4 toughest defenses Justin Herbert and the Chargers face in 2023

2. New York Jets

Coached by former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, the New York Jets have built a hard-nosed defense over the last two seasons that turned in one of the best performances in the entire sport last season.

There are so many blue-chippers on the defensive side of the ball that the Chargers are going to have to worry about. New York can get pressure on the quarterback by just bringing four rushers and can also benefit from coverage sacks when they have someone like Ahmad Gardner at corner.

New York ranked fifth in defensive DVOA, fourth in points allowed and fourth in total yards. New York did all of that while also having one of the worst quarterback situations in the entire sport, which also put added pressure on the defensive side of the ball.

With Aaron Rodgers under center and Breece Hall back healthy, the Jets are actually going to be able to do something on the offensive side of the ball and that will make this defense even more lethal.

While they ranked below the Dallas Cowboys in defensive DVOA, the fact that there are so many young players in New York that are only going to get better drives them home as the second-best defense the Chargers will face in 2023.