EL SEGUNDO — When the Chargers started exploring the roster and everything before their arrival, general manager Joe Hortis, coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said the Chargers’ defense would be the best for the 2024 season. I decided that I could and should upgrade.
Small changes were made, minor adjustments that went largely unnoticed in the known world of football. But mainly there was buy-in from the players, which Hortis, Harbaugh and Minter noticed from the first day of spring practice. Even without major changes, the problem can be improved dramatically.
Veteran outside linebackers and defensive anchors Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack agreed to pay cuts in the offseason to allow Hortis to make his own move while remaining under the salary cap. According to Minter, it “gave an incredible atmosphere” to the events that followed.
Poona Ford strengthened the defensive line. Denzel Perryman did the same thing with his inside linebackers. Bud Dupree added depth to an already formidable outside linebacker corps. Defensive back Elijah Molden was the newest acquisition after training camp and was an impact player.
It quickly became clear that the Chargers had built something special. By mid-season, they had established themselves as the stingiest defense in the NFL, with a chance to concede the fewest points in a season for the first time since they were AFL champions in 1963.
The Chargers (10-6), who enter Sunday’s final regular-season game against the Raiders (4-12) in Las Vegas, are allowing the fewest points in the NFL at 17.6 points per game. They won the playoff game against the New England Patriots by allowing just one touchdown and one extra point.
“What we discovered, and I don’t know if (Harbaugh) said it or not, was something incredible going on here,” Minter said. “For whatever reason, it wasn’t like we had to change the attitude or work ethic of a bunch of guys. It was incredible from the moment we walked in the door, and I think it went both ways. ”
I’m proud that we finished the regular season with the best defense in the NFL right now.
“Cool, dude,” Mac said. “It’s a great goal, something I probably didn’t think I would get at the beginning of the season. It’s great to have that opportunity, that ability. We’ll take it into the postseason (next week) and improve. That’s the ultimate process for us at this point.”
On Thursday, Mack and safety Derwin James Jr. were selected to the Pro Bowl for the ninth and fourth time in their careers, respectively. They were honored, but they weren’t the only standouts on a defense that set high standards for success in the new regime’s first year.
“It would mean a lot because that was our ultimate goal,” James said after Sunday’s game against the Raiders about potentially acquiring the league’s top defenseman. “We analyze it every day to make it the best it can be. That’s our mindset. That’s our goal. We practice it every day.
“We’re coming out strong, we’re starting up fast. Games have to start fast, and I feel like we’ve started fast defensively all year. We finished the game well. So we We want to build on that. Everyone is working towards that. We’re definitely getting better as a team.”
Reporting an injury
The Chargers were without running back Gus Edwards (ankle) and wide receiver Joshua Palmer (foot) for Sunday’s game, but their availability for next weekend’s wild-card playoff game was uncertain. Linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) is questionable to play Sunday, and safety Alohi Gilman (hamstring) is also questionable. Gilman has been sidelined since being injured in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 25.
