Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart
- AFC West
- Stadium
- SoFi Stadium
- Head Coach
- Anthony Lynn
- Offensive Coordinator
- Shane Steichen
- Defensive Coordinator
- Gus Bradley
- Special Teams Coach
- George Stewart
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Although Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry is looking for a long-term deal, he's also fine with playing the 2020 season under the franchise tag. The deadline for the two sides to work out a long-term extension is July 15. Henry has made no mention of a potential holdout this summer. The 25-year-old has struggled with injuries in his four seasons and played in only 12 games in 2019, but he had a career-high 55 catches for 652 yards and five touchdowns and was still a top-10 fantasy tight end at season's end. Even with Philip Rivers out of town and either quarterback Tyrod Taylor or rookie first-rounder Justin Herbert at the helm, Henry will be a top-10 fantasy tight end target on draft day.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor is expected to be the team's Week 1 starter in 2020, according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper. The Bolts took Oregon QB Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick in last month's draft, but the Chargers remain high on Taylor, especially since head coach Anthony Lynn has previous experience with Taylor as his signal-caller in Buffalo. The lack of on-field work this spring due to COVID-19 isn't helping Herbert's cause to start right off the bat in his rookie season, either. We could see Herbert on the sidelines much longer than expected in 2020, which is great news for Taylor's undervalued stock as a QB2 with upside in this stacked Chargers offense.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said in an interview with CBS Sports Radio that the team "absolutely" considered signing quarterback Cam Newton after he was released by the Panthers, saying, "We did take a look at that." But instead the Bolts stuck with Tyrod Taylor and second-year backup Easton Stick before drafting Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick in last month's draft. Lynn said he feels "really good about the quarterback room that I have." Newton, 31, missed 14 games last year due to a foot injury that required surgery, and a shoulder injury the prior season has hurt his stock on the open market, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic which has prevented teams from looking at him with their medical personnel. Newton is bound for a backup gig in 2020, but he might wait until later this summer to find a home.
Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey (neck) said he has been cleared to play by the doctors that performed his surgery. "I feel great," Pouncey said. The 30-year-old played in just five games last season because of his neck injury, but it looks like he'll be healthy and ready to go for training camp this summer. Pouncey spent the first seven years of his career with the Dolphins before coming over to the Bolts in 2018. Having the four-time Pro Bowler healthy for the first season without Philip Rivers will be very important for this offensive line. He'll be snapping the pigskin to either Tyrod Taylor or rookie first-rounder Justin Herbert in 2020.
The Los Angeles Chargers knew about quarterback Justin Herbert's athleticism and his intelligence when they drafted him at No. 6 overall this year, but quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton said he learned how important football is to the former Oregon product during the team's rookie minicamp. Herbert wants to become more at the next level and wants to "be the best QB I can be." Hamilton wants Herbert to make a mental checklist when he looks at opposing defenses heading into his rookie season so that he can become better at pre-snap reads. The Bolts took Herbert to be their franchise QB now that Philip Rivers is gone, but he may sit and learn behind Tyrod Taylor to begin the 2020 season. Herbert will be mighty attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues, but not so much in redraft leagues this fall.