2023 Los Angeles Chargers season explained

Team:	Los Angeles Chargers
Year:	2023
Record:	5–12
Division Place:	4th AFC West
Coach:	Brandon Staley (fired December 15, 5–9 record) Giff Smith (interim; 0–3 record)
General Manager:	Tom Telesco (fired December 15) JoJo Wooden (interim)
Stadium:	SoFi Stadium
Playoffs:	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers:	WR Keenan Allen OLB Khalil Mack
Ap All-Pros:	PR Derius Davis (2nd team)
Uniform:	File:Los Angeles Chargers Uniforms 2020-Present.png
Shortnavlink:	Chargers seasons

The 2023 season was the Los Angeles Chargers' 54th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 64th overall, their eighth in the Greater Los Angeles Area, their fourth playing their home games at SoFi Stadium, their tenth and final under general manager Tom Telesco and their third and final under head coach Brandon Staley. The Chargers failed to improve on their 10–7 record from the previous season following a Week 12, 10–20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.^[1] They then guaranteed a worse record following a Week 14, 7–24 loss to the Denver Broncos.^[2] With a Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Chargers were eliminated from playoff contention.^[3]

Already struggling with a 5–7 start, the Chargers were dealt with a devastating blow when they lost franchise quarterback, Justin Herbert following a week 14 loss to the Denver Broncos to a broken finger. Los Angeles lost 7 games decided by 3 points or less, the most in the NFL.

Roster changes

Free agency

Unrestricted

Position	Player	2023 team	Date signed	Contract
FS	Nasir Adderley	Retired^[4] ^[5]
CB	Bryce Callahan
WR/KR	DeAndre Carter	Las Vegas Raiders	March 30, 2023	1 year, $1.5 million
C	Will Clapp	Los Angeles Chargers	April 6, 2023	1 year, $1.18 million
DE	Christian Covington	Detroit Lions	May 10, 2023	1 year, $1.165 million
QB	Chase Daniel	Retired
NT	Tyeler Davison
DE	Morgan Fox	Los Angeles Chargers	March 15, 2023^[6]	2 years, $7.25 million
T	Trey Pipkins	Los Angeles Chargers	March 14, 2023^[7]	3 years, $21.75 million
ILB	Troy Reeder	Minnesota Vikings	March 22, 2023^[8]	1 year, $1.2325 million
TE	Richard Rodgers II
P	J. K. Scott	Los Angeles Chargers	March 17, 2023^[9]	2 years, $4 million
QB	Easton Stick	Los Angeles Chargers	March 13, 2023^[10]	1 year, $1.8 million
ILB	Drue Tranquill	Kansas City Chiefs	March 17, 2023^[11]	1 year, $5 million
LB	Kyle Van Noy

Restricted and exclusive-rights

Position	Player	Tag	2023 team	Date signed	Contract
WR	Michael Bandy	ERFA	Houston Roughnecks (XFL)	March 29, 2023^[12]	1 year
K		ERFA	Los Angeles Chargers	March 14, 2023^[13]	1 year, $705 thousand
DE	Breiden Fehoko	ERFA	Pittsburgh Steelers	March 30, 2023^[14]	1 year, $940 thousand
DE	Joe Gaziano	RFA	Atlanta Falcons	March 27, 2023^[15]	1 year, $1.01 million
WR	Jalen Guyton	RFA	Los Angeles Chargers	April 17, 2023^[16]	1 year, $1.2325 million
CB	Kemon Hall	ERFA	Los Angeles Chargers	March 22, 2023^[17]	1 year, $940 thousand
DE	Forrest Merrill	ERFA	Seattle Seahawks	May 15, 2023	1 year, $870 thousand
T	Storm Norton	RFA	New Orleans Saints	March 16, 2023^[18]	1 year, $1.01 million
TE	Donald Parham	RFA	Los Angeles Chargers	March 17, 2023^[19]	2 years, $2.65 million
T	Foster Sarell	ERFA	Los Angeles Chargers	March 14, 2023	1 year, $705 thousand
DE	Derrek Tuszka	RFA

Futures

Shortly after the end of their 2022 season, the Chargers signed twelve players on their practice squad to reserve/future free agent contracts.^[20]

Position	Player	Date signed
T	Zack Bailey	January 17, 2023
WR	Keelan Doss
WR	John Hightower
CB	Michael Jacquet
TE	Hunter Kampmoyer
OLB	Carlo Kemp
ILB	Tyreek Maddox-Williams
NT	David Moa
G	Austen Pleasants
RB	Larry Rountree III
OLB	Ty Shelby
FS	Mark Webb

Signings

Position	Player	Previous team	Date signed	Contract
LB	Eric Kendricks	Minnesota Vikings	March 15, 2023^[21]	2 years, $13.25 million
DL	C. J. Okoye	None (IPPP)	May 4, 2023^[22]	3 years, $2.695 million
DE	Nick Williams	New York Giants	May 18, 2023^[23]	1 year, $1.23 million
WR	Darrius Shepherd	St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL)	June 2, 2023	1 year, $940 thousand
WR	Milton Wright	Purdue (FBS)	July 26, 2023^[24]	1 year, $750 thousand
LB	Blake Lynch	Arizona Cardinals	July 28, 2023^[25]	1 year, $940 thousand
T	Matt Kaskey	Birmingham Stallions (USFL)	August 9, 2023	1 year, $940 thousand
RB	Aaron Shampklin	Indianapolis Colts	August 15, 2023	1 year, $750 thousand
CB	Matt Hankins	Birmingham Stallions (USFL)	August 16, 2023^[26]	1 year, $750 thousand
LB	Tae Crowder	Pittsburgh Steelers	August 22, 2023	1 year, $1.01 million
CB	Chris Wilcox	Pittsburgh Steelers	September 1, 2023	1 year, $216 thousand

Retirements

Free safety Nasir Adderley announced his retirement on March 16. Adderley was drafted by the Chargers in 2019 and appeared in 50 games in four seasons.

Position	Player	Date retired
FS	Nasir Adderley	March 16, 2023
QB	Chase Daniel	September 5, 2023

Releases/waivers

Position	Player	2023 team	Date released/waived
G	Matt Feiler	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	March 14, 2023^[27]
LB	Damon Lloyd	Birmingham Stallions (USFL)^[28]	May 31, 2023
LB	Tyreek Maddox-Williams	Philadelphia Eagles	July 28, 2023
OL	Nic Melsop	Injury settlement	August 9, 2023
RB	Larry Rountree III	Houston Texans	August 14, 2023^[29]
CB	Kemon Hall	Injury settlement	August 16, 2023^[30]
T	Andrew Trainer		August 23, 2023
WR	Keelan Doss	Practice squad	August 29, 2023
LB	Brevin Allen
T	Zack Bailey
S	Tyler Baker-Williams		August 29, 2023
C	Johari Branch
CB	Cam Brown
WR	Terrell Bynum	Practice squad	August 29, 2023
DL	Jerrod Clark
LB	Tae Crowder		August 29, 2023
QB	Max Duggan	Practice squad	August 29, 2023
LB	Nathan East		August 29, 2023
TE	Michael Ezeike
LB	Andrew Farmer	Practice squad	August 29, 2023
CB	Matt Hankins
WR	John Hightower		August 29, 2023
RB	Tyler Hoosman
CB	Michael Jacquet
LB	Mikel Jones
TE	Hunter Kampmoyer	Practice squad	August 29, 2023
LB	Carlo Kemp
DL	Terrance Lang		August 29, 2023
DL	David Moa
CB	Tiawan Mullen	Philadelphia Eagles	August 29, 2023
DL	C. J. Okoye	Practice squad	August 29, 2023
G	Austen Pleasants
RB	Aaron Shampklin		August 29, 2023
LB	Ty Shelby
C	Isaac Weaver
DB	Mark Webb Jr.
WR	Pokey Wilson
T	Matt Kaskey	Injury settlement	August 29, 2023
LB	Blake Lynch	Injury settlement
WR	Darrius Shepherd	Injury settlement
CB	Amechi Uzodinma		August 29, 2023
WR	Milton Wright	Injury settlement	August 29, 2023
Roster cut to 53 on August 29
FB	Zander Horvath	Pittsburgh Steelers	August 30, 2023

Contract extensions

Position	Player	Date signed	Contract
QB	Justin Herbert	April 28, 2023^[31]	Fifth-year option
		July 25, 2023^[32]	5 years, $262.5 million

Practice squad elevations

Each NFL team is permitted to elevate up to two players from the practice squad to the active game day roster per week, with those designated players being allowed to return to the practice squad up to two times without being exposed to waivers. If a practice squad player is elevated to the game day roster for a third time, that player will be required to clear waivers before returning to the practice squad. Teams are also permitted to protect a maximum of four practice squad players to prevent opposing teams from signing those players to their active rosters.

Injuries

• July 26: Wide receiver Jalen Guyton, defensive lineman Austin Johnson, and defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia were placed on the PUP list.^{[34] [35]}
• August 16: Cornerback Kemon Hall was waived with an injury designation.
• August 17: Defensive lineman Austin Johnson was activated from the PUP list.^[36] Kemon Hall was placed on injured reserve.

NFL draft

See main article: 2023 NFL draft.

2023 Los Angeles Chargers draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College	Notes
	21
2	54
3	85
4	125
5	156
6	200				from LA Chargers via Chicago
7	239

Notes

2023 Los Angeles Chargers undrafted free agents

Name	Position	College	Ref.
Brevin Allen	OLB	Campbell	^[37]
Tyler Baker-Williams	S	North Carolina State
Johari Branch	C	Maryland
Cam Brown	CB	Ohio State
Terrell Bynum	WR	USC
Jerrod Clark	DL	Coastal Carolina
Elijah Dotson	RB	Northern Colorado
Nathan East	LB	Samford
Michael Ezeike	TE	UCLA
Andrew Farmer	OLB	Lane
A. J. Finley	S	Mississippi
Tyler Hoosman	RB	North Dakota
Mikel Jones	LB	Syracuse
Terrance Lang	DL	Colorado
Nicolas Melsop	T	Delta State
Tiawan Mullen	CB	Indiana
AJ Uzodinma	CB	Ball State
Pokey Wilson	WR	Florida State
Milton Wright	WR	Purdue	^[38]

Staff

Coaching changes

2023 Los Angeles Chargers Staff Changes

Coach	Position	Reason left	Replacement
	Offensive coordinator	Fired^[39]	Kellen Moore^[40]
	Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach	Fired	Doug Nussmeier^[41]
	Linebackers coach	Fired^[42]	Jeff Howard^[43]
Isaac Shewmaker	Defensive quality control coach	Accepted job with Denver Broncos^[44]	Robert Muschamp^[45]
	Defensive coordinator	Accepted job with Miami Dolphins^[46]	Derrick Ansley
	Secondary coach	Promoted to defensive coordinator	Tom Donatell
	Assistant secondary coach	Promoted to defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach	Will Harris^[47]
Damon Mitchell	Head athletic trainer	Fired^[48]	Sal López^[49] ^[50]
Marco Zucconi	Associate athletic trainer	Promoted to Director of Player Health and Performance	None

Preseason

The Chargers' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on May 16, 2023.^[51] The Chargers held joint practices with the New Orleans Saints on August 17 and 18 at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, California.^[52]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1		at Los Angeles Rams	W 34–17	1–0	SoFi Stadium	Recap
2	August 20	New Orleans Saints	L 17–22	1–1	SoFi Stadium	Recap
3		at San Francisco 49ers	W 23–12	2–1	Levi's Stadium	Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	September 10	Miami Dolphins	L 34–36	0–1	SoFi Stadium	Recap
2	September 17	at Tennessee Titans	L 24–27	0–2	Nissan Stadium	Recap
3	September 24	at Minnesota Vikings	W 28–24	1–2	U.S. Bank Stadium	Recap
4	October 1	Las Vegas Raiders	W 24–17	2–2	SoFi Stadium	Recap
5	Bye
6		Dallas Cowboys	L 17–20	2–3	SoFi Stadium	Recap
7	October 22	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 17–31	2–4	Arrowhead Stadium	Recap
8	October 29	Chicago Bears	W 30–13	3–4	SoFi Stadium	Recap
9		at New York Jets	W 27–6	4–4	MetLife Stadium	Recap
10	November 12	Detroit Lions	L 38–41	4–5	SoFi Stadium	Recap
11	November 19	at Green Bay Packers	L 20–23	4–6	Lambeau Field	Recap
12	November 26	Baltimore Ravens	L 10–20	4–7	SoFi Stadium	Recap
13	December 3	at New England Patriots	W 6–0	5–7	Gillette Stadium	Recap
14	December 10	Denver Broncos	L 7–24	5–8	SoFi Stadium	Recap
15		at Las Vegas Raiders	L 21–63	5–9	Allegiant Stadium	Recap
16		Buffalo Bills	L 22–24	5–10	SoFi Stadium	Recap
17	December 31	at Denver Broncos	L 9–16	5–11	Empower Field at Mile High	Recap
18	January 7	Kansas City Chiefs	L 12–13	5–12	SoFi Stadium	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 2: at Tennessee Titans

The Chargers blew an 11–0 lead and lost to the Titans, 27–24, in overtime, on a 41-yard field goal by Nick Folk. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 0–2.

Week 13: at New England Patriots

The Chargers defeated the Patriots for the first time since 2008, and in Foxborough for the first time since 2005.

Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos

In addition to losing the game, the Chargers lost quarterback Justin Herbert for the rest of the season to a finger injury in the 2nd quarter. This would be the last game Keenan Allen will play for the team as he was traded in the 2024 off-season.

Week 15: at Las Vegas Raiders

The Chargers suffered one of the worst losses in franchise history, as the Raiders set a franchise record for most points scored in a game just four days after being shut out. The Chargers turned the ball over five times and allowed 35 points off turnovers. The day after the game, the Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. They extended their losing streak in Las Vegas to 3 games.

Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills

With this loss, the Chargers were eliminated from playoff contention.

Week 18: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Standings

Conference

Notes and References

1. Web site: Zay Flowers catches and runs for TDs, Ravens force 4 turnovers in 20–10 win over Chargers. ESPN.com. November 27, 2023. December 15, 2023.
2. Web site: Russell Wilson throws 2 TD passes, Justin Herbert injured as Broncos cruise past Chargers 24–7. ESPN.com. December 11, 2023. December 15, 2023.
3. https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2023/12/24/los-angeles-chargers-2024-nfl-draft-order-team-needs/ The Chargers are eliminated from the playoffs, vault into top-5 draft slot
4. nasir_adderley . Cp21bDkJbcM . Retirement . March 16, 2023.
5. Web site: Chargers safety Nasir Adderley announces he's retiring at age 25 after just four NFL seasons . March 16, 2023. cbssports.com.
6. Web site: Chargers re-sign DT Morgan Fox to 2-year deal. March 15, 2023. boltsfromtheblue.com.
7. Web site: Chargers re-sign right tackle Trey Pipkins. March 14, 2023. profootballtalk.com.
8. Web site: Vikings agree to terms with Troy Reeder. March 22, 2023. sports.yahoo.com.
9. Web site: Chargers re-sign P JK Scott to a 2-year, $4 million deal. March 17, 2023. boltsfromtheblue.com.
10. Web site: Chargers re-sign backup QB Easton Stick. March 13, 2023. profootballtalk.com.
11. Web site: Chiefs to sign Drue Tranquill. March 17, 2023. profootballtalk.com.
12. Web site: Houston Roughnecks Sign Former Los Angeles Chargers WR Michael Bandy. March 29, 2023. April 29, 2023. xflnewshub.com.
13. Web site: Chargers tender Cameron Dicker, Foster Sarell. March 14, 2023. profootballtalk.com.
14. Web site: Steelers Sign Former Chargers NT Breiden Fehoko. March 30, 2023. April 29, 2023. si.com.
15. Web site: Falcons Sign Chargers DE Joe Gaziano; What's His Role?. March 27, 2023. April 29, 2023. si.com.
16. Web site: Jalen Guyton re-signs with Chargers. April 17, 2023. April 29, 2023. sports.yahoo.com.
17. Web site: Los Angeles Chargers Sign Kemon Hall. March 22, 2023. April 29, 2023. chargers.com.
18. Web site: Former Chargers OT Storm Norton signing with the Saints. March 16, 2023. chargerswire.com.
19. Web site: Chargers to re-sign Donald Parham. March 17, 2023. profootballtalk.com.
20. Web site: Los Angeles Chargers Sign 12 Players to Contracts . chargers.com . January 17, 2023.
21. Web site: Eric Kendricks says he’s joining the Chargers. March 13, 2023. profootballtalk.com.
22. Web site: Basil Chijioke Okoye Joins Chargers Through International Pathway Program. May 4, 2023. chargers.com.
23. Web site: Report: Chargers signing DT Nick Williams. May 18, 2023. chargerswire.com.
24. Web site: Chargers sign WR Milton Wright. July 26, 2023. chargerswire.com.
25. Web site: Los Angeles Chargers Sign Blake Lynch. July 28, 2023. chargers.com.
26. Web site: Matt Hankins signs with Los Angeles Chargers. August 17, 2023. hawkeyeswire.com.
27. Web site: Chargers releasing Matt Feiler after agreeing to terms with Trey Pipkins. March 14, 2023. profootballtalk.com.
28. Web site: Former IUP standout Damon Lloyd signs with Birmingham Stallions. June 14, 2023. iupathletics.com.
29. Web site: Chargers waive Larry Rountree III. August 14, 2023. NBC Sports.
30. Web site: Chargers news: Los Angeles waives Kemon Hall with injury designation. August 16, 2023. chargerswire.com.
31. Web site: Report: Chargers exercise Justin Herbert’s fifth-year option. profootballtalk.com. April 28, 2022. April 30, 2023.
32. Web site: Justin Herbert, Chargers agree to five-year, $262.5 million extension. July 25, 2023. NFL.
33. Web site: Los Angeles Chargers Activate Outside Linebacker Brevin Allen . September 10, 2023. chargers.com. September 10, 2023.
34. chargers . 1684234500157612032. WR Pokey Wilson passed his physical. WR Jalen Guyton, DL Otito Ogbonnia and DL Austin Johnson declared Physically Unable to Perform..
35. Web site: Chargers' Jalen Guyton: Lands on PUP list. July 26, 2023. cbssports.com.
36. Web site: Chargers DT Austin Johnson activated from PUP list, returns to practice. August 17, 2023. chargerswire.com.
37. Web site: Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Undrafted Free Agents. April 29, 2023. chargers.com.
38. Web site: Los Angeles Chargers Sign Milton Wright. chargers.com. July 27, 2023.
39. Web site: Chargers fire offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. January 17, 2023. January 20, 2023. chargerswire.com.
40. Web site: Sources: Chargers hiring Kellen Moore as new OC. January 30, 2023. espn.com.
41. Web site: Report: Chargers hiring Doug Nussmeier as quarterbacks coach. February 14, 2023. chargerswire.com.
42. Web site: Chargers fire linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite. January 17, 2023. January 20, 2023. chargerswire.com.
43. Web site: Report: Chargers to Hire Browns' Jeff Howard as New Inside Linebackers Coach. February 10, 2023. si.com.
44. Web site: Report: Broncos Hire Isaac Shewmaker as Defensive QC. March 6, 2023. si.com.
45. Web site: Report: Chargers Hiring Georgia's Robert Muschamp as Quality Control Coach. February 17, 2023. si.com.
46. Web site: Source: Chargers DC Renaldo Hill bolts to rejoin Fins' Fangio. February 20, 2023. espn.com.
47. Web site: Report: Chargers hiring Will Harris as assistant secondary coach. March 10, 2023. chargerswire.com.
48. Web site: Chargers cut ties with former head athletic trainer Damon Mitchell. February 23, 2023. chargerswire.com.
49. Web site: Bolts Make Health Performance Changes After Injury-Riddled Season. June 17, 2023. July 19, 2023. si.com.
50. Web site: Chargers make changes to training staff after injury-riddled 2022 season. June 13, 2023. chargerswire.com.
51. Web site: Chargers Finalize 2023 Preseason Schedule. May 16, 2023. June 27, 2023. chargers.com.
52. Web site: Chargers announce dates for 2023 training camp. June 20, 2023. June 27, 2023. chargerswire.com.