Los Angeles Chargers: 6 most underrated players in team history

Donnie Edwards, linebacker

When thinking of great Chargers linebackers, you’re going to immediately think of Junior Seau and Shawne Merriman, but Donnie Edwards is a guy who many forget. That, or they don’t remember him as fondly as they should because he may be better known for his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he had two separate stints.

But Edwards was a supremely talented linebacker who could be the best tackler on the field as well as drop back into coverage. In five seasons with the Chargers, Edwards had 17 interceptions, which is a ton for a linebacker. He returned two of those for touchdowns.

But he was a solid tackler as well, posting at least 100 tackles in each of his NFL seasons from 1998-2007, including every year in San Diego.

Officially credited with 535 tackles while with the Chargers, Edwards ranks seventh on the team’s all-time list in that category and each of the six guys ahead of him spent many more years with the team than the five that he was there.

Had Edwards played his entire career in San Diego, he would be remembered as one of the greats without any doubt. But he should still be remembered for five tremendous seasons with the team.

It just seemed like any time the defense needed a play, Edwards was there to make one.