The LA Chargers dropped to 4-3 on the season with an ugly loss to the Seattle Seahawks that has upset the fanbase. While the Bolts have a winning record, they do not have a definitive win yet this season and already have two blowout losses in which they were severely outplayed and outcoached.
If Cade York drills the game-winning field goal in Week 5 and the Broncos don't muff the punt in overtime in Week 6 then this team could very well be 2-5. Los Angeles has the sixth-worst point differential in the entire NFL.
One of the main reasons why the team has struggled in these games is a sputtering offense. While it looked great against bad defenses in Houston and Cleveland, it has not been able to consistently look great. We weren't worried after the win over Denver but after Week 7, there is some cause for concern.
Some fans may simply point to the play-calling as the main reason why the offense is sputtering. While that is part of it, there is something much bigger going on and the play-calling is only one part of the blame pie.
From the smallest reason why to the largest, let's break down why this Chargers offense is struggling, and what the team can do to change course.
Why the Chargers offense is sputtering, a blame pie:
Justin Herbert isn't the same quarterback post-ribs injury: 10%
Justin Herbert simply has not been the same player since he fractured his rib cartilage in Week 2 and it is not hard to see why. That is a very painful injury that not only is going to impact how he throws the football but how he reacts to pressure and a closing pocket.
Herbert has made some ill-advised decisions that he normally would not make in recent weeks, which seem to be influenced by his ribs and not wanting to get hit. Granted, the offensive line has not been great (more on that later), but Herbert has proven in the past that he can elevate his play behind a bad offensive line.
Justin Herbert hasn't had a good game (for his standards) since the Houston game and overall, his only good games this year are against Houston, Kansas City and Jacksonville. He is obviously not himself and that definitely has an impact. Granted, an 80% Justin Herbert is still better than most quarterbacks in the league but with the other issues going on, him not playing up to his full potential does make an impact.
The solution:
The only solution for this is more time. Getting the bye week to completely shut down and rest is going to do wonders for Herbert, but it is still something that he is going to be dealing with for several more weeks. That is simply the fact of the matter and one that the Chargers have to live with and adjust to.
The Chargers' play-calling: 30%
The Chargers' play-calling certainly has not been perfected but it is not the main reason why this team is struggling this season. That is not to say that Joe Lombardi has been perfect, but he has been fine (at times) with the hand that has been dealt to him.
There are certain route concepts and overall philosophies that need to be changed about this offense, I am not going to deny that. But the feeling that the Chargers have become a check-down offense because of Lombardi is absurd.
Justin Herbert is checking down as often as he is because the other looks are not getting open downfield and the protection is not there. Herbert is a master at getting through his progressions and these little flats to Austin Ekeler are not the designed first read. He is processing quickly, and getting the ball to his check-down receiver.
There is a bigger factor that weighs heavier on the play-calling that fans seem to be overlooking. Changing the play-caller might spark the team and they could improve, but it is not going to suddenly fix the other problems that this team has.
The solution:
Changing to Shane Day certainly is an option and at this point, it might not hurt to try. I think we are going to see Brandon Staley focus more on offense coming out of the bye week and if things don't improve in 2-3 weeks, then we see the change.
The main improvement that this team can make right now in terms of the play-calling is something that Daniel Popper alluded to in his post-game live stream. This team needs to figure out what it is good at, especially at running the ball, and lean into that.
The Chargers have been one-dimensional offensively and as great as Herbert is, that is never going to lead to success. LA needs to figure out what it is good at in terms of running the ball and lean into that. It is no surprise that the team's best games this season were when they ran the ball well.
In the bye week, the team should first be looking to answer that question and build from the ground up depending on what the answer is.
The Chargers' roster construction: 60%
The Chargers ignored depth in key areas and that is burning the team right now. Despite suffering injuries to these position groups, the team has not brought in any help at offensive line or at wide receiver this season.
As great as Jamaree Salyer is doing, he still is not Rashawn Slater. It also hurts when the only other option is Storm Norton, especially when Trey Pipkins has not been 100% the last two weeks but has to play anyway because the alternative is so awful.
Receiver is a better example of roster malpractice as the team had the perfect reason to bring in help after Jalen Guyton got hurt, but they didn't (practice squad lifers don't count). Now with Mike Williams missing time with an ankle sprain, the Chargers' receiver depth will continue to be challenged.
Just look at who Justin Herbert was throwing to in Week 7 in the second half. After Williams' injury, with Keenan Allen on a snap count, Herbert had a glorified special teamer for life as his best option. Outside of that, Herbert was literally throwing to practice squad receivers.
It isn't just the lack of depth, though. It is the kind of receivers that the Chargers have brought in. You cannot be this explosive dynamic offense that throws the ball deep when you don't have receivers that are deep threats.
The solution:
This is something that isn't going to be changed this season as it is a fundamental problem with how this roster is built. That being said, the Chargers can bandage the issue by bringing in receiver help before the NFL trade deadline.
Whether it be Elijah Moore, Kendrick Bourne, or whatever other receivers the Chargers can trade for. This team needs established receiver help more than ever and if they go into Week 9 without adding help for Justin Herbert then it would be yet another example of roster malpractice.