The Los Angeles Chargers reached the 53-man roster ahead of the league-mandated deadline on Tuesday but as is the case with all other 31 NFL teams, some decisions will be scrutinized.
This team will not be the Chargers of the last several years. This is the first 53-man roster put together the way that Jim Harbaugh wants it to look and some of the moves that were made were not predicted by most within the media.
With that said, here is the first look at the team's 53-man roster for the 2024 season.
#Chargers initial 53-man roster pic.twitter.com/J2O5H1n3ko
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) August 27, 2024
What sticks out to you?
Biggest surprises from Chargers' 53-man roster
Easton Stick sticks
Despite what can only be described as a disastrous preseason, Easton Stick is still the Chargers' backup quarterback. The Cleveland Browns ended up keeping four quarterbacks and it was heavily speculated that if they released Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Tyler Huntley, the Chargers would scoop them up off waivers.
They kept them both.
Hopefully, Justin Herbert's plantar fascia injury doesn't turn into a huge issue because if the Chargers have to turn to Stick in meaningful games, things could get ugly.
Chargers keep 7 wide receivers
Some teams only kept four, while others kept five wide receivers. The Chargers kept seven. Many predictions had seventh-round pick Brenden Rice off the roster but the team obviously felt he wouldn't clear waivers in order to be put on the practice squad and still have plans for him.
Donald Parham let go
This will likely be seen as controversial to some but Donald Parham, despite being part of the team the past four seasons, just doesn't fit what Harbaugh wants in a tight end, despite his success in the red zone.
The Chargers kept Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst and Stone Smartt as their only tight ends.
Tre'Mon Morris-Brash misses the 53
Easily the team's most impressive undrafted rookie this season, Tre'Mon Morris-Brash had a terrific summer for the team but it still wasn't enough as the Chargers chose to keep just four edge rushers: Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tui Tuipolotu and Bud Dupree.
He will be a sure-fire addition to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Tony Jefferson and JT Woods both make it
The prevailing thought was that these two were battling for one spot and Tony Jefferson made it a difficult decision after a huge performance in the preseason finale.
Would the Chargers go with the veteran or the younger former third-round pick? Instead, the team found a way to keep them both.
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