Presenting your 2016 San Diego Chargers.
Chargers win against the Cardinals 19-3 in the first home preseason game of 2016 at Qualcomm Stadium.
San Diego Chargers punter Drew Kaser (8) punts the football during a week 1 preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 27-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Kellen Clemens (10) plays during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) during a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Chargers beat the Miami Dolphins in the final home game of the 2015 season 30-14.
Chargers faced the Vikings for Preseason Game 3 on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minnesota.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) works against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
San Diego Chargers defensive back Dwight Lowery (20) sets into position during a NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, September 18, 2016 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 38-14. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
San Diego Chargers defensive back Dexter McCoil (23) pursues the ball carrier during a NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, September 18, 2016 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 38-14. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Chargers win against the Cardinals 19-3 in the first home preseason game of 2016 at Qualcomm Stadium.
San Diego Chargers safety Darrell Stuckey (25) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday, December 14, 2014. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 22-10 in Week 15. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Chargers faced the Titans for the first preseason game of 2016 on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Nissan Stadium in Tennessee
Chargers faced the Titans for the first preseason game of 2016 on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Nissan Stadium in Tennessee
Chargers faced the Titans for the first preseason game of 2016 on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Nissan Stadium in Tennessee
San Diego Chargers cornerback Adrian Phillips (31) warms up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in San Diego. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
San Diego Chargers fullback Derek Watt (34) runs during a week 1 preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 27-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Chargers lose 17-20 to the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Chargers lose 17-20 to the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Chargers win against the Cardinals 19-3 in the first home preseason game of 2016 at Qualcomm Stadium.
Chargers lose 16-28 to the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
San Diego Chargers cornerback Trevor Williams (42) drops back in pass coverage during the 2016 NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in San Diego. The 49ers won the game 31-21. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chargers practice in preparation for Week 13 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
San Diego Chargers tight end Asante Cleveland (45) warms-up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in San Diego.( (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Chris Landrum (46) celebrates with San Diego Chargers linebacker James Vaughters (45) after Landrum pressures San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) into an incomplete pass on third down, forcing a first quarter punt during the 2016 NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in San Diego. The 49ers won the game 31-21. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
San Diego Chargers long snapper Mike Windt (47) plays during a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in San Diego. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Kyle Emanuel (51) rushes the pass in action against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday November 1, 2015 at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
San Diego Chargers Denzel Perryman (52) during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29,2015 in Jacksonville, FL.
(Tom DiPace via AP )
San Diego Chargers linebacker Joshua Perry (53) runs in pursuit during a week 1 preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 27-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
The Chargers beat the Miami Dolphins in the final home game of the 2015 season 30-14.
Oakland Raiders running back Jamize Olawale (49) runs against San Diego Chargers linebacker Korey Toomer (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Chargers faced the Vikings for Preseason Game 3 on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minnesota.
San Diego Chargers center Matt Slauson (68) runs during a week 1 preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 27-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Chargers win 19-3 against the Arizona Cardinals at Qualcomm Stadium.
San Diego Chargers offensive lineman Joe Barksdale (72) pass blocks in action against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday November 1, 2015 at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Chargers faced the Vikings for Preseason Game 3 on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minnesota.
San Diego Chargers Orlando Franklin (74) in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29,2015 in Jacksonville, FL.
(Tom DiPace via AP )
San Diego Chargers offensive lineman Chris Hairston (75) pass blocks in action against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday November 1, 2015 at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
San Diego Chargers tackle D.J. Fluke (76) looks to block during an NFL game against the Miami Dolphins on December 20, 2015. The Chargers defeated the Dolphins 30-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
San Diego Chargers tackle King Dunlap (77) during the NFL regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Chargers won in overtime, 38-35. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
San Diego Chargers tackle Tyreek Burwell (78) blocks during the Chargers 2016 NFL minicamp football practice held on Tuesday, June 15, 2016 in San Diego. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
San Diego Chargers offensive lineman Kenny Wiggins (79) pass blocks in action against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday November 1, 2015 at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Chargers lose 16-19 against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium.
San Diego Chargers tight end Sean McGrath (84) warms up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in San Diego. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Chargers take on the Denver Broncos in a week 13 battle and fall short, 17-3.
San Diego Chargers rookie tight end Hunter Henry (86) gets set to go out for a pass during the 2016 NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 19-3. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chargers win 43-35 against the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Isaiah Burse (89) warms-up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Ryan Carrethers gets set on defense prior to play in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 10-3. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Darius Philon (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 17-7. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
San Diego Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget (94) chases the action during the NFL week 16 football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 26-13. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
With the 53-man roster set, it's time to announce the 2016 Chargers captains. The Bolts met prior to hitting the practice field and voted Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Brandon Mebane, Manti Te'o and Darrell Stuckey as team captains.
The honor was particularly meaningful for Te'o, who gets to wear the C for the first time in his career.
"It's real humbling and I'm very, very grateful for the opportunity," he said. "And not necessarily because I get to wear that patch on my jersey, but the fact that my teammates trust and believe in me to lead this team. I believe in myself that I'll do a great job, and the fact my teammates see that too and trust in me means a lot. That belief is what means the most."
Here is an in-depth breakdown on each captain.
OFFENSE
Philip Rivers – It's no surprise that Rivers will once again don the C as the quarterback is considered the heart and soul of the Chargers. San Diego's all-time leader in regular-season wins (92), consecutive starts (160), completions (3,462), completion percentage (64.8), touchdown passes (281), passer rating (95.5), 400-yard games (eight) and three-touchdown games (44), he is on pace to set franchise all-time marks for pass attempts, passing yards and 300-yard games.
Antonio Gates – Number 85 was named team captain for the second consecutive season. A mentor for players on both sides of the ball, the former undrafted free agent holds team records for career receptions (844), receiving yards (10,644) and touchdown catches (104). He is seven touchdown catches shy of tying Tony Gonzalez for most by a tight end in NFL history.
DEFENSE
Brandon Mebane – It didn't take long for the 10-year vet to take on a leadership position in San Diego as he became a trusted voice the moment he inked a three-year contract in March. A former Super Bowl champion, Mebane has played in 142 games with 134 starts, notching 386 tackles, 15.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Manti Te'o – Te'o appeared destined to ascend to captaincy from the day he was drafted, and his teammates voted him into the leadership position heading into his fourth year. The inside linebacker describes his leadership style as an inclusive one as he aims to ensure each of his teammates realize how vital they are to the Chargers success.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Darrell Stuckey – The former Pro Bowler was named team captain for a fifth consecutive season. A safety by trade, Stuckey is one of the top gunners in the league which is why he routinely draws double teams. He is also one of the most philanthropic Bolts as he spends much of his off time giving back to the community.
