If you want to know how a season can completely fall apart, look no further than the 2023 Los Angeles Chargers. It’s basically a masterclass in how high expectations meet a brutal reality. Coming off a playoff appearance, the "All In" slogan wasn't just a marketing gimmick; it was the vibe in the building.
They had Justin Herbert. They had the stars. Honestly, they had everything on paper.
But paper doesn’t win games in the AFC West. By the time Week 18 rolled around, the Chargers weren't just out of the playoffs; they were a franchise in the middle of a total identity crisis.
Why the 2023 Los Angeles Chargers Collapsed So Fast
The cliff was steep. The team finished with a dismal 5-12 record, a massive swing from the winning culture fans expected. People often point to one or two things, but it was really a combination of a defense that couldn't stop a nosebleed and an offense that lost its rhythm when it mattered most.
Early on, the signs were there. Week 1 against the Dolphins was a track meet. 536 yards allowed. 36 points given up. It set a tone that Brandon Staley's defensive "genius" might have been overstated.
Staley’s seat wasn't just warm; it was basically a furnace by November.
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Then there was the roster depth—or lack thereof. When Mike Williams went down with a torn ACL in Week 3, the vertical threat basically evaporated. Rookie Quentin Johnston, the first-round pick everyone hoped would fill the void, struggled with drops and finding his footing. It felt like the team was constantly playing catch-up, both on the scoreboard and with their own expectations.
That Thursday Night Disaster in Las Vegas
We have to talk about the Raiders game. You know the one.
The 63-21 loss on Thursday Night Football was arguably the most embarrassing moment in franchise history. Las Vegas put up 42 points in the first half alone. It was the kind of game where you look at the screen and wonder if the players have just stopped trying.
The fallout was immediate.
- Brandon Staley was fired the next morning.
- Tom Telesco, the GM who had been there since 2013, was also shown the door.
- Giff Smith was handed the interim headset for a team that was already mentally on vacation.
Dean Spanos, the owner, usually doesn't pull the trigger mid-season. He values continuity. But after losing by 42 points to a division rival that had been shut out the week before? He basically had no choice.
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The Justin Herbert Factor and the Injury Bug
It’s hard to blame Justin Herbert for much, but 2023 was a weird year for him. He was still putting up numbers—3,134 yards and 20 touchdowns in 13 games—but he looked... uncomfortable. Kellen Moore was brought in as the new offensive coordinator to "unlock" Herbert, yet the run game was non-existent.
Austin Ekeler, usually a touchdown machine, dealt with a high ankle sprain that clearly sapped his explosiveness. He finished with just 628 rushing yards. For a guy in a contract year, it was a nightmare scenario.
Then the final blow came. Herbert fractured a finger on his throwing hand against the Broncos in Week 14. Season over. Easton Stick stepped in, and while he played hard, the gap between a franchise QB and a backup was glaringly obvious.
The Chargers’ defense finished the season ranked 28th in yards allowed. You just can't win like that. Khalil Mack was a rare bright spot with 17 sacks, showing that he’s still got plenty left in the tank even as the rest of the unit struggled to tackle or cover anyone.
The Misconception About "Chargering"
People love the "Chargering" meme—the idea that the team finds new, creative ways to lose close games. In 2023, it wasn't even about losing close games anymore. They were 0-5 in games decided by three points or less.
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But the real issue wasn't "bad luck." It was a fundamental failure in late-game management and defensive scheme. Staley’s aggressive 4th-down calls, which once felt revolutionary, started to feel desperate.
The team's inability to run the ball (ranking 25th in rushing yards) meant they couldn't close out games. They were predictable. If you know Herbert has to throw 45 times a game just to stay competitive, you can pin your ears back and rush.
What This Season Taught Us for the Future
The 2023 Los Angeles Chargers season was a necessary ending to a flawed era. It forced the organization to finally move on from the "good enough" mentality of the Telesco years.
If you're a fan or just following the league, there are a few takeaways from this mess:
- Quarterbacks can't do it alone: Even a talent like Herbert needs a run game and a defense that ranks better than 30th against the pass.
- Culture matters more than schemes: The "All In" mantra became a burden. When things went south, there was no foundation to lean on.
- The AFC West is unforgiving: You can't have "off weeks" against the Chiefs or even the Raiders when they're motivated.
The hiring of Jim Harbaugh in early 2024 was a direct response to the failures of 2023. The team realized they didn't need a "defensive guru" or a "young genius"—they needed a leader who would prioritize the trenches and discipline.
What you should do next: If you're looking back at the stats, pay attention to the snap counts of the younger guys like Tuli Tuipulotu. He was one of the few wins from the 2023 draft class. Also, keep an eye on how the 2024 roster has been gutted and rebuilt; it’s a direct reaction to the top-heavy, expensive, and ultimately fragile roster that failed so spectacularly in 2023.
The 2023 season was painful, sure. But it might have been the exact slap in the face the Chargers needed to finally get serious about winning.