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Assessing the Chargers offensive needs before free agency

Free agency starts next Monday, so how is the Chargers offense looking heading into it? Let's take a look.

As the NFL is a week away from free agency starting, it is time to look at the Los Angeles Chargers’ offense. They need help in some areas but as strong in others, like quarterback.

The Chargers offense will look different in 2023 due to the addition of new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. He will look to bring in different kinds of free agents to help his offensive system while also helping with the continued development of their young quarterback.

Quarterback: Great.

Justin Herbert is the starting quarterback, so the Chargers are sitting pretty right off the bat. Now the rest of the quarterback group is interesting.

Chase Daniel is a free agent and has been a serviceable backup. He is a veteran in the league and was brought in to help Herbert learn the Joe Lombardi playbook. It will be interesting to see if he returns with Moore coming in as the new OC. Watch for Cooper Rush to be added.

Easton Stick was a former fifth-round draft pick that was believed to be a developmental quarterback but nothing further. At one point, it looked like a Taysom Hill roll was in his future, but the Chargers never executed it. To be honest, would you want to take Herbert off the field?

Running back: Needs help.

Austin Ekeler continued his high production on the field for the Chargers, as he had over 1,600 total yards and scored 18 touchdowns in 2022. In the last two seasons, Ekeler has scored 38 touchdowns. His future is interesting because he has one more year left on his deal and is the 11th best-paid running back.

Will he want a new deal before the season starts? That is something to monitor.

Behind Ekeler is a lot of question marks. Joshua Kelley took charge as the second running back at one point, but he sustained an injury and couldn’t rebound. He only had 287 rushing yards, so it was another subpar season.

 The addition of Moore may be a blessing for second-year running back Isaiah Spiller, who had minimal action last season, but there is talent. At Texas A&M, he was a workhorse, so a change in coaching could help bring out the best in him.

Larry Rountree was a sixth-round draft pick that either hasn’t had the right opportunity or hasn’t taken advantage of the moment.

Wide receiver: All right…

The receiver spot is tricky because the team does have a solid trio in Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Joshua Palmer. All three missed time due to injury last season. Allen missed seven games with a hamstring, Williams missed four games due to an ankle, and Palmer missed just one.

The trio missed games at different points of the season, so they were only on the field for a limited amount of snaps.

Allen is one of the best route runners in the NFL, Williams is one of the best deep ball threats, and Palmer is a combo of both. What this receiving group is missing is speed. They don’t have a burner that could change the dynamic of the team.

It will be interesting to see how the Chargers add speed to the group, whether it is the draft or free agency. The draft seems more likely because of how many fast weapons are coming out of college.

Tight end: Needs help.

This group hasn’t been the same since Antonio Gates, and Hunter Henry took the field for them years ago. Now Gerald Everett had a good first season for the Chargers catching 58 passes for 555 yards and scoring four touchdowns.

He also had a strong playoff game against the Jaguars, but he might be a cap casualty because the team could save about $5.5 million if they cut him.

Behind Everett, there isn’t much at the position. There was once a lot of promise from Donald Parham, but injuries have slowed down his progress, and he is set to hit free agency.

Tre’ McKitty is a blocking tight end that hasn’t done much in the passing game. The team hasn’t had much production from him through the air, so keep an eye on maybe the team trying to get him a little more involved next season.

This is a strong tight-end class, so the Chargers may be able to find a difference-maker in the draft.

Offensive line: needs help.

The offensive line is always a work in progress, no matter how good it happens to be on paper. When healthy, the Chargers have an above-average offensive line.

They will have a returning Rashawn Slater to anchor their left tackle position, Corey Linsley at center, Zion Johnson at right guard, but there are question marks at the other two starting spots.

The team could cut left guard Matt Feiler and save some cap space, while there is the question of whether the team will re-sign right tackle Trey Pipkins. He showed how much he has grown since being drafted in the third round in 2019. He was a developmental pick and has grown into a serviceable starter.

The Chargers might have had a draft day steal last season in the sixth round in Jamaree Salyer out of Georgia. He started in place for an injured Slater and showed out as a potential star offensive lineman. Both Telesco and Staley have said he has earned a starting position whether it is left guard or right tackle will be answered after the draft most likely.   

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