The Los Angeles Chargers have reached the playoffs only twice since 2010, but this offseason, they've been wheeling and dealing like a franchise that's hellbent on extending its championship window and entering win-now mode. After all, what's the alternative in an AFC West division with Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr, and now Russell Wilson?
On Monday, the Chargers signed the league's top free agent cornerback in J.C. Jackson to a whopping five-year contract worth $82.5 million, and also reached deals with run-stuffers Austin Johnson and Sebastian Joseph-Day. These contracts were completed four days after Los Angeles acquired star linebacker Khalil Mack in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears. With this revamped defense, the Chargers are all-in on a Super Bowl push.
"If Carr is the worst quarterback in your division, then goodness gracious -- it's going to be a dogfight," former NFL tackle Ephraim Salaam explained to the Reiter Than You show on Tuesday. "It's going to be must-see television when they get into divisional play, every week. Goodness. And the goliaths they have at QB... The Chargers are poised to make a real run at this thing.
"I love what they're doing in free agency. And I love, offensively, what Justin Herbert brings... And just getting that defense stronger than it already was, it's going to be a tremendous help for Herbert and that offense. Just adding Mack and Jackson? Oof, goodness gracious. This is going to be interesting. The battle for L.A. intensifies."
Los Angeles' hopes of making the playoffs in 2021 were dashed in Week 18, as they lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Las Vegas Raiders in overtime at Allegiant Stadium. And the stakes couldn't have been higher. With a tie, both teams would've actually clinched a wild-card berth. But, highly questionable strategy from Chargers head coach Brandon Staley in the extra period wiped away that possibility, and ultimately pushed the Raiders to a thrilling win.
Suffice to say, Los Angeles' defense will benefit from the latest acquisitions. In 17 games last season, the unit ranked 30th in the league in average points allowed (27.0), 23rd in average yards (360.1), 30th in average rushing yards (138.9), and tied for 16th in takeaways (21). The Chargers also had the third-cheapest unit, based on cash spending in 2021 ($66.4 million), per ESPN.
The entire NFL conversation between Salaam and Reiter can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Reiter Than You show on Twitter @sportsreiter and @CBSSportsRadio, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.