Can the Chargers have the best defense in the NFL?

By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Chargers have easily had the most successful offseason in 2022 thus far. Brandon Staley’s squad has brought back Mike Williams, traded for Khalil Mack, signed J.C. Jackson, and has made other under-the-radar free-agent signings. In particular, the Chargers defense has received a significant boost in 2022.

With that enunciated, the question is: what is the most dreamy expectation of the Chargers new-look defense? Well, I believe the Chargers should be confident that they can display one of the most potent defensive units in the NFL next season.

The Chargers were the 12th best pass defense (passing YPG allowed) in the NFL last season. Meanwhile, the J.C. Jackson-led Patriots pass defense was the second-best pass defense last season. Interestingly, the Khalil Mack-led Bears defense displayed the third-best pass defense last season. I really believe the Chargers defense that already featured the very talented Derwin James and Joey Bosa last season can be a Top 5 pass defense in the NFL next season.

I fully understand Jackson and Mack weren’t solely responsible for their defensive success last season. Mack had a ton of help from Robert Quinn and Jackson was benefited from the defensive guru Bill Belichick. I still believe the combination of talent from the 2021 Chargers defense joined by Mack and Jackson should propel them into a Top 5 unit. Well, why do I not feel bold enough to pin them as favorites to boast the top pass defense in the league? I simply believe Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes will make it difficult for them to be the NFL’s top pass defense.

The Chargers might have had a modest pass defense in 2021, but they were far from an impressive defense overall. There were only two teams that gave up more points per game than the Chargers last season. I really believe Jackson will help the Chargers give up fewer big plays and Mack will “hulk smash” and be helpful in numerous ways, as well. The Chargers might play in the wild AFC West, but that’s not an excuse to be a completely dreadful defense. After all, the Denver Broncos had the second-best defense in PPG allowed in 2021. I expect the Chargers to take a significant jump in this pivotal category in 2022 (Top 10) and yield a terrifying defense moving forward.