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Just to counter some of the doom and gloom in here. I posted this today at another site:
Reasons to have patience and optimism for the future:
- First year front office, which inherited a salary cap mess and a roster lacking depth... full rebuild will require 2-3 years
- First draft class under Hortiz looks really good so far
- Bargain free agent signings by Hortiz look really good so far... imagine what he might do with an actual budget
- First year coaching staff just 6 games in; expect improvement over time
- 3-3 despite significant injuries:
- QB Herbert missed significant time in preseason, which hindered chemistry
- QB Herbert missed part of one game and has played at less than 100% in others
- Multiple OL have missed full and/or partial games
- Multiple WRs have missed full and/or partial games
- Bosa has missed most of the season so far
- Multiple DBs have missed full and/or partial games (including one game lost to suspension)
- Especially considering the injuries, Minter looks like one of the top DCs in the league, with the Chargers currently ranking #1 in points allowed and #7 in yards allowed
- Chargers are currently projected to have 6th most cap space for 2025... without making any moves, which they will surely make to add to that cap space
- If they trade or release Bosa, they will have more than $100M in available cap space, independent of any other moves
It feels like they should be 4-2 and coming off a win last week, but 3-3 and 2-1 in division is not a bad start for Hortiz and Harbaugh after taking over a 5-12 team with major roster and cap challenges.
It is helpful to remember that the players, coaches, and front office people on the opposing teams also want to win and get paid a lot to do so. That was a winnable game, and the Chargers should learn from their mistakes... but sometimes you also have to tip your hat to your opponent for making one or two more plays.
@buck-melanoma Agreed. How about zero TD in the second half since week 1? Even the worst OC can get one second half drive in 5 games in the end zone. Plus, as TDU mentioned on the pod, we are bottom third or worse in most offensive metrics. Teams with less talent are more productive and more efficient. Can you imagine if this defense was like 17th or worse? We would probably have 1 win.
LOL. I post a lot on a fantasy football site that I have frequented for more than 20 years. There are a few Chargers fans there. But this is now the place for serious Chargers conversation.
I’m thinking this team is exactly where it needs to be. Big questions in several areas in the first year of a re-tool (if you don’t want to call it a rebuild). The IOL is dreadful. They can’t handle stunts at all, even when they outnumber rushers.
The rushing game is not great this year, despite Roman’s expertise in the run game. Some of this is personnel, some of it is defenses adjusting. But I do see Roman trying to adjust. Herbert has had his two highest pass attempts the last two weeks. He’s getting healthier too. But the personnel again.
I still think this is a 8-9 win team this year. But if the team wants to make a wild card playoff push, Hortiz needs to make a trade or two. So, does the team make a playoff push or let things play out as is in favor of loading up next year?
@unclejammsarmy
"But if the team wants to make a wild card playoff push, Hortiz needs to make a trade or two. So, does the team make a playoff push or let things play out as is in favor of loading up next year?"
I don't believe these 2 things are necessarily mutually exclusive. There are likely deals that could happen prior to the trade deadline that would strengthen the roster without hurting the 2025 roster build.
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