3 Chargers starters that could be benched with a bad training camp
By Jason Reed
LA Chargers training camp is officially underway as the team begins its journey toward a Super Bowl in 2023. The first week of camp has been interesting with certain players turning heads and other players already suffering injuries.
Training camp is an important time for every team as it not only helps the coaching staff carve out a 53-man roster but it also brings each player's role into focus. Training camp can definitely decide a starting job and there are several starting jobs that could be up for grabs.
Just because someone was a starter last year does not mean they are penciled in to be a starter this year. Here are those Chargers who need to turn in a solid camp in order to keep their role on the team.
3 Chargers starters who could be benched with a bad training camp:
Joshua Palmer
Joshua Palmer is battling for the WR3 spot with rookie first-round pick Quentin Johnston and some fans may already be penciling Johnston in as the WR3 in this offense. While he has looked solid in camp thus far, that role is still Palmer's to lose as the more experienced wide receiver.
It benefits the Chargers to pick their spots with Johnston and ease him into the NFL as the WR4 this season. The team doesn't need the rookie to play a massive role and in a perfect world, this would give him enough playing time without putting too much on his plate.
But still, if Palmer is not playing well in training camp then the Chargers may have no other option but to give Johnston more snaps as the WR3. It would take a bad camp from Palmer more so than a good camp from Johnston but it certainly is possible.
This may elevate Palmer's play to an even higher level and make him an even bigger difference-maker in 2023. Johnston is the shiny new toy for Chargers fans but let's not forget how good Palmer looked at different points of last season.