After a tumultuous week, the Los Angeles Chargers return to the field Saturday night when they host the Buffalo Bills.
The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley, general manager Tom Telesco and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers a week ago. The past seven days have been a period of rapid transition for players and staffers, as interim head coach Giff Smith has assumed his new role. The Chargers have three games remaining. How will the team respond in this final stretch of the season, starting against the Bills?
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The Chargers are 5-9. They will likely be eliminated from playoff contention this weekend, even if they win Saturday night. Despite that, many Chargers still have quite a bit to play and coach for over these final three games. At the most basic level, the Chargers are playing three teams in the playoff hunt in the Bills, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, and they have a chance to be a spoiler. They will be playing and coaching for pride.
Some players and coaches have even more tangible motivation.
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Here are the five Chargers with the most at stake over the rest of this season.
Ekeler was looking for a long-term contract extension last offseason. When that did not materialize, he agreed to return to the Chargers on an amended deal that added $1.75 million in incentives. Strictly on a financial basis, Ekeler has plenty to play for. Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger broke down Ekeler’s incentives this week. Ekeler, who is set to hit free agency after this season, can earn up to $1 million in incentives for yards, and the first tier of those kick in at 1,125 scrimmage yards. Ekeler has 879 scrimmage yards on the season — 506 rushing and 373 receiving. He needs 246 scrimmage yards over the final three games to hit 1,125. That comes out to 82 scrimmage yards per game, which is very attainable. Ekeler, according to Spielberger, also has $600,000 in incentives for touchdowns, and the first tier of those kick in at 10 touchdowns. Ekeler has six touchdowns on the season, so he would need at least four over the final three games to earn extra money.
Ekeler has not produced the season anyone expected. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and missed the next three games. He has not looked like the same player since the injury. Incentive money is one motivator. Ekeler is also on his way to free agency, and a return to form down the stretch could impact his value on the open market come March. Ekeler has a chance to at least partially salvage what has been a disappointing contract year after he was one of the most productive players in football in 2021 and ’22.
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Stick’s first career regular season start when about as poorly as possible. The Chargers were down 21-0 after the first quarter. Stick lost two fumbles and also threw a pick six. The game obviously got away from everyone involved on the Chargers sideline. Some of that was Stick’s fault. Some of it was not. To his credit, Stick battled through a horrific situation and finished 23-of-32 passing for 257 yards and three touchdowns.
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Smith said earlier this week that there is “no doubt, no question” that Stick will be the starting quarterback moving forward. The Chargers signed Will Grier off the New England Patriots practice squad to serve as Stick’s backup. Justin Herbert, of course, is on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season with a fractured right index finger. Stick has a chance over these final three games to prove himself as a viable NFL backup. He is set to be a free agent after this season. Stick signed a one-year deal to return to the Chargers for 2023.
Easton Stick has a chance to prove he can be an NFL backup QB, while Brenden Jamies can show he can play center. (Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today)Starting center Corey Linsley has not played since Week 3 because of a heart-related medical issue. Backup Will Clapp suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders, and he was placed on injured reserve this week. Next up at center is Brenden Jaimes, who has played just 46 offensive snaps in his three-year NFL career — 23 of which came in Week 15 against the Raiders after Clapp was carted off the field.
The Chargers drafted Jaimes in the fifth round in 2021. He was exclusively a tackle in college at Nebraska, starting 31 games at left tackle and nine at right tackle. The Chargers were projecting a move inside to guard for Jaimes and that is primarily where he played in his first two seasons. He played 127 snaps at left and right guard in the 2021 preseason. He played 151 snaps at left and right guard in the 2022 preseason. Jaimes did play seven snaps at center in Week 6 of last season, when Linsley was out with food poisoning and Clapp left the game briefly with an injury. But most of Jaimes’ experience at center has come this season. He spent time there during training camp. He played 129 snaps at center in the preseason. Now, Jaimes has an extended opportunity to show if he can fit at center at this level.
Defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley
With Staley gone, Ansley will take over defensive play calling. Ansley called defensive plays for the Chargers’ preseason finale at the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year. But he has never called plays in the NFL in a regular season game. Ansley, who was promoted to defensive coordinator last offseason after Staley let go of Renaldo Hill, said this week that he has “mixed emotions” about taking over this increased role.
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“Obviously, we don’t want this to be me calling plays in this situation where Brandon is no longer here,” Ansley said. “But I am excited about the opportunity to lead our players.”
Smith said earlier in the week that there will be some “subtle changes” to the defense. Ansley admitted that he and Staley have “two different minds.” And so it will be interesting to see what buttons Ansley pushes over the next three games now that he is fully running the show. The Chargers will be facing two top-10 offenses by EPA per drive in the Bills and Chiefs, according to TruMedia. The Broncos are in the top half of the league in EPA per designed rush, according to TruMedia. If Ansley can rally this group and put together three quality performances, that will be valuable as he more than likely hits the open market after the season. Especially if he is looking to stay in the NFL (he’s had several prominent college roles, including the defensive coordinator at Tennessee and defensive backs coach at Alabama).
Derrick Ansley will get his first chance to call defensive plays in an NFL regular season game. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)Bosa has been on injured reserve since suffering a sprained foot in a Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The Chargers opened his 21-day practice activation window Thursday, though he will not play Saturday against the Bills. When asked Thursday if he expects Bosa to play again this season, Smith said, “I think that’s his mindset. The body will tell him as we move forward.”
Bosa has struggled with injuries throughout his career, particularly over the past two seasons. He missed all but five regular season games last year with a torn groin. He has played nine games this season. Bosa dealt with hamstring and toe injuries before the sprained foot. After weathering the hamstring and broken toe, Bosa had been playing some really good football up until the injury in the Green Bay game.
Bosa returning this season and putting some quality reps on tape in the final two games would make a statement — either to the new Chargers GM and coach or to another franchise looking to bolster its edge rushing group. Bosa has two more years left on the market-setting extension he signed in 2020. The Chargers could hypothetically get out of the contract in the offseason by either cutting or trading Bosa. He has played more than 12 games in just three of his eight seasons.
(Top photo of Easton Stick and Austin Ekeler: Harry How / Getty Images)
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