5 dream scenarios for the LA Chargers in 2024

There are plenty of expectations attached to the LA Chargers in 2024 with Jim Harbaugh as the team's new head coach. Harbaugh has won everywhere he has coached and Chargers fans are now hoping that trend continues in Los Angeles.

If the Chargers are truly going to reach their ceiling they will need a few things to bounce their way. With a middle-of-the-road team like the Chargers, it is imperative to have several breaks go the team's way. Without them, the Bolts may not even sniff the playoffs.

Thankfully, the Chargers do not need to rely on anything far-fetched to be successful. LA's dream scenarios are all obtainable.

5 dream scenarios for the Chargers in 2024:

1. The running game is good enough to elevate Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert does not need a good rushing attack to be an elite quarterback. Fans have already seen him play at an elite level without that benefit. That being said, it certainly helps when a quarterback has a competent rushing game to lean on.

Los Angeles has been held back by the lack of a quality running game for years and if Greg Roman can truly implement his positive rushing offense then it should elevate Herbert's play, even if the counting numbers are not as high.

2. Trey Pipkins actually works as a right guard

Many assumed Trey Pipkins would be a swing tackle after the Chargers took Joe Alt with the fifth overall pick but that is not the case. Harbaugh confirmed Pipkins is in the driving seat to start at right guard, which would be brand new.

Pipkins has never played right guard before and his skill set seemingly doesn't lend itself to succeed at the position. The coaching staff seems to think he can pull it off, though, and his success will be imperative to the overall offensive line play.

3. Quentin Johnston makes a year-two leap

Quentin Johnston did not live up to the expectations of being a first-round pick in 2023 and is already on bust watch as a result. It wasn't just a case of Johnston not producing stats, he genuinely did not look ready to be a productive NFL wide receiver.

With the poor season behind him and an entire offseason of work, the hope is that Johnston can turn his career around quickly and get back on track. If Johnston takes a step up, even if he still doesn't look like a first-rounder, that will be a huge boost for this Chargers' passing attack.

4. Jesse Minter brings back All-Pro Derwin James

Derwin James progressively got worse with Brandon Staley as his dead coach. James simply was not used properly and instead of being the dynamic, versatile weapon that he can be, he was a struggling safety who was exposed in coverage.

James was legitimately below average for the Chargers last season. All of the highlight-reel, game-changing plays were replaced by blown coverages that cost the team. James started to regain his form after Staley was fired, but he still did not look like the prime version of himself.

With a new defensive coordinator in town in Jesse Minter, the hope is that James can elevate back to the level that fans know he can achieve.

5. The defensive line lives up to the hype

The Chargers' pass rush has the potential to be one of the best in the league. The edge rusher room is absolutely stacked with Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree all fighting for snaps and chances to get after the quarterback.

Los Angeles also has one of the most underrated interior pass rushers in the sport in Morgan Fox. With the ability to kick Mack or Tuipulotu inside on pass-rushing downs, the Chargers can create a truly terrifying group of pass rushers who can tilt the entire flow of a game.

The first step to being a Super Bowl-caliber team is having a great quarterback. The second step is having a great pass rush that can slow down other quarterbacks. If the Bolts are as good as it looks on paper, they can have both.