LA Chargers News: The Bolts name team captains ahead of Week 1

LA Chargers News: The team’s captains have been named.

The LA Chargers are just a few days away from returning to action after what has felt like the longest NFL offseason ever. The Chargers take on the Bengals to open the season.

Almost everything has been tidied up for the season. The final roster has been decided, practice squad players have been assigned and the team’s first depth chart has been released. The one thing missing was the team captains.

The captains were announced by the team on Twitter on Wednesday and were voted on by the players. Some players included were expected, others were a bit of a surprise.

https://twitter.com/Chargers/status/1303774682630348801

Four of the five were expected, let’s be honest. Casey Hayward is one of the longest-tenured players on the team and is the foundation of the secondary. Melvin Ingram is the longest-tenured player on the team with Philip Rivers gone and although he is not the best edge rusher on the team, he deserves to be the captain.

Mike Pouncey is no longer the oldest player on the offensive line, as that honor goes to Bryan Bulaga, who is three months older, but Pouncey is already an existing member of the offensive line and is a born leader.

This might be Tyrod Taylor‘s first season as a starter on the Chargers but he is also a fantastic leader and is the leader of the offensive side of the ball. He might not be brash like Philip Rivers, but he is just as good of a leader to have under center.

The surprising addition was Hunter Henry. Henry is a great player, don’t get me wrong, but he is on the younger side and there are several players you can pick ahead of him on offense. Keenan Allen is the first name that jumps off the page and he probably should have been it, as he is the longest-tenured member of the offense and is the face of the offense.

Even someone like Austin Ekeler, who is a natural-born leader and great success story, would have been less shocking than Hunter Henry.

But hey, that is a testament to how he is perceived in the locker room and if he stays completely healthy this season the fact that he is held in this high of a regard might be good for his chances of re-signing.

The LA Chargers really value good characters in the locker room and Henry is obviously that. I know it sounds trivial, but this absolutely could have a good impact on future contract negotiations for Henry.