The Los Angeles Chargers have had a franchise-altering offseason, the results of which have left fans expecting a quick turnaround in terms of success.
The team moved on from head coach Brandon Staley before the 2023 season even ended and replaced him with the coach that just won the College Football National Championship, Jim Harbaugh. For the most part, the team kept its star players around on defense, but the offense is going to look completely different.
The team also has a new general manager, Joe Hortiz. Along with Harbaugh, he has put together a good offseason for the team. But no team is perfect when it comes to offseason moves, errors will be made.
Here is a look at five offseason moves by the Chargers. When it comes to the moves on the "good" side of this list, value and fit are the most important factors. What kind of player did the team get for what it gave up? On the "bad" side, did the team overpay? Did it get rid of a player that should still be wearing a Chargers jersey?
Here are the results.
Los Angeles Chargers offseason moves: The good
Drafting Joe Alt in the first round
There were Chargers fans who were highly upset over this pick at No. 5 overall and perhaps, still are. That is why it appears on this list, to reiterate that it was a great pick.
DAMN: #Chargers QB Justin Herbert has been pressured 828 times since entering the league four years ago.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 5, 2024
It's the second most in the league during that span.
Give Herbert a competent offensive line, and he will TAKE OVER THE LEAGUE!
(Via @ChargersMuse) pic.twitter.com/GMrFAugxJ1
Sure, the Chargers could have taken Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, but Alt strengthens the offensive line even further and we know that is how Harbaugh likes to build his teams.
The Chargers also ended up getting Ladd McConkey, a perfect fit, in the second round. Pairing Alt with Rashawn Jenkins at the tackle spots gives the Chargers one of the best tackle duos in football and if Trey Pipkins can convert well to one of the guard spots, this line could be the best in the NFL.
Signing Bud Dupree
Following the 2023 season, many fans expected to see one of Joey Bosa or Khalil Mack either cut in a cost-cutting move or traded to another team to get rid of a high salary. But the team chose to keep its bookend pass-rushers and then bolstered the group by signing veteran Bud Dupree.
Dupree will be an excellent addition as a situational pass-rusher and with Tuli Tuipolotu also on the roster, the Chargers are really going to be able to get after the quarterback this season.
Drafting Cam Hart in the fifth round
The Chargers had a terrific overall draft and this was one of the better value picks the team made Though Tarheeb Still was drafted ahead of Cam Hart by the Chargers, Hart has a much higher ceiling and could eventually be a starter for this team.
Los Angeles Chargers offseason moves: The bad
Signing Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst
The Chargers needed some more depth at tight end this offseason, but one of these guys would have sufficed.
Will Dissly has never really been known for his offensive playmaking ability and though Hayden Hurst can be an option in the intermediate passing game, it's hard to understand signing both of these games. Donald Parham is still on the roster as well.
Trading Keenan Allen
Bleacher Report considers the Chicago Bears acquiring Keenan Allen as the third-best move of the entire offseason, but it wasn't a good move for the Chargers, who only got a fourth-round pick for one of the best wide receivers in team history.
The Chargers did have some salary-cap issues to solve this offseason but how many people saw the team moving on from Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler this offseason? It's important to save money but you also have to make sure your franchise quarterback has what he needs to succeed.
Though the Chargers have done some good things to replenish Justin Herbert's weapons by drafting McConkey and Brenden Rice while also signing D.J. Chark, the loss of Allen should be a tough one for Chargers fans to swallow.
