the remainder of the season.
With that, let’s look back at the first four games of the season and give out some awards.
Handing out awards to the Chargers players who stood out in the 2022 regular season.
The Chargers finished 10-7 and lost their first playoff game since 2018 in a season where they faced many injuries on both sides of the ball.
While many fans are ready to put this season to bed and focus on the offseason, it’s only right to reflect and hand out the season awards to certain players for their efforts on the field.
Going back and highlighting the players who stood out for the Chargers in 2021.
The Chargers finished 9-8 and came up just short of the playoffs during the 2021 season.
While many fans are ready to put this season to bed, it’s still only right to reflect and hand out the season awards to certain players for their efforts on the field.
Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez hands out end of season awards from the 2020 campaign.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Taking a look at the Los Angeles Chargers’ most valuable player, biggest disappointment, most underrated, etc.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
