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Here are some of the best pictures from the Chargers’ win over the Rams.
The Chargers took care of business in their preseason opener, defeating the Rams by the score of 34-17.
To relive some of the action, here are the top photos taken at SoFi Stadium on Saturday.
While most starters won’t play in the preseason, there are still Chargers players to watch on Saturday against the Rams.
We’re just two days out from the Chargers’ 2023 preseason debut against the Rams at SoFi.
While several high-profile starters won’t play considering how Brandon Staley normally operates in the preseason, there are still plenty of storylines and players to follow on Saturday.
Here’s a look at all 27 newcomers on the Chargers’ roster right now heading into training camp.
The Chargers return most of their key players from last season as they look to make a deeper run after suffering defeat to the Jaguars in the Wild Card round.
However, they still made some acquisitions via free agency, the draft, and the undrafted free agency pool to create a stronger core.
As it stands, Los Angeles currently has 89 players under contract. And teams are allowed to carry up to 90 players during the offseason.
Here’s a look at all 27 newcomers on the Chargers’ roster right now heading into training camp.
It was a magical 2022 season for the TCU Horned Frogs but can they build upon that in 2023?
It was a magical 2022 season for the TCU Horned Frogs.
Legendary coach Gary Patterson steps down, and in comes Sonny Dykes. TCU goes 12-0 in the regular season, becoming the first Big 12 team since the 2016 Oklahoma Sooners to go 9-0 in conference play.
The Horned Frogs then went on to win the conference’s first College Football Playoff game, beating blue-blood Michigan in the process.
This year they are replacing a lot of talent. They rank 118th in returning production per ESPN (ESPN+).
The offense that finished 27th a year ago is only returning 33% of its production, which ranks next to last in the country.
They have to replace Heisman finalist Max Duggan, their top two running backs Kendre Miller and Emari Demercado, and their top three receivers Quentin Johnston, Taye Barber, and Derius Davis. Additionally, former four-star wide receiver transferred to SMU.
In comes Chandler Morris, who won the starting job last year before being injured in the first game of the season.
Morris brings dual-threat potential and was really thought of as the better passer between him and Duggan. Can he replicate the work Magic Max did a year ago?
At running back, the Horned Frogs add Alabama Crimson Tide transfer Trey Sanders. Sanders only carried the ball 116 times for 528 yards and four touchdowns over three seasons with the Tide. A product of IMG Academy, Sanders was once the No. 1 running back in the 247Sports composite, the No. 6 player overall, and a five-star prospect in the nation. The talent is there to be a dynamic player for the Horned Frogs.
At wide receiver they bring in Oklahoma State Cowboys transfer John Paul Richardson and Alabama transfer Jojo Earle. Richardson caught 49 balls for 503 yards and four touchdowns for the Cowboys in 2022 and moves into a better passing attack than what he had with Oklahoma State. Last year with Alabama, Earle had 12 receptions for 155 yards and two scores.
The Horned Frogs will be replacing offensive coordinator Garrett Riley with Kendal Briles. A different system, but still expected to put up big numbers offensively.
Defensively they return 71% of their production from a season ago. On a defense that ranked 95th last year. Like the Oklahoma Sooners, they’re hoping their experience will help them grow as a defense.
The Horned Frogs return five of their top six players in tackles last season, including starting linebackers Johnny Hodges and Jamoi Hodge. They return three of their top five in sacks. However, they lost Dylan Horton and Dee Winters, who combined for 18 sacks a year ago.
It will be interesting to see how the Horned Frogs retool from a year ago. Dykes said he felt their skilled position players are better this year than last year. That could just be coach speak. It’s hard to lose a player like Quentin Johnston and be better. He was a dynamic player that could make plays at ever level of the passing game.
The thing that will be difficult to replicate is the success they had in close games. They went 4-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less, including wins over Michigan, Baylor, Texas, and Kansas.
Only time will tell. Ultimately, this could be a weird game for Oklahoma. Coming off what should be a hard-fought battle in Provo, Utah. Now, you come home on a short week and play at 11:00 am CT on Black Friday.
Still, I like the Sooners until I see how TCU responds from last season.
Score Prediction: 41-30 Oklahoma
Predicted Record: 10-2
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Which Chargers acquisitions are poised to make the biggest impact in 2023?
The Chargers stayed fairly quiet this offseason, signing just three external free agents and holding on to each of their seven original draft picks.
Of those 10, which ones are poised to have the biggest impact on the 2023 squad?
The Chargers filled out the quarterback room with their final selection of Max Duggan.
The 2023 season is just a month away, and with weeks of dead time during the quietest part of the NFL offseason, Chargers Wire is endeavoring to document each of Los Angeles’ players before the start of the team’s training camp.
After putting together a polished resume at TCU, including guiding them to the national title game in 2022, the Chargers drafted Max Duggan in the seventh round of this year’s draft.
The runner-up for last year’s Heisman Trophy, Duggan passed for 3,698 yards and 32 touchdowns in his senior season.
Los Angeles has carried three quarterbacks on the active roster in eight of the ten seasons that Tom Telesco has been the general manager, which is why the Duggan is likely to make the 53-man roster.
Easton Stick will be the backup and while he isn’t going to push him for the spot, Duggan should add value as a scout team quarterback.
Contract (2023):
Contract Value: $3,926,220 ($981,555 APY)
Fully Guaranteed Money: $86,220
Acquired: The Chargers drafted Duggan in the seventh round of this year’s draft (No. 239 overall).
Quote: Telesco on Duggan:
“He’s tall, strong, physical, and fast, which typically aren’t the first four traits you would say about a quarterback. He has played at a high level and has good arm strength. He has a grittiness and toughness that is hard to find.”
Highlight:
MAX DUGGAN ARE YOU SERIOUS?
TCU with ANOTHER touchdown to take a commanding 20-3 lead in the first half 🐸 pic.twitter.com/ObkYQhsQYW
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2022
Set to wear the No. 1 jersey for the Chargers in 2023, Quentin Johnston is sure to be an asset in Los Angeles’ offense
The 2023 season is just a month away, and with weeks of dead time during the quietest part of the NFL offseason, Chargers Wire is endeavoring to document each of Los Angeles’ players before the start of the team’s training camp.
One of the biggest needs for the Chargers entering the draft was speed at the wide receiver position. They accomplished that from the get-go in the first round with Quentin Johnston.
Johnston should provide a spark to Los Angeles’ offense early in the 2023 season as he can stretch the field, has the size to stack defensive backs and can outpace defenders in the open field with explosiveness, wiggle and strength.
Johnston needs to refine his route running and clean up some drop issues he dealt with in college, but having the mentorship of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Josh Palmer should aid that.
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is going to design looks for Justin Herbert to get Johnston the ball in space and pick up yardage, and he should see some action down the field and in the red zone with his big frame to pull down passes.
Contract (2023): $750,000 base salary, $1,829,779 prorated bonus, $2,579,779 cap hit.
Acquired: Johnston was selected by the Chargers with the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Quote: On playing with QB Justin Herbert:
“Great quarterback. I saw the call pop up and I’m like, ‘OK, that’s a great quarterback to be playing under.’ I shouldn’t have any problem coming in early and adjusting, soaking up as much stuff as I can from him as far as just football in general. I feel like I need to come in, as a young guy, as a sponge, taking in as much information as I need to. Then, eventually, clicking with the quarterback and gaining that trust from him.”
Highlight:
TCU WR Quentin Johnston (6-4, 215) clocks 21.0 mph. #ReelSpeed pic.twitter.com/XYSkvXgwUC
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) January 1, 2023
Projecting what the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback room will look like in the 2023 season.
Over the next couple of weeks ahead of training camp, I will be breaking down the depth chart for each Chargers position.
First, I project what the quarterback room will look like heading into the 2023 season.
Max Duggan had nothing but good things to say about Derius Davis.
The Chargers loved what they saw out of the TCU Horned Frogs offense last season, and drafted their quarterback Max Duggan and two of his receivers, Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis.
The team rose to prominence as a gritty Big 12 contender that made the College Football Playoff and national championship game in a Cinderella story that fans won’t forget any time soon.
For his part, Duggan seemed thrilled to reunite with his college teammates in Los Angeles during his comments to the media after practice at the Chargers’ rookie minicamp.
Though Johnston was a known commodity by many fans who follow the draft, his counterpart Davis flew under the radar a bit during the scouting process, but Duggan made it clear that he helped make the Horned Frogs’ offense click.
“D.D. was a huge threat for us [at TCU], whether it was in special teams, punt return, kick return,” Duggan explained. “Then, obviously, he was a big threat for us as a receiver, too. He can do a lot of things, obviously. His speed is what he’s known for, but he’s savvy. He knows how to run routes. He knows how to set people up with leverage. He’s a great worker and he’s going to be a good one.”
While he won’t be much of a contributor on offense early on, Davis is the favorite to be the return man, as he was arguably the best in college football in this department.
In his collegiate career, Davis returned five punts for a touchdown in just 44 attempts. He averaged 15.0 yards a return. Davis also has experience in kickoff returns, as he had one touchdown in that department and averaged 29.6 yards a return in 2021.
The Los Angeles Horned Frogs. The TCU Chargers. Call them what you want.
The Los Angeles Horned Frogs. The TCU Chargers. Call them what you want.
The three players that L.A. drafted from the collegiate program took the field for the first time as professionals as the Bolts held their rookie minicamp this past week.
Wide receivers Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis caught passes from their college teammate, quarterback Max Duggan, who is set to compete with Easton Stick for the backup spot behind Justin Herbert.
“It was fun. I’m excited to be here,” Duggan said. “It’s a good opportunity. There are great people around here, it’s a great organization. Obviously, I have some familiarity with Q [WR Quentin Johnston] and D.D. [WR Derius Davis] coming here. It was fun.”
Johnston, the team’s first-round pick, got his reps on the outside. He was selected to bring an explosive element to stretch the field vertically and pick up yards after the catch.
“Almost feels identical,” Johnston said. I go out there and see the same guy lined up next to me and the same guy in the backfield; it feels like we’re back in Fort Worth again.”
Most of Davis’ work came in the slot. While he primarily participated in offensive drills, Davis is expected to contribute on special teams as the team’s return specialist after he had five punt return touchdowns and one kickoff return for a score during his college career.
“Max, he’s been my quarterback ever since he got to TCU,” Duggan said. “It was just great to get back out there, to run routes with him. We know we already have a connection, so the timing was really on. To have Q [Johnston] out there working beside me — we were kind of winded, so we were out there joking about it. It was good to be out there with those guys.”
