The Los Angeles Chargers were one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL during the 2023 season. All of the bad vibes from their historic Wild Card round collapse against the Jacksonville Jaguars in last season’s playoffs seemingly carried over into the season.
The Chargers were unable to build any positive momentum during the season. Injuries played a big part as they were without an important piece of the puzzle seemingly every time they took the field.
It resulted in a 5-12 season and the firing of head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. Those moves were a long time coming as Staley, who has a defensive background, was never able to get the team’s defense going during his tenure.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Malik Nabers, 2024 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Chargers Updates
The Chargers are going to look a lot different with a new regime coming in, as Jim Harbaugh has been linked to the franchise. He would be a massive upgrade on Staley coming off a National Championship with Michigan and success in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers.
One of his first orders of business will be getting the salary cap situation under control. The Chargers are nearly $45 million over the salary cap right now. There will be cuts made and contracts restructured to help get things in order.
A position that could undergo an overhaul is wide receiver. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have cap hits north of $34 million and $32 million, respectively. They could certainly be on the chopping block and after a disastrous rookie season from Quentin Johnston, the team could look to bring in some more talent.
One player who the Chargers could have their eye on is LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers. Should Los Angeles opt to go wide receiver again in the first round, Nabers is considered the perfect fit for the team in the opinion of Trevor Sikkema of PFF.
“The Chargers just drafted a first-round receiver in Quentin Johnston last offseason, but he has struggled mightily to show he could have the caliber of a WR1 for that team. I don’t think his presence keeps the Chargers from getting a talent like Nabers, especially with a new regime that didn’t draft Johnston coming in,” wrote Sikkema.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Malik Nabers, 2024 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Chargers Updates
Nabers had a historic career with the Tigers, putting together a monster 2023 campaign as the No. 1 target for Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels. Both players could be selected near the top of the NFL Draft this year.
If the Chargers are going to move on from Allen or Williams, potentially both, they need to restock the cupboard at wide receiver. While the team could still have high hopes for Johnston, with a new regime coming in, anything could happen. He certainly won’t keep whoever comes in to call the shots from adding another playmaker to the roster.
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