A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| 2021 Los Angeles Chargers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Dean Spanos |
| General manager | Tom Telesco |
| Head coach | Brandon Staley |
| Home field | SoFi Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 9–8 |
| Division place | 3rd AFC West |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | |
| AP All-Pros | 3
|
| Uniform | |
 | |
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The 2021 season was the Los Angeles Chargers' 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 62nd overall, their sixth in the Greater Los Angeles Area, their second playing their home games at SoFi Stadium and their first under head coach Brandon Staley. They improved upon their 7–9 season from the previous year after a win over the New York Giants, finishing 9–8 but narrowly missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season after a Week 18 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. In that game, they were beaten by a field goal as time expired in overtime when a tie would have put both teams in the playoffs.
Los Angeles began the season 4–1, but were only 5–7 over the remaining twelve games. Highlights included road victories over the Bengals and Chiefs, who contested the AFC Championship Game at the end of the season. Staley implemented an aggressive offensive policy that saw the team often spurn punts or field goals in favor of going for it on 4th down, and the Chargers set a record for most 4th down conversions in a season with 22 from 34 attempts. Staley's philosophy was criticized after failed attempts in overtime defeats to the Chiefs and Raiders.
During the offseason, Los Angeles had prioritized an upgrade of their offensive line, with 1st-round draft pick Rashawn Slater joining free-agent signings Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler. Aided by their protection, quarterback Justin Herbert set numerous team records, and became the first Charger to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. His top receivers, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, each had over 1,100 receiving yards. While the running game was less effective, running back Austin Ekeler, through a mix of rushing and receiving, scored 20 touchdowns, a feat previously achieved only by LaDainian Tomlinson in franchise history. The defense was weaker than the offense, despite strong seasons from edge rusher Joey Bosa and safety Derwin James, who returned after missing the entire 2020 season through injury. They struggled particularly against the run and gave up several big plays on the ground during their season-ending defeat.
Coaching changes
Anthony Lynn was fired as head coach of the Chargers on January 4, the day after their 2020 season had concluded with a 7–9 record. Lynn had compiled a 33–31 record over four seasons, making the playoffs once. His reign was marked by several narrow defeats, including seven one-score losses in the 2020 season;[1] they lost several games from strong positions that season, four times being beaten after holding double-digit leads.[2] Lynn and his team were also criticized for errors with clock management.[3][4]
It took the Chargers less than a fortnight to choose Lynn's successor, with Brandon Staley named the new head coach on January 17. It was Staley's first head coaching job; he had spent the previous season as defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, in charge of a defense that was the league's best in both points allowed and yards allowed.[5] General manager Tom Telesco noted Staley's football mind and work ethic as reasons for the hire, while Staley described the job as a dream come true.[6] Los Angeles also changed their offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators, with a trio of hires announced on January 25. New offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi had filled the same role for Detroit in 2014 and 2015, before serving as New Orleans Saints quarterback coach in the previous five seasons.[7] Renaldo Hill joined from Denver as defensive coordinator after two seasons as defensive backs coach with the Broncos; he and Staley had worked together previously, having both been on the Broncos' staff during the 2019 season.[8] New special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II had over a decade of NFL experience in that field with various clubs, most recently Arizona.[7]
Roster changes
Overview
Los Angeles overhauled their offensive line in the offseason after the unit was perceived to have performed poorly in 2020.[9] Starters Dan Feeney, Forrest Lamp, Sam Tevi, and Trai Turner were either waived or allowed to leave in free agency, leaving only Bryan Bulaga to carry over into 2021.[10] The Chargers filled three of their line vacancies through free agency. Center Corey Linsley signed a 5-year contract worth over $60 million.[11] He had spent the previous seven seasons in Green Bay, starting 99 games and being named a 1st-team All-Pro in 2020 by the Associated Press. Former Steelers left guard Matt Feiler signed for three years on the same day,[11] and Oday Aboushi, who had spent the past two seasons at Detroit, was brought in shortly afterward to play right guard.[12]
Other offensive changes included the starting tight end spot: Hunter Henry left in free agency after five years with the Chargers, and was replaced by former Saint and 12-year veteran Jared Cook.[13] Quarterback Tyrod Taylor went to Houston; he had begun the 2020 season as the Chargers' starter, but lost that role to Justin Herbert following a Week 2 injury.[14]
On defense, Melvin Ingram left after nine seasons with the Chargers, during which he had started 96 games as a linebacker or defensive lineman and earned three Pro Bowl selections.[15] Ingram had given indications of being unsatisfied with his contract going into 2020,[16] and struggled with injuries during that season.[17] Los Angeles released cornerback Casey Hayward after five years, two Pro Bowls and 75 starts.[18] Another defensive back, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, was allowed to leave as an unrestricted free agent after starting all but one game the previous two seasons.[19]
The Chargers twice made changes at the placekicker position. Incumbent Michael Badgley, who had struggled in 2020, was cut after he lost a training camp battle with Tristan Vizcaino.[20] Vizcaino, however, missed five extra points and a field goal in the first six games of the regular season, and was himself replaced with eight-year veteran Dustin Hopkins on October 26.[21] Andre Roberts was another mid-season signing, brought in to boost the Chargers' kick return game. Roberts had made the last three Pro Bowls as a returner with New York and Buffalo.[22]
Free agency
Unrestricted
| Position | Player | 2021 team | Date signed | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Jahleel Addae | Indianapolis Colts | October 26, 2021[23] | 1 year, $154,000 |
| CB | Michael Davis | Los Angeles Chargers | March 17, 2021[24] | 3 years, $25.2 million |
| G | Dan Feeney | New York Jets | March 18, 2021[25] | 1 year, $1.5 million |
| TE | Virgil Green | |||
| C | Ryan Groy | |||
| TE | Hunter Henry | New England Patriots | March 17, 2021[26] | 3 years, $37.5 million |
| DE | Melvin Ingram | Pittsburgh Steelers | July 20, 2021[27] | 1 year, $4 million |
| FS | Rayshawn Jenkins | Jacksonville Jaguars | March 17, 2021[28] | 4 years, $35 million |
| G | Forrest Lamp | Buffalo Bills | April 7, 2021[29] | 1 year |
| MLB | Denzel Perryman | Carolina Panthers | March 17, 2021[30] | 2 years, $6 million |
| DT | Damion Square | Cleveland Browns | May 4, 2021[31] | 1 year |
| QB | Tyrod Taylor | Houston Texans | March 17, 2021[32] | 1 year, $5.5 million |
| OT | Sam Tevi | Indianapolis Colts | March 22, 2021[33] | 1 year, $1.5 million |
| OLB | Nick Vigil | Minnesota Vikings | March 17, 2021[34] | 1 year, $1.35 million |
| SS | Jaylen Watkins |