Chargers' Moves on Defense Make Them an AFC Favorite

How do you keep a stud quarterback off the field? With a steady running game and the ability to convert on 3rd down. A year ago, the Chargers made that task too easy for opponents. Their defense finished 28th in rushing yards per attempt, 30th in rushing yards per game, and dead last in 3rd-down conversion %. That made enough of a difference to keep Justin Herbert (already one of the best quarterbacks in the game) and L.A.’s 5th-ranked scoring offense out of the playoffs.

So Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco came out swinging this offseason and addressed these issues in a big way. He signed former Rams defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day to improve their horrendous run defense. According to Pro Football Focus, Joseph-Day has had a higher rating against the run in each of his 3 seasons than any interior defensive lineman on the Chargers’ roster last year:

Telesco’s biggest move was to send a 2022 2nd-round pick and a 2023 6th-round pick to the Bears for Khalil Mack, which is a trade you make any day of the week if you’re in win-now mode. Mack has been very good against the run throughout his career, which likely factored into Telesco’s decision to acquire him:

However, the Chargers know what division they play in and what it will take to win in an AFC loaded with great quarterbacks. They’ll need a defense spearheaded by a formidable pass rush, which is the main reason Telesco targeted Mack:

Combining Mack with Joey Bosa creates arguably the best edge-rushing tandem in the league. And while Mack’s presence should help take some attention off of Bosa, it will also give Brandon Staley more ways to attack the quarterback.

For instance, while Mack and Bosa both operate predominantly off the edge, Staley can align them to the same side in certain obvious-passing situations. This wouldn’t be too different from the way the Rams were sometimes able to pair Aaron Donald and Von Miller this postseason on their way to a Lombardi Trophy:

Mack has operated pretty comfortably throughout his career when stunting inside into the heart of the offensive line, whether as the penetrator or the looper:

Getting Mack and Bosa more opportunities against less-athletic guards who are not as comfortable as tackles at handling good pass rushers will only improve the Chargers’ ability to pressure. And it will be a nightmare for opponents.

The improved pass rush will make the lives of Chargers defensive backs a bit easier as well. They’ll be able to sit on routes more frequently. They might see more route combinations with fewer receivers involved since tight ends and running backs will likely stay in more often to help the protection. Their ability to play man coverage more effectively should improve as well with the ball presumably coming out quicker. That means they won’t have to cover for as long and can be more aggressive with their receivers.

The signing of cornerback J.C. Jackson will also certainly help L.A.’s effectiveness in coverage. Jackson is one of the best man-coverage cornerbacks in the game. Opposing quarterbacks had a meager 44.0 passer rating when targeting him in man coverage last season according to Pro Football Focus.

Here he is hanging out in Amari Cooper’s hip pocket:

And here he is smothering Mike Evans:

The decision to acquire Jackson is an indicator that Brandon Staley likely wants to play more man coverage in 2022. As mentioned earlier, the Chargers were the worst defense in the league on 3rd down, which happens to be the most prevalent man-coverage down in the NFL. The addition of Jackson should help L.A. lock up an opponent’s best receiver on the money down and get the Chargers defense off the field more often.

I like the way Tom Telesco has been building the Chargers in recent years. He hasn’t tried to address vulnerabilities with just a player here or there. He’s been going all in. Last offseason, with the offensive line around his young star quarterback a major concern, he drafted left tackle Rashawn Slater in the first round and added multiple other starters via free agency. This year, with the defense the major weakness, he addressed it with multiple aggressive moves that added some of the best talent in the game. The Chargers now have just about everything they need to compete for a Super Bowl in 2022. And the offseason is still young.