The Los Angeles Chargers knew that they needed to make some changes to help their star quarterback Justin Herbert get more from this team and they have made significant upgrades to the offense, especially the line, to help their QB get a bit more time.

In a division packed with stellar talent, the Chargers defense also needed work and they have really improved on that side of the game too, Khalil Mack joining being a statement signing, and this now looks one of the most potent and well-balanced of all the teams in the NFL.

The Chargers have been rattling around the AFC West close to the Chiefs, but not quite matching them. Maybe this is the season they will finally do that.

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Los Angeles Chargers Factfile

• Owner – Dean Spanos
• Stadium – SoFi Stadium
• Capacity – 70,000
• Super Bowl Wins – 0
• Conference Champions – 1 (1994)
• Divisional Champions – 15 (AFL Western 1960, 1961, 1963-1965, AFC West 1979-1981, 1992, 1994, 2004, 2006-2009)
• NFL Legends – Dan Fouts (QB), LaDainan Tomlinson (RB), Junior Seau (LB), Lance Alworth (WR), Ron Mix (T), Kellen Winslow (TE), Charlie Joiner (WR), Fred Dean (DE), Sid Gillman (Coach), Bobby Beathard (GM), Philip Rivers (QB), Antonio Gates (TE), Shawn Merriman (LB), Vincent Jackson (WR), Luis Castillo (DT).
• Head Coach – Brandon Staley
• Offensive Coordinator – Joe Lombardi
• Defensive Coordinator – Renaldo Hill
• Special Teams Coordinator – Ryan Ficken

2021/22 Regular Season Record

• Division – AFC West
• Record (W-L-T) – 9-8
• Position – 3rd
• TD Scored – 58
• TD Conceded – 49
• Passing Yards (TD) – 4800 (38)
• Rushing Yards (TD) – 1834 (18)
• Turnovers – +3 (21-18)
• Defensive Interceptions – 11
• Fumbles Forced (Recovered) – 19 (10)
• Offensive Interceptions – 15
• Fumbles Made (Recovered) – 10 (7)
• Offense Rankings – 9^th
• Defense Ranking – 29^th 
• Special Teams Ranking – 32^nd

2022 Off-Season Roster Changes

Class Of 2022 Draft Picks

• Round 1 – Zion Johnson (OL)
• Round 2 – None
• Round 3 – JT Woods (S)
• Round 4 – Isaiah Spiller (RB)
• Round 5 – Otito Ogbonnia (DT)
• Round 6 – Jamaree Salyer (G), Ja’Sir Taylor (CB)
• Round 7 – Deane Leonard (CB), Zander Horvath (FB)

Key Players Leaving Los Angeles Chargers (FA & Trades)

• Bryan Bulaga (T) – Free Agent
• Chris Harris Jr (CB) – Free Agent
• Linval Joseph (DL) – Free Agent
• Jared Cook (TE) – Free Agent
• Oday Aboushi (G) – Free Agent
• Kyle Fackrell (EDGE) – Free Agent (joined Las Vegas Raiders)
• Ryan Smith (CB) – Free Agency
• Uchenna Nwosu (EDGE) – Free Agent (joined Seattle Seahawks)
• Andre Roberts (WR) – Free Agent (joined Carolina Panthers)
• Matt Overton (S) – Free Agent
• Michael Schofield (G) – Free Agent
• Senio Kelemete (G) – Free Agent
• Stephen Anderson (TE) – Free Agent (joined Arizona Cardinals)
• Trey Marshall (S) – Free Agent
• Davontae Harris (CB) – Free Agent
• Justin Jones (DL) – Free Agent (joined Chicago Bears)
• Ty Long (P) – Free Agent
• Kyzir White (LB) – Free Agent (joined Philadelphia Eagles)
• Essang Bassey (CB) – Free Agent (joined Denver Broncos)
• Scott Quessenberry (G) – Free Agent (joined Houston Texans)
• Justin Jackson (RB) – Free Agent

Key Players Joining Los Angeles Chargers (FA & Trades)

• Khalil Mack (EDGE) – Traded (from Chicago Bears)
• Gerald Everett (TE) – Free Agent (from Seattle Seahawks)
• Bryce Callahan (CB) – Free Agent (from Denver Broncos)
• Kyle Van Noy (EDGE) – Free Agent (from New England Patriots)
• Morgan Fox (DL) – Free Agent (from Carolina Panthers)
• J.C.Jackson (CB) – Free Agent (from New England Patriots)
• Austin Johnson (DL) – Free Agent (from New York Giants)
• Josh Harris (LS) – Free Agent (from Atlanta Falcons)
• DeAndre Carter (WR) – Free Agent (from Washington Commanders)
• J.K.Scott (P) – Free Agent (from Jacksonville Jaguars)
• Sebastian Joseph-Day (DL) – Free Agent (from Los Angeles Rams)
• Troy Reeder (LB) – Free Agent (from Los Angeles Rams)

Key Players Re-Signed This Summer

• Andrew Brown (DL)
• Joe Reed (WR)
• Jalen Guyton (WR)
• Storm Norton (T)
• Donald Parham (TE)
• Christian Covington (DL)
• Dustin Hopkins (K)
• Chase Daniel (QB)
• Milke Williams (WR)

Los Angeles Chargers Projected Key Players 2022/23 Season

Offense

• QB – Justin Herbert, Chase Daniel, Easton Stick
• RB – Austin Ekeler, Isaiah Spiller, Joshua Kelley, Gabe Nabers (FB)
• WR – Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, Jalen Guyton, DeAndre Carter, Jason Moore, Joe Reed, Maurice Ffrench, Michael Bandy
• TE – Gerald Everett, Donald Parham Jr., Tre McKitty
• LT – Rashawn Slater, Trey Pipkins III
• LG – Matt Feiler, Ryan Hunter, Zack Bailey
• C – Corey Linsley, Will Clapp, Isaac Weaver
• RG – Zion Johnson, Brenden James
• RT – Storm Norton, Jamaree Slayer, Foster Sarell

Defense

• DE/EDGE – Sebastian Joseph-Day, Jerry Tillery, Christian Covington, Breiden Fehoko, Morgan Fox, Joe Gaziano
• DT – Austin Johnson, Otito Ogbonnia, Andrew Brown, Forrest Merrill
• OLB – Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Kyle Van Noy, Jamal Davis II, Chris Rumph II, Ty Shelby
• MLB – Kenneth Murray Jr, Drue Tranquill, Nick Niemann, Troy Reeder, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Cole Christiansen
• CB – Asante Samuel Jr, J.C.Jackson, Bryce Callahan, Michael Davis, Kemon Hall, Tevaughan Campbell
• SS – Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman, Raheem Layne II
• FS – Nasir Adderley, JT Woods, Trey Marshall

Special Teams

• KR – DeAndre Carter, Michael Bandy, Larry Rountree III
• LS – Josh Harris
• K – Dustin Hopkins
• P – JK Scott

2022/23 Season Schedule

• Preseason 1 – v Los Angeles Rams (13^th Aug)
• Preseason 2 – @ Dallas Cowboys (20^th Aug)
• Preseason 3 – v New Orleans Saints (26^th Aug)

Regular Season

• Week 1 – v Las Vegas Raiders (11^th Sep)
• Week 2 – @ Kansas City Chiefs (15^th Sep) TNF
• Week 3 – v Jacksonville Jaguars (25^th Sep)
• Week 4 – @ Houston Texans (2^nd Oct)
• Week 5 – @ Cleveland Browns (9^th Oct)
• Week 6 – v Denver Broncos (17^th Oct) MNF
• Week 7 – v Seattle Seahawks (23^rd Oct)
• Week 8 – Bye Week
• Week 9 – @ Atlanta Falcons (6^th Nov)
• Week 10 – @ San Francisco 49ers (13^th Nov)
• Week 11 – v Kansas City Chiefs (20^th Nov)
• Week 12 – @ Arizona Cardinals (27^th Nov)
• Week 13 – @ Las Vegas Raiders (4^th Dec)
• Week 14 – v Miami Dolphins (11^th Dec)
• Week 15 – v Tennessee Titans (18^th Dec)
• Week 16 – @ Indianapolis Colts (26^th Dec) MNF
• Week 17 – v Los Angeles Rams (1^st Jan)
• Week 18 – @ Denver Broncos (8^th Jan)

Games selected for Thursday Night Football (TNF), Monday Night Football (MNF) or International Series (ISL – London, ISMC – Mexico City, ISMU – Munich) are indicated as shown.

Los Angeles Chargers – Strengths

• Big improvements made to the offensive line which should free up Justin Herbert even more time when he drops back and running game should also improve as a result.
• Huge improvements made on defense in a number of areas, notably at corner and on the defensive line.
• High-scoring, talented offensive with numerous weapons that can go toe-to-toe with almost any team.

Los Angeles Chargers – Weaknesses

• On paper, the defense has had a several major upgrades, but it may take time for the team to click.
• The Chargers were the worst team on special teams last year, that has to improve.

Season Predictions & Top Betting Picks For The Los Angeles Chargers

• Regular Season Record Prediction – 11-6
• Playoffs? – Yes
• Super Bowl Winning Odds – 16/1
• Conference Champion Odds – 8/1
• Divisional Winner Odds – 12/5
• Best Player on Offense – Justin Herbert (QB)
• Best Player on Defense – Joey Bosa (OLB)
• Best Rookie – Zion Johnson (G)
• Surprise Of The Season – Kyle Van Noy will provide a very good relief presence at outside linebacker allowing the Chargers to rest either Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa.

I really like the look of what the Chargers have done in the off-season, even in a super-tough division as the AFC West, I think they have the quality now to make a real charge at winning the division and they should definitely make the playoffs. Anything less would be deemed a disappointment.

Our Favorite Pre-Season Betting Picks For The Los Angeles Chargers

The odds shown and each market for Los Angeles Chargers is taken from Bet365 Sport.  

• Tip 1 – To Win The AFC West – 12/5
• Tip 2 – AFC West Straight Forecast – 1^st Chargers, 2^nd Chiefs – 6/1
• Tip 3 – Most Regular Season Passing Touchdowns – Justin Herbert – 6/1

*All odds shown were correct at the time of writing with Bet365 Sport but are likely to have changed in the meantime and may also change further as the season progresses.