The Los Angeles Chargers open the 2023 NFL regular season against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 10 at SoFi Stadium.
The Chargers' roster from their 2022 playoff season returns mostly intact, led by fourth-year quarterback Justin Herbert, who in July signed a five-year, $262.5 million extension that keeps him with the team through the 2029 season.
While the Bolts didn't make a big splash with offseason player acquisitions, it is notable that they added former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to direct what is anticipated to be an explosive offense.
Defensively, the Bolts return their top playmakers, including edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and safety Derwin James Jr., plus gained a veteran leader by signing linebacker Eric Kendricks in free agency.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Chargers:
QUARTERBACK (2): Justin Herbert, Easton Stick
With his record-breaking contract extension that pays a league-high average of $52.5 million per season, Herbert is ensconced as the franchise quarterback. He will be expected to lead the Chargers to a second consecutive playoff appearance for the first time since 2008-09.
RUNNING BACK (3): Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller
The defending NFL touchdown leader (18), Ekeler returns for the final season of a four-year, $24.5 million contract that includes an additional $1.75 million in incentives that settled an offseason contract dispute. Ekeler is out to prove this offseason that he is worthy of another multi-year deal somewhere in the league.
FULLBACK (1): Zander Horvath
Watch for more to find creative ways to use Horvath, who caught two touchdown passes last season.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, John Hightower
Palmer won't be the forgotten receiver. When the Chargers selected Johnston with the 21st overall pick, it became widely assumed that the TCU product would take the No. 3 spot. However, Palmer -- who led the group with 72 receptions last season -- stepped up in training camp, proving again that he will play a significant role in this group.
TIGHT END (4): Gerald Everett, Donald Parham Jr., Stone Smartt, Tre' McKitty
Everett is the established starter, but Parham flashed throughout camp and proved that he can be an asset at the position, especially as a tall target in the passing game, if he remains healthy.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Corey Linsley, Jamaree Salyer, Trey Pipkins III, Will Clapp, Foster Sarell, Jordan McFadden, Zack Bailey
Slater, the sturdy Pro Bowl left tackle, returns after rehabilitating a surgically repaired left biceps tendon that caused him to spend 13 games on injured reserve last season. With Slater back in the lineup, Salyer is shifting from his fill-in role at left tackle to right guard and Johnson shifts from right guard, where he started every game as a rookie, to left guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Otito Ogbonnia, Morgan Fox, Nick Williams, Scott Matlock
Add David Moa to the group if Ogbonnia doesn't clear a physical to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP) list. As they dealt with injuries last season and even into training camp, this group could be an injury liability, or they could be among the deepest groups on the team given how many players have taken significant reps while others have been sidelined.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Chris Rumph II, Tuli Tuipulotu, Carlo Kemp
Bosa and Mack were expected to be among the top pass-rushing duos in the NFL in 2022, but Bosa spent 12 games on injured reserve after undergoing groin surgery. Now healthy, and with some added weight to produce more power, Bosa is determined to partner again with Mack to prove what they're capable of.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Eric Kendricks, Kenneth Murray Jr., Daiyan Henley, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga
Kendricks has played as advertised, demonstrating himself as a solid veteran and outstanding leader. But it's been Murray, the former first-round pick whose fifth-year option was not exercised, who has caught attention going into the season as a most-improved candidate.
CORNERBACK (5): J.C. Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr., Michael Davis, Ja'Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard
Training camp was touch-and-go for Jackson as he continues to recover from season-ending knee surgery and it's unclear if he'll be available to play Week 1 (or if he might play on a snap count). Samuel showed continued growth throughout camp, even as he shifted inside to the slot position.
SAFETY (4): Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman, JT Woods, Mark Webb Jr.
James continues to do it all for the defense, while Gilman proved capable of manning the spot alongside the All-Pro. As he prepares for a second season, Woods showed improvement but must continue to focus on defending explosive plays.
SPECIALISTS (3): Cameron Dicker (K), JK Scott (P), Josh Harris (LS)
The reality of the NFL is harsh; kicker Dustin Hopkins kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime last season despite suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the game. That injury appears to have cost him his job in L.A. for good, as it opened the door for Dicker to impress last season and into training camp.