3 Los Angeles Chargers That Need to Step up if the Chargers Want to Make the Playoffs

Wide Reciever, Quentin Johnston

The main player who is getting the most negative attention from the media is Quentin Johnston. With Mike Williams out for the season, Charger fans were optimistic that their first-round selection has the ability to step into the wide receiver three role and play at a starting caliber level. Unfortunately, Johnston has not been able to step up.

Blame can be given to plenty of different players, and truthfully, it is not just Johnston’s fault for his lack of success. Starting with coaching, offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore has been very underwhelming with his use of Johnston. The 2023 first-round selection has been delegated to clear out routes, and creating space for other Charger playmakers. As a rookie, this type of dirty work is expected, but as a first-round selection, that has to step up due to injuries his usage as an actual receiver has been disappointing.

Beyond coaching, blame also lies on Justin Herbert. Herbert is coming off a tough game in prime time. During this game, he targeted Johnston once, which led to an interception. On the specific route, Johnston got bullied and a poor throw led to an easy interception. Beyond this, there were plenty of times during the course of the Cowboys game that Herbert looked Johnston’s way and did not pull the trigger, whether that is scheme, trust, or Johnston simply not being open, this needs to change moving forward.

Lastly, Johnston has his fair share of responsibility when it comes to his lack of production. Receivers with 12 targets (the amount Johnston has currently) or more, Johnston ranks 90th out of 103 in PFF receiving grade. To truly show how badly the Chargers need Johnston to step up, the amalgamation of coaching, quarterback trust, and Johnston’s own play has led the TCU product rank in yards per route run (0.54) to be 101 out of 103.

Slot Cornerback, Ja’Sir Taylor

A Charger that has not been getting enough coverage is Chargers slot defender, Ja’Sir Taylor. Taylor was asked to step up at the end of the 2022 season and has been asked too again in 2023. Woefully, Taylor has not been good- like at all. As mentioned with Davis, Taylor has also been a product of poor coaching, schemes, and idiotic alignments. With that out of the way, what has Taylor done this season to warrant the need to step up?

Taylor has been one of the league’s worst cornerbacks in many categories. These categories are:

• Third Worst Coverage Grade (40.2)
• 9th Worst Rush Defense Grade
• 2nd Worst Tackling Grade
• T-4th in Missed Tackles
• First in Miss Tackle %
• T-1st Least Amount of Stops
• T-4th Least Amount of Tackles

On the positive side, Taylor has yet to give up a touchdown, T-6th in pressures among cornerbacks, T-3rd in QB Hits, making him one of the better blitzing defensive backs. This combined with his very good special teams ability gives him a role for this team, but not as big as the one he currently has.

A Positive Conclusion

The Chargers have dug themselves a hole the size of three losses in five games. To climb out and make it to the promise land, they need to start winning now. The window is closing both this season and for the future of a team full of stars. The saying goes “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link” and that is completely true for the bolts.

The defensive backs in Davis and Taylor both need to play at a higher level, hopefully with the help of coaching adjustments, which on paper is quite simple. Play your defensive backs to their strengths, and establish good situational awareness with alignments and playcalling.

Wide Reciever Quentin Johnston needs to continue his progression and gain his trust from Herbert. This takes time and practice. Both things the Chargers have as it is very early in the season, but need to speed up the process as the Chargers need for Johnston’s abilities is apparent.

It is not a long shot to see all of these players step up and do it in a hurry. The Los Angeles Chargers have a formidable and familiar foe in the Kansas City Chiefs, and all three highlighted players will be in the spotlight to show if they are ready to take the next step this season to give the Bolts a better chance at making it to the playoffs.