The Los Angeles Chargers will be facing off against a lot of young running backs this upcoming season with a handful of veterans sprinkled in. Compared to other teams' run defenses over the past two years the Chargers have been near the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed per game.
With one of the best pass defenses in the league, the team’s run defense is definitely their Achilles heel. How they contend against this list of running backs can directly mirror how the season turns out for the Chargers.
The running back market this year has been a carousel of big names switching teams, possible holdouts, and some still waiting in free agency. With the Cowboys and Vikings sending Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook to free agency and Josh Jacobs potentially holding out unless he receives the money he believes he deserves, the Chargers may avoid playing some big-name veterans this season. By the start of the season, the running backs the Chargers face may still change though.
Honorable Mention: Josh Jacobs, LVR
Jacobs is being placed as an honorable mention for the fact that we do not know his status for the season with the Raiders. His potential holdout is looming still and there is a chance we will be seeing someone else lead the black and silver backfield this upcoming season. If Jacobs and the Raiders strike a deal and he plays this season though, he is easily near the top of the list here as he has had the Chargers number the past two seasons.
Best running backs the Chargers face: 5. David Montgomery, DET
Montgomery’s time in Chicago came with many highs and lows. There has been much talk of replacing him over the years and the time has finally come. The Bears brought in D’Onta Foreman and Montgomery found his way to division rival the Detroit Lions.
Through all the criticism, Montgomery still did produce four seasons over 800 yards with one 1,000+ season. He is one of the more experienced backs on this list and is coming into this 2023 season with a chip on his shoulder and has been quoted saying he “feels refreshed” and that losing sucked the fun out of football for him.
With a first-round rookie running back on the roster as well in Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery will get his chance to compete within his new team as well as alongside a team that is projected to win much more than what he has been used to.