LA Chargers countdown to 2020: Best number 70 in team history

We are 70 days away from seeing the LA Chargers back in action.

Counting today, we are officially 70 days away from the LA Chargers kicking off their 2020 season in Week 1 against first overall pick Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. That is, as long as everything goes as scheduled for the 2020 NFL season.

To count down the 2020 season, we have been naming the best players in franchise history to wear each number that coincides with the number of days remaining until Week 1. Thus far, not a single current member of the team has taken home the honors.

That will continue with the number 70, as the current listed number 70 on the Chargers is Trai Turner, who has not played a snap with the Bolts. Although Turner is solid, chances are that he would not have caught the best number 70, anyway.

The best number 70 is one of the greatest players in franchise history.

The best number 70 in LA Chargers’ history: Russ Washington

Russ Washington was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 1968 NFL Draft and actually started his career as wearing the number 85. However, the offensive and defensive lineman switched to number 70 in his third season in the league.

Washington is one of the greatest offensive linemen in franchise history and is one of the most unique players in team history as he spent time on both sides of the football. Washington spent a grand total of 15 years with the Chargers.

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Washington was a five-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro. He is a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame and is among the best in franchise history in terms of Approximate Value.

Washington compiled 141 AV in his career, 128 of it was earned while he was wearing the number 70. That is 79 AV more than the next best number 70 in team history. Washington ranks fifth all-time in AV among all Chargers players.

Washington has the most AV among any offensive lineman in team history as well, although he has the unique advantage of getting production on both sides of the football. But still, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest offensive linemen in team history.

It is unlikely that any player in team history ever surpasses Washington as the best ever. Not only would they have to piece together a career with the Bolts that lasted 15+ years, but they would have to be wearing the number 70 while doing so.

The chances of that are slim, so for that reason, I think it is safe to say that Washington’s status as the best number 70 ever is untouchable.