A monumental win over the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday propelled the LA Chargers to their second-straight 10-win season and all but locked up a trip to the NFL Playoffs. One of the most important players in the win was someone who fans never would have expected four months ago.
Veteran cornerback Benjamin St-Juste played a pivotal role in Sunday's win in putting a cap on the Chiefs' passing attack. St-Juste did not allow a catch in his 14 coverage snaps on Sunday and broke up the lone pass that was targeted his way. Sure, it may have come with a potential pass interference, but it wasn't called so it doesn't matter.
St-Juste's strong performance continues what has been a breakout year for the 2021 third-round pick. After four paltry seasons with the Washington Commanders, it looked like St-Juste's career was beyond saving and many questioned why the Chargers even signed him in the first place (including us here at Bolt Beat).
Well, just like they did last season with Kristian Fulton. the Chargers have resurrected St-Juste's career. And in doing so, they have justified the offseason move that was critiqued the most.
Chargers are fully vindicated for Benjamin St-Juste signing
St-Juste signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Chargers as a flier this past offseason. It appeared at the time even the Chargers weren't sure if he could live up to the highlights on his tape, as the Bolts structured it in a way they could get out of the contract before the season without too much of an opportunity cost.
Strangely enough, St-Juste didn't even have a standout training camp nor preseason. He didn't play poorly enough to warrant an aggressive decision by the Chargers, but it didn't look like he turned a huge corner, either.
His play during the regular season has been a different story. While he hasn't been perfect, St-Juste has been reliable in the role the Chargers have baked in for him this season. The veteran corner has logged a 75.1 Pro Football Focus grade with a 75.5 coverage grade.
He's allowed 15 catches in the 185 coverage snaps he's played this season. Quarterbacks have a 68.3 passer rating when targeting St-Juste this season.
The Chargers have the benefit of playing St-Juste in very specific situations in nickel and dime packages. With Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart and Donte Jackson all ahead of him on the depth chart, St-Juste has been afforded the opportunity to play a smaller, yet more effective, role.
It's been a definitive win for a Chargers defense that has been one of the best in the league this season. And because the Chargers have done it twice now with two different cornerbacks in consecutive years, there's no more doubting the defensive fliers the Bolts sign during the offseason.