Making a case for and against each team to win the AFC West in 2022
By Hunter Haas
The Case For The Chargers To Win The AFC West in 2022
Even though the division, in general, added a massive amount of talent, it could be said that the Los Angeles Chargers are the most improved team in the AFC West. One of the biggest moves of the offseason for the franchise came when they traded a 2021 second-round pick to the Chicago Bears for pass rusher Khalil Mack. Mack’s age began to show a bit last season with the Bears, but we have witnessed superstars rejuvenate their careers following a change of scenery. Paired with Joey Bosa, any opposing offensive line will not look forward to seeing the Chargers. Mack is now back home in the AFC West, a division in which he began his career.
The team was also very busy in free agency, signing defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and cornerback JC Jackson, among others. Joseph-Day’s massive frame fills arguably the biggest need for the team on the defense, as he’s expected to serve as the middle man on the line. To get where they want to be as a team, they must be able to produce pressure from the interior as well as the edge. JC Jackson comes over from New England and immediately slates in as the top cornerback on the roster. The 26-year-old Jackson is still ascending as a player, but already has elite production on his resume. The former Patriot has intercepted 25 passes in only 39 career starts. He led the league in passes defended last season with 23, and checked in at No. 2 on the interception list with 8, behind only Trevon Diggs (11). This addition gives the team a strong duo with youngster Asante Samuel Jr.
The 2022 NFL Draft saw the team add one of the best players available, Zion Johnson. Johnson began his college career as a zero-star recruit at Davidson College, a program that famously produced superstar NBA player Stephen Curry. He used his strong work ethic and constant hunger for improvement to dominate the collegiate level. Johnson played so well that he landed a gig with Boston College, and helped solidify their offensive line as a top unit in the country. For the Chargers, Johnson will immediately start at the right guard position and will be looking to make an instant impact similar to what Rashawn Slater brought to the unit as a rookie. Budding superstar Justin Herbert is going to have more time to throw in the pocket than he ever has. Behind the strength of his stacked supporting cast, Herbert should continue his trajectory towards the top of the quarterback rankings.
The Case Against The Chargers Winning The AFC West in 2022
It may be unfair, but when you think of the Los Angeles Chargers, oftentimes the first thought is their long history of unfortunate injuries. All teams in the league are indeed susceptible to this outcome, but the Chargers seemingly have the worst luck of the bunch. Dating all the way back to the Philip Rivers-LaDainian Tomlinson-Shawne Merriman days. The front office did a great job of adding talented backups at nearly every position, so they are better equipped to deal with any untimely injury. However, all it takes is an injury to a key offensive lineman or member of the secondary to throw a wrench in their high aspirations. Hopefully, the 2022 season will see the Chargers officially shed their injury-riddled label.
The other reason to argue against the Chargers winning the division is their play calling. Joe Lombardi is entering his second season as offensive coordinator in Los Angeles, and even with reports indicating his growth as a play caller, I am still not sold. Lombardi constantly becomes one-dimensional with his calls, which is something that has followed him his entire career. He completely abandons the run game at times, and even though Herbert will win games with his arm, he really needs more balance. Austin Ekeler’s strong suit is through the passing game, but he has the chops to run the football if he’s given more carries. His career yards-per-carry number (4.6) supports this claim. If Lombardi continues to lean too much on his quarterback, they could suffer the same result as 2021.