Welcome to Part 7 of our 2022 positional recaps, a series that will run through the next few weeks and highlight all 10 Chargers position groups. We'll focus on key stats, big moments and look ahead to the 2023 season.
We're grouping outside linebackers and off-the-ball (inside) linebackers together in this recap, which means there are numerous players to get to.
Let's start on the edge, where the Bolts boasted one of the league's top duos in Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa when the season began.
The two looked lethal in training camp and in the early portion of the season, but a Week 3 groin injury sidelined Bosa for nearly the entire season. He eventually returned in Week 17 and recorded just 2.5 sacks on the season.
Mack posted 8.0 regular-season sacks, the seventh time he's hit that mark in his career. But half of Mack's sack total came when Bosa was on the field in Weeks 1 and 2, meaning opposing offenses shifted their entire protection plan Mack's way after Bosa went out.
Kyle Van Noy, initially brought in to add depth at inside linebacker, shifted outside and took on a starting role for most of the season. And while he was effective throughout the year, things clicked late as he ended the regular season on a five-game sack streak.
Second-year edge player Chris Rumph II recorded a pair of sack in 2022 as he played in 15 games in a rotational role.
Derrek Tuszka and Jeremiah Attaochu were both added midway through the season as depth players, mostly contributing on special teams.
Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley praised the leadership of Van Noy and Mack during the season.
The guys leading the way, the leaders up front — Kyle and Khalil — they're keeping everybody together," Staley said. "When we onboard these new guys, they are teaching the guys and taking it even further. I think that those guys deserve so much credit for being able to do that.
"We've adjusted our gameplans to play to the strength of the group that we have, and not ask them to do things that, maybe, we would ask some of the other guys that we started the season with," Staley added.
On the inside, Drue Tranquill and Kenneth Murray, Jr., handled nearly the entire workload at those spots.
Tranquill was anywhere and everywhere, leading the Chargers in total tackles while also recording a career high with 5.0 sacks.
He also took over relaying calls from Staley to the rest of the defense in Week 4, a sign or growth and leadership.
Murray, a former first-round pick, missed most of training camp and the preseason as he recovered from offseason surgery. But he found his groove as the season went along, teaming with Tranquill to form a strong 1-2 punch in the middle of the Bolts defense.
Chargers Defensive Coordinator Renaldo Hill spoke in mid-October about the connection that was developing between the two linebackers.
"Both of those guys have been healthy, and that's been a huge key," Hill said. "Having those guys, there's not a lot of substitution, different guys in the lineup, and I think that is giving those guys confidence. They're seeing all of the looks, and the more and more that you see looks, the better you play."
Troy Reeder, Amen Ogbongbemiga and Nick Niemann combined to play 84 defensive snaps behind Murray and Tranquill.
Take a look at the best photos from the Chargers 2022 campaign through the lens of team photographer, Mike Nowak, manager of photography, Ty Nowell, seasonal photographer, Mackenzie Hudson, and gameday photographer, Noel Vasquez.
WELCOME TO WEEK 1 - After not playing all preseason, here's a very fired up Keenan Allen celebrating with fans after a big catch in Week 1 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. This overhead angle, taken from Level 6, really gives you perspective as a fan in the stands. - Noel Vasquez/Los Angeles Chargers
FOR THE WIN - The Raiders had a chance to take the lead toward the end of the game, but a familiar face, Khalil Mack, forced a fumble on QB Derek Carr on fourth down to ice the win for his home team. Mack finished with 3.0 sacks that game, and his teammate, Drue Tranquill was doing his best Notre Dame 'Touchdown Jesus' pose after the play. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
NEW ERA, SAME MIKE - Week 2 featured the Chargers vs. Chiefs on the first-ever Thursday Night Football game on Prime Video. One thing that wasn't new? Mike Williams' crazy one-handed catches. Just look at the concentration on his face to steadily corral the ball and get his body inbounds. This touchdown reception set the record for the most-ever by a visiting player at Arrowhead Stadium. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
10 GETS BACK TO .500 - Here's Justin Herbert walking off with a win in Week 4 over the Houston Texans which got the team back to 2-2. The contrast here shows the fans peeking over the railing to get a glimpse of the Bolts' QB, but before he heads off into the dark tunnel, he acknowledges their presence and reciprocates the greeting. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
GRIT - Here's a field-level shot of Derwin James single-handedly taking down Browns RB Nick Chubb. Both players are esteemed at their respective positions so naturally, the field dirt stands no chance when they combine forces. You get a clear view of just how much dirt gets kicked up on this tackle. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
A SIGHT OF SOFI STADIUM - This remote camera was perched to give the high-angle effect of a full view of SoFi Stadium during pregame introductions. Notice the bolt overhang in the foreground which frames the shot nicely. On the field, you can see TE Gerald Everett running onto the field before the Week 6 MNF game vs. the Denver Broncos. Look up, and you'll see the forward facing shot on the Infinity Screen. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
THE ROOKIE STEPS UP - Another shot from the same Week 6 Monday Night Football game that went into overtime. What was a tough, hard-fought battle all game was finally cracked open with just under five minutes remaining after Ja'Sir Taylor made a heads up special teams play to force a muffed punt. Another rookie, Deane Leonard, recovered the ball to give possession back to the Chargers offense to set up a game-winning drive. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
HEROIC HOPKINS - Here's a close up view of kicker Dustin Hopkins' game-winning field goal in Week 6. Hopkins injured his hamstring mid-game and at one point was deemed questionable to return. He went 4-for-4 on field goals, including this game winner. Check out the pain in his face as he boots this through the uprights. - Mackenzie Hudson/Los Angeles Chargers
VIEWS - The navy uniforms add a different color-element when the team dons them once a season and paired with this gold facemask, you can see the contrast. You can also see a reflection of SoFi Stadium on the visor as the team got ready for the Week 7 game vs. Seattle. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
DICKER RISES UP - The Bolts are no strangers to changes at kicker and Cameron Dicker was the team's third of the season. Here he is being carried off the field by Derwin James and Amen Ogbongbemiga after nailing a 37-yard field goal to get the win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
REFLECTION - With no Mike Williams and no Keenan Allen, wide receiver DeAndre Carter was tasked with stepping up in a big way in Week 10. Here he is taking a moment for himself before the Sunday Night Football matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, centered in solitude surrounded by a crowded stadium. He went on to lead the receivers with four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown he scored on the team's first drive. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
DERWIN GOES UP! - Derwin James' athletic prowess was on display in Week 12 after he snatched this pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins. You can't help but notice how Derwin's uniform stands out against the Cardinals' red sideline. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
TWO SIDES TO EVERY PLAY - Here's the aftermath of Austin Ekeler scoring a touchdown with 15 seconds remaining in regulation in Week 12. Pair Ekeler's enthusiasm with Isaiah Simmons' despair and it's a reminder how every play tells two stories. The Bolts successfully made a two-point conversion after this TD to improve to 6-5 and get the team back on track. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
TOE TAPPIN' - As good as Mike Williams' catches are, so too is his ability to always get his feet inbounds to complete the play. Here's another example on a touchdown in Week 14 vs. the Dolphins. No. 81 came alive that night catching all six passes thrown his way for 116 yards and a score, helping his team get the W in primetime and start their push for the postseason. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
FULLY LOADED FIRST DOWN - Through his three years in the league, Justin Herbert has kept it pretty cool, calm, and collected on the field. That changed for a moment in Week 14 when the QB ran for a first down on 3rd-and-8 with just over five minutes to play. He then stood up and gave the definitive first down motion. The play made Chargers fans harken back to when Philip Rivers did a similar celebration in the playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens showing even QBs can get in on the fun every once in a while. - Noel Vasquez/Los Angeles Chargers
A SPIKE to 7 WINS - After the 23-17 victory over Miami, Herbert was given a game ball by the Sunday Night Football crew. Here's a peek into the locker room as No. 10 emphatically spiked the ball in celebration of the victory and gave us another glimpse at the emotions that come with wins, especially, wins that mean more in mid-December. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
SMOKE & SHADOWS - The tunnel is always a great place to shoot given the fact that we add a lot of different elements for pregame introductions. Here we have Mike Williams, in the royal blue uniform, standing in front of the fan with smoke permeating throughout the shot. The colors contrast well despite this being an afternoon game. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
WHO ELSE? MIKE WILLIAMS - The Week 15 Titans game was another hard-fought battle. After Tennessee tied the game with :48 seconds remaining, Justin Herbert, on the run, connected with Mike Williams - of course - for a gain of 35. Here's No. 81 in the process of going to the ground towards the end of the play. He's merely levitating above the field turf at SoFi Stadium. Three plays later, Cameron Dicker kicked the Bolts to another win and an 8-6 record. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
A CLINCH FOR CHRISTMAS - After being 6-6 at one point during the season, the Chargers rallied and had an opportunity to clinch a postseason berth in Week 16 vs. the Colts. Clinched they did after a dominating 20-3 performance. The game came a day after Christmas giving the team the best gift they could ask for. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
LOV3 FOR DAMAR - Week 18 was a reminder that life is bigger than football after what happened to Buffalo's Damar Hamlin the previous Monday night. After kickoff, Derwin James and Russell Wilson, two players and team captains who don No. 3, the same number Hamlin wears, met in the middle of the field to express support and love for the Bills safety. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
PALMER GOES A MILE HIGH - Just look at the hops from Joshua Palmer as he hauled in a two-point conversion in Week 18's game vs. the Broncos. We see guys leap up all the time, but it's always amazing when you see how a photo can capture just how high up they get in the moment. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
WELCOME TO THE WILD CARD - The Chargers were back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018 as they went to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars. Here's the pregame setup as Sebastian Joseph-Day's hands mimic the fireworks on display. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Notable Number
Tranquill put together the best season of his career in 2022. According to Pro Football Focus, he was second among all linebackers with at least 50 pass rushes with a pass-rush productivity percentage of 13.5. He also shined in coverage, too, and had the ninth-best coverage grade at 75.4 among linebackers who were in coverage for at least 500 snaps this past season.
Memorable Moment
We're going all the way back to Week 1 for this one.
The Bolts were up 24-19 over the Raiders as the final minutes of the fourth quarter ticked away.
Bosa and Mack turned up the heat on Derek Carr to seal the deal.
On third-and-3 from the Raiders 40-yard line, Bosa sacked Carr and forced a fumble that Las Vegas recovered.
That brought up fourth-and-8, and it was Mack's turn to shine and he also had a strip-sack on Carr to effectively end the game.
Bosa and Mack showed the potential they had together in the Chargers season opener. Unfortunately, they weren't on the field together much after Week 1.
Regular-Season Statistics
Drue Tranquill
Recorded 146 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, eight QB hits, 5.0 sacks, four passes defended, one forced fumble and one interception; appeared in all 17 games (16 starts) and played a career-high 978 defensive snaps (93.41 percent).
Khalil Mack
Recorded 50 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, 8.0 sacks, two passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries; started all 17 games and played 861 defensive snaps (82.23 percent).
Kyle Van Noy
Recorded 46 total tackles, nine QB hits, eight tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, three passes defended, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble; appeared in all 17 games (13 starts) and played 734 defensive snaps (70.11 percent).
Kenneth Murray Jr.
Recorded 76 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four QB hits, three passes defended, one interception and 1.0 sack; appeared in all 17 games (16 starts) and played 719 defensive snaps (68.67 percent).
Chris Rumph II
Recorded 15 total tackles, six QB hits, 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss and one pass defended; appeared in 15 games and played 301 defensive snaps (28.75 percent).
Joey Bosa
Recorded 10 total tackles, six QB hits, three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble; appeared in five games (four starts) and played 165 defensive snaps (15.76 percent).
Derrek Tuszka
Recorded 14 total tackles; appeared in 14 games and played 107 defensive snaps (10.22 percent).
Troy Reeder
Recorded 11 total tackles, one pass defended and one forced fumble; appeared in all 17 games and played 62 defensive snaps (5.92 percent).
Amen Ogbongbemiga
Recorded six total tackles; appeared in all 17 games and played 14 defensive snaps (1.34 percent).
Jeremiah Attaochu
Appeared in two games and played 13 defensive snaps (1.24 percent).
Nick Niemann
Recorded three total tackles; appeared in all 17 games and played eight defensive snaps (.76 percent).
Take a look back at some of the best Chargers photos in monochrome from the 2022 season
2 questions for 2023
1. What does the edge group look like?
When healthy, this Mack and Bosa showed they still have plenty of juice to create havoc. But Mack will be 32 years old when the 2023 season begins, and Bosa will be 28, as neither player is getting younger.
The Bolts are likely hoping the two can play a full season together and reach the potential and promise that wasn't reached in 2022 due to injury.
Behind them, there could be some movement.
Van Noy will be a free agent and while Rumph showed flashes in his second season, perhaps the Chargers keep replenishing their edge depth with a draft pick on Day 1 or 2.
2. Does Tranquill return to the Bolts?
Tranquill might be the biggest name on the 2022 roster who is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason.
He grew in multiple ways in 2022, whether that was vocally leading pregame speeches or making plays on the field all season long.
But it's always worth remembering that the NFL has a business side, too, and that free agents aren't guaranteed to return to the original teams.
Murray will occupy one of the two starting inside linebacker spots in 2023. If Tranquill doesn't return and start alongside him, the Bolts will be looking to replace tons of production.
Bolt Up for 2023!
Secure your 2023 Season Ticket Memberships today! Click here to learn more.
