The LA Chargers have two preseason games under their belt and one more to go against the Seattle Seahawks. The Bolts are going up to Seattle for this game, making it the only game away from SoFi Stadium for the team in the preseason.
The Chargers are 1-1 in the preseason but the results are not what has mattered. What matters the most is how certain players are playing and how certain roster battles are shaping up.
Brandon Staley has been very cautious with his guys thus far. He announced before the preseason even began that Justin Herbert, Derwin James, Keenan Allen and more other notable starters would not be playing a single preseason snap.
Certain starters have played, though. The linebacking trio of Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White have all played. Asante Samuel played, Rashawn Slater played, the list goes on and on.
In the final preseason game, though, the LA Chargers should only play two starters.
The team had its version of dress rehearsal in Week 2 of the preseason and we know where we are at with most of the roster battles. Sure, there is still an undecided battle for the backup quarterback position but that obviously has nothing to do with the starters.
There really is no point to play any of the starters, that is, except for two starters in particular.
The two starting players that absolutely should be starting in this game are Nasir Adderley and Tyron Johnson. You could make the case for someone such as Josh Palmer, but for the time being, I am considering Johnson as the starter as he entered camp as the WR3.
That is part of the reason why he should be starting in this game. Johnson started off camp very strongly but has not followed it up well and all those fans that seemed to be so hot on him are now luke warm
There is a pretty good chance that Palmer takes the WR3 job earlier than expected with how sharp he has looked thus far in the preseason. To ultimately get the answer to who should be featured more in the offense, both Palmer and Johnson should be playing in this game.
Adderley should also be playing as the Chargers need him to get up to speed and be ready for the regular season. He has a big role in this defense as the starting free safety and with wish-wash safety depth behind him it is important that he plays well.
He did not play in the second preseason game as he was put on the covid-19/reserve list. Adderley was activated after the game and after not playing, it is important for him to get his reps in to get up to speed for the regular season.
Outside of that (and Josh Palmer if you count him), the LA Chargers should not be playing any other starters in the final preseason game. There is absolutely no reason to.