A pessimist's guide to the 2024 Los Angeles Chargers

Last season, the Los Angeles Chargers collapsed, finishing 5-12. This offseason, they hired new head coach Jim Harbaugh to spark a turnaround, but he faces several challenges.

Here's why Los Angeles should be worried about next season.

Receiving corps

To save cap space, the Chargers dealt six-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and released former first-round pick Mike Williams.

In the draft, the Chargers selected three wideouts, Georgia's Ladd McConkey (pick No. 34), Southern Cal's Brenden Rice (pick No. 225) and Michigan's Cornelius Johnson (pick No. 253). Whether they can replace Allen and Williams remains to be seen.

L.A. also has wideouts Joshua Palmer and former first-round pick Quentin Johnston, but neither has looked like a premier playmaker. Last season, both failed to surpass 600 receiving yards.

The lack of a bona fide No. 1 pass-catcher may make it harder for Harbaugh and company to maximize quarterback Justin Herbert's downfield passing ability.

Edge-rusher Joey Bosa's durability

In 2020, Bosa signed a five-year, $135M deal with $78M guaranteed. Since then, he's struggled to stay on the field, missing 19 games over the past four seasons, with toe, foot and hamstring injuries. The 28-year-old was considered a trade or cut candidate before he agreed to a restructured deal in March.

When healthy, Bosa — 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year — is one of the best pass-rushers in the league. In eight seasons with the Chargers, he has earned four Pro Bowl nods, logging 67 sacks and 15 forced fumbles.

Still, it appears Bosa is slowing down and may not recapture his elite form. Per Pro Football Focus, he recorded 24 pressures in nine games last season, the second-lowest mark of his career. 

Secondary

Last season, the Chargers couldn't stop the pass, ranking 30th in the league in passing yards (249.8) and 25th in passing TDs (26) allowed. L.A. may have the same problem this upcoming season after doing little to improve its secondary in free agency and the draft.

In March, the Chargers signed CB Kristian Fulton to a one-year, $3.125M deal. The 35-year-old posted a below-average 46.9 PFF coverage grade in 12 games with the Tennessee Titans last season, so he's not an upgrade. Los Angeles drafted Notre Dame's Cam Hart in the fifth round, but he had no interceptions in 12 games in 2023. 

A shaky secondary doesn't bode well for the Chargers, especially in the AFC West, where Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes awaits twice a year. L.A. has lost five straight against the defending Super Bowl champions.