The 2023 season was the Los Angeles Chargers' 54th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 64th overall, their eighth in the Greater Los Angeles Area, their fourth playing their home games at SoFi Stadium, their eleventh and final under general manager Tom Telesco and their third and final under head coach Brandon Staley. The Chargers failed to improve on their 10–7 record from the previous season following a Week 12, 20–10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. They then guaranteed a worse record following a Week 14, 24–7 loss to the Denver Broncos. Following a Week 15 blowout loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, both Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco were fired. With a Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Chargers were eliminated from playoff contention.The Chargers are eliminated from the playoffs, vault into top-5 draft slot, DraftWire, December 24, 2023
Already struggling with a 5–7 start, the Chargers were dealt with a devastating blow when they lost franchise quarterback, Justin Herbert following a week 14 loss to the Denver Broncos to a broken finger. Los Angeles lost 7 games decided by 3 points or less, the most in the NFL. Their .294 winning percentage was their worst since 2015 when they were based in San Diego.
The Los Angeles Chargers drew an average home attendance of 69,736 in 9 home games in the 2023 NFL season.
Roster changes
Free agency
Unrestricted PositionPlayer2023 teamDate signedContractFSNasir AdderleyRetiredCBBryce CallahanKRDeAndre CarterLas Vegas RaidersMarch 30, 20231 year, $1.5 millionCWill ClappLos Angeles ChargersApril 6, 20231 year, $1.18 millionDEChristian CovingtonDetroit LionsMay 10, 20231 year, $1.165 millionQBChase DanielRetiredNTTyeler DavisonDEMorgan FoxLos Angeles ChargersMarch 15, 20232 years, $7.25 millionOTTrey PipkinsLos Angeles ChargersMarch 14, 20233 years, $21.75 millionILBTroy ReederMinnesota VikingsMarch 22, 20231 year, $1.2325 millionTERichard RodgersPJ. K. ScottLos Angeles ChargersMarch 17, 20232 years, $4 millionQBEaston StickLos Angeles ChargersMarch 13, 20231 year, $1.8 millionILBDrue TranquillKansas City ChiefsMarch 17, 20231 year, $5 millionLBKyle Van Noy
Restricted and exclusive-rights PositionPlayerTag2023 teamDate signedContractWRMichael BandyERFAHouston Roughnecks (XFL)March 29, 20231 yearKERFALos Angeles ChargersMarch 14, 20231 year, $705 thousandDEBreiden FehokoERFAPittsburgh SteelersMarch 30, 20231 year, $940 thousandDEJoe GazianoRFAAtlanta FalconsMarch 27, 20231 year, $1.01 millionWRJalen GuytonRFALos Angeles ChargersApril 17, 20231 year, $1.2325 millionCBKemon HallERFALos Angeles ChargersMarch 22, 20231 year, $940 thousandDEForrest MerrillERFASeattle SeahawksMay 15, 20231 year, $870 thousandOTStorm NortonRFANew Orleans SaintsMarch 16, 20231 year, $1.01 millionTEDonald ParhamRFALos Angeles ChargersMarch 17, 20232 years, $2.65 millionOTFoster SarellERFALos Angeles ChargersMarch 14, 20231 year, $705 thousandDEDerrek TuszkaRFA
Futures Shortly after the end of their 2022 season, the Chargers signed twelve players on their practice squad to reserve/future free agent contracts.
PositionPlayerDate signedOTZack BaileyJanuary 17, 2023WRKeelan DossWRJohn HightowerCBMichael JacquetTEHunter KampmoyerOLBCarlo KempILBTyreek Maddox-WilliamsNTDavid MoaGAusten PleasantsRBLarry Rountree IIIOLBTy ShelbyFSMark Webb
Signings PositionPlayerPrevious teamDate signedContractILBEric KendricksMinnesota VikingsMarch 15, 20232 years, $13.25 millionDEC. J. OkoyeNone (IPPP)May 4, 20233 years, $2.695 millionDENick WilliamsNew York GiantsMay 18, 20231 year, $1.23 millionWRDarrius ShepherdSt. Louis Battlehawks (XFL)June 2, 20231 year, $940 thousandWRMilton WrightPurdue (FBS)July 26, 20231 year, $750 thousandILBBlake LynchArizona CardinalsJuly 28, 20231 year, $940 thousandOTMatt KaskeyBirmingham Stallions (USFL)August 9, 20231 year, $940 thousandRBAaron ShampklinIndianapolis ColtsAugust 15, 20231 year, $750 thousandCBMatt HankinsBirmingham Stallions (USFL)August 16, 20231 year, $750 thousandILBTae CrowderPittsburgh SteelersAugust 22, 20231 year, $1.01 millionCBChris WilcoxPittsburgh SteelersSeptember 1, 20231 year, $216 thousand
Retirements Free safety Nasir Adderley announced his retirement on March 16. Adderley was drafted by the Chargers in 2019 and appeared in 50 games in four seasons. PositionPlayerDate retiredFSNasir AdderleyMarch 16, 2023QBChase DanielSeptember 5, 2023
Releases/waivers PositionPlayer2023 teamDate released/waivedGMatt FeilerTampa Bay BuccaneersMarch 14, 2023LBDamon LloydBirmingham Stallions (USFL)May 31, 2023LBTyreek Maddox-WilliamsPhiladelphia EaglesJuly 28, 2023OTNic MelsopInjury settlementAugust 9, 2023RBLarry Rountree IIIHouston TexansAugust 14, 2023CBKemon HallInjury settlementAugust 16, 2023OTAndrew TrainerAugust 23, 2023WRKeelan DossPractice squadAugust 29, 2023OLBBrevin AllenOTZack BaileySTyler Baker-WilliamsAugust 29, 2023CJohari BranchCBCam BrownWRTerrell BynumPractice squadAugust 29, 2023NTJerrod ClarkLBTae CrowderAugust 29, 2023QBMax DugganPractice squadAugust 29, 2023LBNathan EastAugust 29, 2023TEMichael EzeikeLBAndrew FarmerPractice squadAugust 29, 2023CBMatt HankinsWRJohn HightowerAugust 29, 2023RBTyler HoosmanCBMichael JacquetLBMikel JonesTEHunter KampmoyerPractice squadAugust 29, 2023LBCarlo KempDETerrance LangAugust 29, 2023NTDavid MoaCBTiawan MullenPhiladelphia EaglesAugust 29, 2023DEC. J. OkoyePractice squadAugust 29, 2023GAusten PleasantsRBAaron ShampklinAugust 29, 2023OLBTy ShelbyCIsaac WeaverCBMark Webb Jr.WRPokey WilsonOTMatt KaskeyInjury settlementAugust 29, 2023ILBBlake LynchInjury settlementWRDarrius ShepherdInjury settlementCBAmechi UzodinmaAugust 29, 2023WRMilton WrightInjury settlementAugust 29, 2023Roster cut to 53 on August 29FBZander HorvathPittsburgh SteelersAugust 30, 2023
Contract extensions PositionPlayerDate signedContractQBJustin HerbertApril 28, 2023Fifth-year optionJuly 25, 20235 years, $262.5 million
Player trades PositionPlayerFrom/toDate tradedForKDustin HopkinsCleveland BrownsAugust 28, 20232025 seventh-round pick
Practice squad elevations Each NFL team is permitted to elevate up to two players from the practice squad to the active game day roster per week, with those designated players being allowed to return to the practice squad up to two times without being exposed to waivers. If a practice squad player is elevated to the game day roster for a third time, that player will be required to clear waivers before returning to the practice squad. Teams are also permitted to protect a maximum of four practice squad players to prevent opposing teams from signing those players to their active rosters.
Week Player(s) promoted Source 1 OLB Brevin Allen
Injuries July 26: Wide receiver Jalen Guyton, nose tackle Austin Johnson, and defensive end Otito Ogbonnia were placed on the PUP list. August 16: Cornerback Kemon Hall was waived with an injury designation. August 17: Defensive lineman Austin Johnson was activated from the PUP list. Kemon Hall was placed on injured reserve.
NFL draft
+ 2023 Los Angeles Chargers draft selections Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 21 Quentin Johnston WR TCU 2 54 Tuli Tuipulotu OLB USC 3 85 Daiyan Henley ILB Washington State 4 125 Derius Davis WR TCU 5 156 Jordan McFadden OT Clemson 6 200 Scott Matlock DT Boise State from LA Chargers via Chicago 7 239 Max Duggan QB TCU
+ 2023 Los Angeles Chargers undrafted free agents Name Position College Ref. Brevin Allen OLB Campbell Tyler Baker-Williams S North Carolina State Johari Branch C Maryland Cam Brown CB Ohio State Terrell Bynum WR USC Jerrod Clark DL Coastal Carolina Elijah Dotson RB Northern Colorado Nathan East LB Samford Michael Ezeike TE UCLA Andrew Farmer OLB Lane A. J. Finley S Mississippi Tyler Hoosman RB North Dakota Mikel Jones LB Syracuse Terrance Lang DL Colorado Nicolas Melsop T Delta State Tiawan Mullen CB Indiana AJ Uzodinma CB Ball State Pokey Wilson WR Florida State Milton Wright WR Purdue
Draft trades
Staff
Coaching changes 2023 Los Angeles Chargers Staff ChangesCoach Position Reason left Replacement Joe Lombardi Offensive coordinator Fired Kellen Moore Shane Day Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Fired Doug Nussmeier Michael Wilhoite Linebackers coach Fired Jeff Howard Isaac Shewmaker Defensive quality control coach Accepted job with Denver Broncos Robert Muschamp Renaldo Hill Defensive coordinator Accepted job with Miami Dolphins Derrick Ansley Derrick Ansley Secondary coach Promoted to defensive coordinator Tom Donatell Tom Donatell Assistant secondary coach Promoted to defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Will Harris Damon Mitchell Head athletic trainer Fired Sal López Marco Zucconi Associate athletic trainer Promoted to Director of Player Health and Performance None
Final roster
Preseason The Chargers' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on May 16, 2023. The Chargers held joint practices with the New Orleans Saints on August 17 and 18 at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, California. Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Los Angeles Rams W 34–17 1–0 SoFi Stadium Recap 2 August 20 New Orleans Saints L 17–22 1–1 SoFi Stadium Recap 3 at San Francisco 49ers W 23–12 2–1 Levi's Stadium Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 10 Miami Dolphins L 34–36 0–1 SoFi Stadium Recap 2 September 17 at Tennessee Titans L 24–27 0–2 Nissan Stadium Recap 3 September 24 at Minnesota Vikings W 28–24 1–2 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap 4 October 1 Las Vegas Raiders W 24–17 2–2 SoFi Stadium Recap 5 Bye 6 Dallas Cowboys L 17–20 2–3 SoFi Stadium Recap 7 October 22 at Kansas City Chiefs L 17–31 2–4 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 8 October 29 Chicago Bears W 30–13 3–4 SoFi Stadium Recap 9 at New York Jets W 27–6 4–4 MetLife Stadium Recap 10 November 12 Detroit Lions L 38–41 4–5 SoFi Stadium Recap 11 November 19 at Green Bay Packers L 20–23 4–6 Lambeau Field Recap 12 November 26 Baltimore Ravens L 10–20 4–7 SoFi Stadium Recap 13 December 3 at New England Patriots W 6–0 5–7 Gillette Stadium Recap 14 December 10 Denver Broncos L 7–24 5–8 SoFi Stadium Recap 15 at Las Vegas Raiders L 21–63 5–9 Allegiant Stadium Recap 16 Buffalo Bills L 22–24 5–10 SoFi Stadium Recap 17 December 31 at Denver Broncos L 9–16 5–11 Empower Field at Mile High Recap 18 January 7 Kansas City Chiefs L 12–13 5–12 SoFi Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 2: at Tennessee Titans
The Chargers blew an 11–0 lead and lost to the Titans, 27–24, in overtime, on a 41-yard field goal by Nick Folk. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 0–2.
Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 4: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 7: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 8: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 9: at New York Jets
Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions
The Chargers recorded their first home loss to the Lions, ending a five-game home winning streak against them.
Week 11: at Green Bay Packers
Week 12: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 13: at New England Patriots The Chargers defeated the Patriots for the first time since 2008, and in New England for the first time since 2005.
Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos
In addition to losing the game, the Chargers lost quarterback Justin Herbert for the rest of the season to a finger injury in the 2nd quarter. This was the last game Keenan Allen played for the team as he was traded in the 2024 off-season.
Week 15: at Las Vegas Raiders
The Chargers suffered one of the worst losses in franchise history, as the Raiders set a franchise record for most points scored in a game just four days after being shut out. The Chargers turned the ball over five times and allowed 35 points off turnovers. The day after the game, the Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. They extended their losing streak in Las Vegas to 3 games.
Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills