LA Chargers captains: The most surprising captain choice for 2021

Being named a captain to an NFL team is nothing to scoff at. While there are multiple captains, being voted as a captain by your peers is one of the best honors that a player can have. In 2021, the LA Chargers are going to be running with eight captains in total.

This is the first time that quarterback Justin Herbert is going to be a captain, which should become a mainstay for plenty of years. In no time he will have the C with four stars on his jersey as he should be the captain every single season from here on out, that is no surprise.

It also was not a surprise to see the likes of Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, Derwin James and Austin Ekeler be named captains. Those are the four next-best Chargers, in order (sorry, Derwin) and the best players typically get named captains.

Corey Linsley is in his first year with the team and that did not stop him from being named a captain. It is essentially a brand-new offensive line so it makes sense to name the veteran center who was an All-Pro last season as the captain.

Ty Long is not a surprise either, even if he is not the biggest name on the team. The special teams unit does need a captain and there is not a single person that stands out over Long. Perhaps with a solid rookie season, Amen Ogbongbemiga could become the special teams' captain.

The eighth captain of the Chargers is perhaps the most surprising. If you haven't seen who it is yet just take a guess of who it might be. The actual answer might be a bit shocking.

Linval Joseph has been voted as an LA Chargers captain.

Linval Joseph was the most surprising pick to me considering the team already had a member of the defensive line voted as a captain and Joseph has only been with the team one year. Joseph was fine last season, but he was not elite.

That is just a testament to his veteran expertise and the impact he is having on the young defensive linemen in LA. Being voted a captain is no small thing and Joseph earning the distinction has to feel good for the defensive tackle.

Personally, if I had to guess, I would have guessed that Kenneth Murray would have been voted a captain. He is only in his second year in the league but he has been with the Chargers just as long as Joseph has.

While he has been relieved of play-calling duties this season in favor of Derwin James, Murray was the one barking out orders to the defense at the end of last season. He is one of the best young inside linebackers in the sport and is the center of the Chargers' defense. It is surprising that he did not get the nod.

Kenneth Murray has plenty of chances to become a captain and if he keeps progressing in the league then he is going to be a captain next season. For 2021, though, Linval Joseph gets the C on his LA Chargers uniform.