COSTA MESA, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers open the 2023 NFL regular season against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 10 at SoFi Stadium.
Coming off their first playoff appearance since 2018, the Bolts return a host of playmakers who will attempt to earn back-to-back playoff berths for the first time in 13 years.
On offense, quarterback Justin Herbert enters his fourth season awaiting a massive contract extension, along with the expectation that he will have receivers Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and rookie first-round pick Quentin Johnston at his disposal, along with the defending NFL touchdowns leader in running back Austin Ekeler, who returns to the team after settling a contract dispute.
Defensively, edge rusher Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack expect to produce in 2023 what failed to come to fruition a year ago after Bosa missed most of the season due to a groin injury. Cornerback J.C. Jackson will attempt to earn the moniker "Mr. INT" once again after an uneven introductory season in L.A. that ended prematurely because of a knee injury. And All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr. is expected to lead a young secondary.
A look at our complete 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Justin Herbert, Easton Stick
In Year 3, Herbert proved his toughness, playing through broken rib cartilage during the first half of the schedule, then continuing on to the playoffs despite tearing the labrum in his left shoulder in Week 17. After leading the Bolts to their first postseason appearance in four seasons and with a pending contract extension that's anticipated to make him among the highest-paid players in the league, expectations will continue to rise for the fourth-year pro.
RUNNING BACK (3): Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller
Ekeler requested permission to seek a trade over the offseason, but eventually returned after testing the market and realizing there was none for a trade-and-sign running back. The Bolts added $1.75 million in incentives to Ekeler's four-year, $24.5 million deal, but this is anticipated to be his final season in L.A.
FULLBACK (1): Zander Horvath
There are no challengers at the position with Horvath coming off a rookie season that included five receptions for eight yards and two touchdowns.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Jalen Guyton, Derius Davis
With the anticipation that the Chargers will only carry two quarterbacks on the active roster this season, a departure from the three of years past, that means another roster spot to add elsewhere, so why not keep an extra playmaker at receiver? Guyton is the wild card, with Allen, Williams, Palmer and Johnston guaranteed spots, and Davis also a lock after he was selected with a fourth-round pick to be the returner.
TIGHT END (4): Gerald Everett, Donald Parham Jr., Tre' McKitty, Stone Smartt
This will be an important group to monitor throughout camp to see how it is utilized by new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. The Chargers were widely expected to pick a tight end early in the draft, but that selection never materialized and afterward Staley emphasized confidence in Parham, optimism that McKitty can return to form after a sophomore slump and that Smartt can develop into a dependable player.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Corey Linsley, Jamaree Salyer, Trey Pipkins III, Will Clapp, Foster Sarell, Brenden Jaimes, Jordan McFadden
Slater's season-ending injury in Week 3 last season dealt a considerable blow to the offense, but he returns healthy for Year 3 and eager to anchor what's anticipated to be a strong line. After filling in at left tackle as a rookie, Salyer will flip to right guard, while second-year pro Johnson will move to left guard to replace veteran Matt Feiler, who was not retained. Pipkins remains at right tackle after re-signing on a three-year, $21.75 million deal.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Otito Ogbonnia, Morgan Fox, Nick Williams, Scott Matlock
This position has caused issues recently for the Bolts -- two years ago due to a lack of skill and last season due to a lack of health. Johnson and Ogbonnia are both expected to fill significant roles coming off season-ending injuries, but the Bolts also added some insurance and depth by signing nine-year pro Williams and selecting rookie Matlock with a sixth-round pick from Boise State.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Chris Rumph II, Tuli Tuipulotu, Carlo Kemp
The Bosa and Mack partnership didn't come to fruition last season because of Bosa's season-ending groin surgery after Week 3, but the duo gets one more chance to prove that it can be among the best in the league. The question will be depth. Veteran Kyle Van Noy provided it a year ago, but he was not retained, which means Rumph -- who struggled as a fill in last season -- must step up or the Bolts will turn to Tuipulotu, a 20-year-old rookie from USC.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Eric Kendricks, Kenneth Murray Jr., Daiyan Henley, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga
Kendricks quickly earned rave reviews as a leader and communicator from coaches and teammates after joining the team in the offseason on a two-year, $13.25 million deal. He provides a veteran boost to a group that includes the rookie Henley, a third-round pick from Washington State, and Murray, who is playing for a contract after the Bolts declined the fifth-year option for the 2020 first-round pick.
CORNERBACK (5): J.C. Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr., Michael Davis, Ja'Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard
This group is a wild card. It could flourish or become a blemish in the Bolts' roster construction. Jackson must prove that he is capable of not only returning from a significant right knee injury (torn patellar tendon), but that his play is worthy of the five-year, $82.5 million contract the Chargers awarded him before last season.
After not retaining slot corner Bryce Callahan, who led the team with three interceptions last season, Taylor could be expected to step up after minimal contributions in his rookie season.
SAFETY (4): Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman, JT Woods, Mark Webb Jr.
Gilman took over Nasir Adderley's starting role in the postseason after proving himself dependable. Now, with Adderley retired, Gilman must prove that he can continue to elevate his game alongside James. Training camp will be critical for continued development of young players and depth.
SPECIALISTS (3): Cameron Dicker (K), JK Scott (P), Josh Harris (LS)
Training camp opens with a kicking competition between Dicker and Dustin Hopkins. Hopkins propelled the Chargers to a Week 6 19-16 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos, but lost his season because of a hamstring injury suffered during the effort, which also could cost him his job. Dicker came on in Week 9 and made 24 of 26 field goal attempts, earning himself a chance to retain the job this season.