As we continue to inch closer to the 2023 regular season, predictions for how the year will shake up for all 32 NFL teams continue to flood the web.
The latest comes from USA Today’s Nate Davis, who predicts the Chargers to finish 7-10.
Here is why Davis is not so optimistic about L.A. heading into the upcoming season:
Glass half-full, they progressed to postseason in 2022. Glass half-empty, the past two seasons under HC Brandon Staley have concluded with unmitigated disasters, worthy of the Bolts’ tortured history. Maybe Staley’s underachieving defense, which completely collapsed in the playoff loss to Jacksonville, improves. Maybe QB Justin Herbert fully blooms into an MVP candidate under first-year OC Kellen Moore. Maybe they won’t fold under the pressure of playing six prime-time games. Yep, per usual, probably too many “maybes” for the Chargers to overcome.
The Chargers have been a team to receive a lot of hype during the preseason, equipped with plenty of talent, only to fall short of those expectations for many years now. Because of that, it’s been difficult for people to buy in, despite what their roster looks like. For Davis, it’s no different.
Los Angeles hasn’t had the best luck, whether that be due to injuries or unlucky outcomes. But this year feels different. They have a star under center, now with a play-caller that will cater to his strengths in Kellen Moore, all of his support cast returning and Quentin Johnston’s arrival.
On the other side of the ball, there are play-makers at all three levels, highlighted by Sebastian Joseph-Day, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Eric Kendricks, Derwin James, J.C. Jackson and Michael Davis, and depth at each position, which they lacked last season.
Of course, some questionable decisions from Brandon Staley cost the Bolts some games last season. But in the end, it will likely come down to the health of the team. That is why there’s no reason to believe that they can’t make a serious run this season if they can stay on the field.