For many, winning a Super Bowl is the only way a season can be labeled as “successful”. However, not hoisting the Lombardi Trophy doesn’t mean that it’s not a successful season.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon identified what a successful campaign would look like for each of the NFL’s 32 teams. For the Chargers, Gagnon believes that consists of making the playoffs and creating an energized fanbase.
Here is what he had to say:
As they christen the new stadium they’ll be sharing with the Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Chargers will be fighting to win over as many fans as possible in 2020. A Super Bowl run would likely do the trick, but simply getting to the playoffs with an exciting and entertaining squad would probably suffice.
Maybe that means an encouraging rookie season from top-10 pick Justin Herbert or a strong bridge year from veteran Tyrod Taylor. Maybe it just means Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram III and the defense take over. Maybe it means the Chargers sneak in as a wild card while the Rams sink.
Regardless, the key is marked progress and, ideally, an edge over their L.A. competition.
The Chargers are coming off a season that resulted in a 5-11 record and last place in the AFC West after going 12-4 and making it to the AFC Divisional Round the year before that.
As they look forward to the 2020 season, not mirroring the results from 2019 is the low end goal. But this roster is built to accomplish that and more as they move into SoFi Stadium, their new stadium in Inglewood, CA.
On paper, they’re stacked from top to bottom. However, it will be a matter of getting the most from the quarterback play as Tyrod Taylor and Justin Herbert take over, ensuring the offensive line can play at a high level and most importantly, making sure key players stay healthy.
If everything goes well, the Chargers can clinch a playoff spot. Claiming the division title might be tough as they will have to dethrone the reigning Super Bowl champs. But the postseason is well within reach, and they should benefit from having an extra playoff spot added.
Building a larger fanbase might not be an easy task as they’ve struggled to do so since their move from San Diego in 2017. But it may be challenging with the uncertainty that the coronavirus has brought to the NFL, leaving there a possibility of not having fans in attendance this season.
The only way that the Bolts might be able to garner more fans is by doing what we mentioned above: have a productive season which will result in making the playoffs.