Chargers open OTAs with some new faces, lofty expectations
COSTA MESA >> It’s easy to understand why the Chargers’ offseason expectations are lofty based on who was present Monday for the start of Organized Team Activities.
Khalil Mack and Kyle Van Noy walked onto the practice field together – two newcomers who didn’t need introductions to know their presence will improve the Chargers’ edge rushers group, which already featured Joey Bosa.
“Just having him around, you can definitely feel his presence,” Chargers star safety Derwin James said of Mack. “It’s good to have him.”
Chargers coach Brandon Staley said he felt confidence seeing Mack and Van Noy on the field. Now imagine what Staley would have felt if cornerback J.C. Jackson, the team’s prize of free agency, didn’t have a flight delay that caused him to
miss Monday’s practice. The Chargers didn’t mind Jackson’s airline trouble because he’s been present for most of the team’s offseason program.
New defensive linemen Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson are not established household names like Mack, Van Noy and Jackson, but their presence might be just as important because they were brought in to improve the run defense, arguably the biggest reason why the Chargers didn’t meet expectations last season and missed the postseason for the third consecutive season.
The Chargers have a shiny new defense and a young star quarterback in Justin Herbert, which is why many pundits are calling Staley’s Chargers Super Bowl contenders. Prominent NFL writer Peter King added to the offseason hype when he listed the Chargers as the No. 2 team on his latest power rankings, behind only the Buffalo Bills and ahead of the No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs and No. 4 Rams.
“I feel like expectations are a privilege,” James said last week. “For people to think highly of you … I think that’s a privilege.”
James, the leader of the Chargers’ defense, is flattered by the offseason compliments,
but he knows meeting expectations means more than just being present in May for voluntary workouts.
The Chargers have plenty of star power, but the start of OTAs was also a reminder that they have plenty of work to do from now until Week 1 of the 2022 season. Here are the biggest takeaways from a busy first day of OTAs:
Derwin’s contract
James only has one year left on his rookie deal, but it’s obvious he’s in the Chargers’ long-term plans.
He might be the Chargers’ best defensive player, which says a lot given the talent on the roster, and he was one of the player representatives, along with Herbert, for last
week’s groundbreaking ceremony for the team practice facility that’s scheduled to open in the summer of 2024.
But James doesn’t know when his agent David Mulugheta and the Chargers will strike a deal for a longterm extension. For now, James is more concerned about getting his new teammates acclimated.
“Whenever that takes care of itself, it will take care of itself,” James said of his contract. “My job right now is to help guys like Khalil Mack, (rookie safety) JT Woods get up to speed.”
Mack’s health status
Mack was limited during Monday’s practice, but Staley said it was more for precautionary
reasons to ease him back after he had foot surgery last season, which cut short his final season with the Chicago Bears, who traded Mack to the Chargers in March.
“He’s in really good shape,” Staley said. “He has a lot of confidence in where he’s at right now. We just want to make sure that we phase them in the right way. He’s going to be in all of the walkthrough stuff, jog-through stuff. But we want to make sure that in individual (period) that he just comes back the right way. He could probably go full speed right now.”
Where does Tillery fit?
Bosa, Jackson, wide receiver Mike Williams, running back Austin Ekeler and defensive lineman Jerry Tillery were among the notable players who didn’t participate in the voluntary workout Monday.
Tillery stood out because he’s not a proven player in the NFL, according to Staley. The Chargers had hoped that wouldn’t be questioned heading into Tillery’s fourth season in the league.
Tillery was one of the Chargers’ three starting interior defensive linemen last season, but the 2019 firstround pick had another inconsistent season and struggled against the run.
After the Chargers didn’t pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, Tillery will need to compete for a role on
the defensive line, and possibly for a roster spot with the many new faces that are in the mix. Staley hinted that Joseph-Day and Johnson will be starters, leaving one starting role in the base defense.
“He’s going to fit into that competition of guys that are going to have to earn a role,” Staley said of Tillery. “During this springtime and during training camp, all of those guys are going to really have to duke it out to establish themselves. Sebastian and Austin are proven NFL players. Mack is a proven NFL player. James is a proven NFL player. Then there are a bunch of guys that are trying to prove themselves, to earn their way in the league. I would put (Tillery) in that category.”
Tillery’s competitors were present for the start of OTAs, including Christian Covington, Morgan Fox and rookie Otito Ogbonnia.
Chemistry with the new tight end
The Chargers didn’t add many new faces on offense because of the production they had last season, but the team did sign a new tight end for Herbert.
Herbert raved about tight end Gerald Everett, the former playmaker for the Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
“He’s really athletic,” Herbert said. “He’s done a great job of breaking man coverage and getting open. He’s a
smart guy. We’ve spent a lot of time this offseason throwing together and getting a feel for each other timingwise. He’s done a great job so far.”
Same plan at right tackle
The Chargers have made several post-draft moves, but nothing significant enough for them to change their plans at right tackle.
Staley reiterated that Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins will compete for the starting role come training camp. But Staley did add that they are comfortable with their in-house backup plans in case Norton and Pipkins don’t impress this summer.
The Chargers added depth at offensive guard in the draft with Zion Johnson and Jamaree Salyer. They also recently claimed offensive lineman Zack Bailey off waivers. That depth would allow the Chargers to move left guard Matt Feiler to right tackle in case Norton and Pipkins don’t pan out.
“Both of those guys played quality football for us,” Staley said. “I think those guys are going to compete. Then we have several guys who have played right tackle – Matt Feiler being one of them. We have some of these young guys who played tackle in college. Again, there’s a lot of time between now and our first game, but I think those guys are going to duke it out.”