Solving the Chargers’ need for speed

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 15: Travis Benjamin #12 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts in the second quarter during a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 15: Travis Benjamin #12 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts in the second quarter during a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Mike Williams #81 and Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers line up before the snap against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Mike Williams #81 and Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers line up before the snap against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Chargers’ offense is in an obvious transition period at the moment. We know they will have their two best receivers back from last season but that is it right now.

It’s possible that the team loses Hunter Henry, Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler to free agency. I think they’ll keep Henry and Ekeler around, but you never know if a team comes out of nowhere and offers them a contract far superior to what the Chargers do.

Regardless of what happens with those three, the team needs to provide whoever starts at quarterback next year with better weapons at the wide receiver spot.

Expecting the team to follow this step-by step-process might be a little too much to ask, it’s just what I would do. That being said, the team absolutely has to bring at least two legitimate options into the position room this offseason.

Simply put, there needs to be an infusion of talent and speed at the position.

The four-step plan in summary:

1. Cut Travis Benjamin. 2. Sign a speedster veteran on the cheap. 3. Draft one on day two. 4. Draft a versatile X-factor on day three.

If the team does that, the quarterback will be in a much better position to succeed next year. As will the team’s other passing options.

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