The 2021 season is in the books and these last few weeks, we've checked in with a few of the team's beat writers, along with fellow team reporter Chris Hayre and yours truly, to take a look back and a look ahead for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Here's what we covered:
We conclude with the picks for the position or unit to watch in 2022.
2022 Position or Unit to Watch
Defense
"When I went back and looked through this season to come up with an answer for what happened here, the Chargers were top-five in every single statistical category offensively…however you look at it, this was one of the best offenses in football. Defensively they were [not good.] They could not get off the field on third down, a lot of that was run defense. They weren't good enough in coverage, they didn't get enough pass rush … They need talent defensively, so it needs to be a full-fledged investment on that side of the ball so [head coach] Brandon Staley's scheme can come to life and actually express itself, to use his own term … That's where the focus has to be. It's adding defensive linemen, it's adding an edge rusher, it's adding a nickel corner, it's adding safety depth … That's how this team makes the playoffs next year, it's by improving significantly on defensive and maintaining this level of offense. That's the recipe." – Daniel Popper, The Athletic
Right Tackle/Offensive Line
"The Chargers have 60% of a really good offensive line right now. At center, we know how good Corey Linsley is [and] the left side with Matt Feiler and Rashawn [Slater.] That's the base of what could be a really good offensive line. Now the right side, if they could get a couple pieces, they could be one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. I've covered the team for four years and offensive line has always been an issue until they got a lot better this year. I'm gonna say right tackle, and I think if they could get somebody to man that spot. [If they get] a right tackle who is a legit, top-line right tackle, all of a sudden, that offensive line [would be even better.] Just imagine Justin Herbert with a little more time and what he could do." – Jeff Miller, LA Times
Bolstering the Run Game
"Austin Ekeler shouldered a very heavy load for the ground game this year and [general manager] Tom Telesco mentioned that he shouldn't have to, they should be able to rotate other guys in. You kind of saw this unit growing and developing as the season went on. Justin Jackson obviously got going; we've all seen it, when he's healthy, he's capable of really being that guy to shoulder that load and really take that run game on. But I'm looking for the Chargers to find consistency there because it was very inconsistent this season. What's a quarterback's best friend? A good run game. It can open up a lot. Being able to shore up the run game - and it definitely parlays into the offensive line and production there - but being able to find that No. 2, that guy who can complement Austin can help them become more of a complete offense. We know what Justin Herbert can do, but this will help make them more well-rounded." – Hayley Elwood
Take a look at the best photos from the Chargers 2021 campaign through the lens of team photographer, Mike Nowak, manager of photography, Ty Nowell, and gameday photographer, Travis Ellison.
HANDS UP - Although wide receiver Mike Williams didn't catch this, I liked the juxtaposition of the ball hovering over his hand and the defender's hand in his grill. It's called football, but every now and then, we're reminded it's a hands game. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
FUMBLE IN THE FOURTH - Washington ended the third quarter of the season opener with a 16-13 lead over the Bolts. But that all changed quickly in the fourth quarter as linebacker Kyzir White forced a fumble on running back Antonio Gibson deep in WFT territory which three plays later, led to a Chargers touchdown. I like how you can see the varying levels of defense and a goal-line view of the ball popping out. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
W FOR HC - Week 1 was Brandon Staley's first win as a head coach in the NFL. He was so excited to hand out game balls, but the ever-conscientious quarterback Justin Herbert flipped the script and delivered a ball to Staley himself. It was a small space, but the emotion was big. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
BACK TOGETHER - SoFi Stadium finally got to play host to fans in 2021. Here's a shot which shows the perspective of being in attendance at the very first regular season home game for the Bolts at SoFi with fans. - Travis Ellison/Los Angeles Chargers
33 - No one was probably more hyped to be back at SoFi Stadium than safety Derwin James. This photo encapsulates the sheer emotion of No. 33 being extra fired up for his return to homefield action. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
ENEMY TERRITORY - Kansas City is notoriously one of the most hostile environments in the NFL and as you can see, Chiefs fans were out in full force in Week 3. I liked this shot of our captains walking out as the colors pop against the sea of red. The Super Bowl champions sign was a reminder to keep an eye on the ultimate prize. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
VICTORY - Here's an inside-look at the locker room after the victory over the Chiefs in Week 3. Wins are sweet, but wins against your largest divisional rival are even sweeter. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
IN MOTION - You achieve a look like this by keeping the shutter open and I like the stark contrast of the movement on the field set against the stillness of the fans in the stands. The lighting also makes everything look so vibrant, a benefit to shooting a night game. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
30 GOES UP - Guard Oday Aboushi gives running back Austin Ekeler an assist in celebrating this MNF touchdown. I like how this shot takes the viewer onto the field to show what a TD celebration is really like from an NFL player's (or photog's!) perspective. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
OUR WAY - Derwin James is unmistakably the heart and soul of the Chargers defense and one of the squad's leaders overall. This photo showcases his intensity leading a pregame huddle. I also like how you can see the reflection of the infinity screen in his visor. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
MIKE & JUSTIN THINGS - Here's a shot at the celebration after the 42-yard touchdown from Justin Herbert to Mike Williams which put the Bolts up 28-27 over the Cleveland Browns in Week 5. Herbert ran all the way down the field to celebrate. Crazy to think this was just the beginning of a wild fourth quarter that cracked the game open with the Chargers ultimately winning, 47-42. - Travis Ellison/Los Angeles Chargers
81 FOR SIX - Williams had a big day against Cleveland, but I love how this photo shows off the unique aspects of SoFi. If you look closely at the infinity screen, you can see the reverse angle of this shot. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
ELECTRIC- A static electricity globe is setup in the tunnel to charge players up before they are introduced to the SoFi crowd. It's usually so dark back here, but when guys touch the globes, the light from the bolts pop against their hands. Note tight end Jared Cook looking into the camera here, too. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
GET LOW - Because the player tunnel entrances were back this year, I put a camera on the ground to really get a good look at the guys walking, running, or dancing out. As Mike Williams moved forward, he missed stepping on the camera by about an inch. All for the shot, right? - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
HERBO BOMB - With :23 seconds left in the first half in Week 14, Justin Herbert launched an absolute bomb to wide receiver Jalen Guyton for a 59-yard score. The pass traveled 63.8 yards in the air and went viral - for good reason - but this angle shows just how incredible of a feat it was as Herbert was getting hit as he threw. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
ALBUM DROPPING SOON - Primetime games are exciting for lots of reasons, but as a photographer, having them at night presents a whole different canvas for shots. This was taken in the tunnel pregame. The blue lights and smoke give off a silhouette-type look almost akin to a music video.- Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
NO DICE ON 4th DOWN - Chargers and Chiefs games are always emotional, but here's an emphatic Joey Bosa after the defense stopped Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense on fourth down in primetime. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
30's GOT HOPS - Austin Ekeler is known as pound-for-pound the strongest guy on the team, but it's impressive how high he got after this touchdown celebration which gave the Bolts the lead in the fourth. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
BROTHERHOOD - Specialists are a unique group on a football team, and this photo of kicker Dustin Hopkins, long snapper Matt Overton, and punter Ty Long really showcases the bond between them. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
GO DEEP - This was another seemingly routine deep ball catch from Mike Williams. I really love the way the gold on his sleeves and pants (and the lightning bolts) shines and pops against the rest of the photo. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
LEFT IT ON THE FIELD - Though this photo marks the end of the Chargers season, it truly tells a story. The story of a team that fought, battled, and clawed their way to tie the game and bring it to overtime. Though the team didn't get the outcome they wanted, they gave it everything they had. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
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