The Chargers were considered a playoff team and potential AFC West champions going into the 2019 season, but they turned out to finish last in the division with a 5-11 record. The most notable moves the Chargers made this offseason were the extensions of Joey Bosa and Keenan Allen.
Key Additions: OL Bryan Bulaga, CB Chris Harris Jr., DL Linval Joseph, OG Trai Turner, and LB Nick Vigil
Key Departures: RB Melvin Gordon II, QB Phillip Rivers, and OT Russell Okung
As the Chargers enter a new era without longtime QB, Phillip Rivers, let’s take a look at the 2020 starters.
Offensive Starters:
- QB: Tyrod Taylor
- RB: Austin Ekeler
- WR: Keenan Allen
- WR: Mike Williams
- WR: Jalen Guyton
- TE: Hunter Henry
- LT: Sam Tevi
- LG: Dan Feeney
- C: Mike Pouncey
- RG: Trai Turner
- RT: Bryan Bulaga
Defensive/Special Team Starters:
- LDE: Joey Bosa
- DT: Justin Jones
- DT: Linval Joseph
- RDE: Melvin Ingram
- LB: Kenneth Murray Jr.
- LB: Denzel Perryman
- LB: Kyzir White
- CB: Chris Harris Jr.
- CB: Casey Hayward Jr.
- S: Rayshawn Jenkins
- S: Nasir Adderley
- K: Michael Badgley
- P: Ty Long
Strongest Position: Cornerback
The Chargers made a big move by signing Chris Harris Jr. in free agency. The three-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro has 86 passes defended and 20 interceptions over his career. He was a big piece of the Denver defense is creating a great duo with Casey Hayward Jr. Hayward has been a big piece of the secondary since he joined the Chargers in 2016, becoming a two-time Pro Bowler. Desmond King II is going to be a nice depth piece in the secondary as well.
Weakest Position: Safety
The Chargers took another big blow with Derwin James suffering a season-ending knee injury. This leaves Nasir Adderley and Rayshawn Jenkins as the starters at the safety positions. Adderley played in only four games last year as a rookie and now is at a starter role with very little NFL game experience. As for Jenkins, he was a first-year starter for the chargers in 2019. Jenkins will have to carry the load at safety this year, while Adderley develops and adjusts. The safety position is going to be rough this year with the loss of one of the best young defensive player’s in the league.
The Chargers used the No.6 overall pick on QB Justin Herbert out of Oregon. He might get a chance to play this season, depending on his development and the play of Tyrod Taylor. The defense for the Chargers will be solid, but the offense will struggle with a new QB under center.
