AFC West Preview: Los Angeles Chargers will contend again
By Ellen Mathis
The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to unseat the Kansas City Chiefs and get back into the playoffs as they build on their successful 2018 season.
We are down to just a few days before the start of the season. Anticipation is high as we wait to see if the Kansas City Chiefs can maintain what looks to be a historic offensive run (and whether the overhauled defense can truly take a step forward). Is this the year the Chiefs finally bring the parade home? I really hope so.
But before all that, we have to conquer three division rivals in the AFC West. We’ve already previewed the Oakland Raiders, and now it’s time to look at what the Los Angeles Chargers have been doing this offseason.
The Chargers were a Super Bowl contender and frustrating rival for the Chiefs. Can they do the same (or better) in 2019?
Notable Moves
Unlike the Oakland Raiders, the Chargers did not make any flashy signings a la Antonio Brown this offseason. This is largely due to the fact that the Chargers were a very complete team last season, despite the fact that they had a number of injuries last year.
The Chargers re-signed linebacker Denzel Perryman to a two-year contract. They also brought in Tyrod Taylor in a two year deal to back up Philip Rivers. Finally, they added veteran linebacker Thomas Davis to a two-year contract.
While none of these moves are particularly flashy, I don’t think the Chargers had to be this offseason. They came off a great year and were considered by most to be one of the most complete teams last year. Having kept most of the pieces in place, the Chargers did not have to be aggressive in free agency to remain relevant.
While this isn’t necessarily a move, it is notable that star running back Melvin Gordon continues his holdout. Gordon is attempting to secure a massive extension with the Chargers or be traded. The Chargers are reportedly looking for a first round pick to trade Gordon. This is a holdout that looks to be almost certainly headed into the season. The question to be answered is whether Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson can fill the hole that Gordon will leave.