Did the Chargers finally establish an offensive identity during their 26-8 victory Sunday over the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium? Or are they still shy of meeting their own expectations after improving their record to 4-3 this season? Here’s what we learned, what we heard and what comes next:
Coach Jim Harbaugh referred a question Sunday about the upcoming trade deadline to General Manager Joe Hortiz, but it was a fair question for each of them to address. Clearly, the Chargers could use another experienced, skilled target for quarterback Justin Herbert.
Mike Williams, a former Chargers wide receiver who has fallen out of favor with the New York Jets, might be available before next Tuesday’s deadline. Williams, Derius Davis, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Joshua Palmer could provide Herbert with plenty of options for the season’s second half.
Add veteran DJ Chark, who hasn’t played this season because of injuries, and Williams, who played seven standout seasons with the Chargers before he was jettisoned in a cost-cutting move in the offseason, to the mix and Herbert could have a formidable selection of targets moving forward.
Williams has recovered from a knee injury suffered in Week 3 last season, but he has started only two of eight games for the Jets, and he has only 11 receptions on 19 targets with zero touchdowns. He was on the field for 36 of 62 snaps, but wasn’t targeted once Sunday against the New England Patriots.
Newly acquired wide receiver Davante Adams has assumed the role Williams seemed to have secured after signing with the Jets. Adams, who was traded Oct. 15 from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Jets, caught four passes on six targets for 54 yards in New York’s 25-22 loss to the Patriots.
Asked about the upcoming trade deadline, Harbaugh said simply on Sunday, “That’s a Joe Hortiz question. I know he’s always, he’s got our back, he’s got our front, he’s got both sides, front, back and sides. I know he is always going to be doing whatever he can to help our team.”
In other words, stay tuned.
Something could be in the works by Tuesday.
Hortiz seems much more willing to alter the roster, as evidenced by a flurry of moves during the closing days of training camp. He is unlike his predecessor, Tom Telesco, who was inactive at the trade deadline in recent seasons. Hortiz indicated earlier this month he would be on the lookout for potential deals.
“I think we’ll always be listening and looking,” Hortiz said Oct. 2. “Again, it’s the right opportunity that makes sense for our roster and for the future and for our right now and for the future. You’ve got to evaluate all opportunities for a short-term and immediate impact and then the long-term impact.”
As expected, outside linebacker Joey Bosa’s participation was limited Sunday. He said as much going into the game. In the end, he played 20 out of 71 total defensive snaps, or 27%, in his return to the field after sitting out the past three games because of a hip injury sustained in Week 3.
Actually, he might as well have been sidelined for the past four games because he was injured on the very first defensive play in the Chargers’ loss Sept. 22 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was not credited with a tackle against the Saints, but it was enough to have rejoined the lineup.
The Chargers have made do with a pass-rushing rotation of Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree in Bosa’s absence, and they have been one of the many reasons the defense is the NFL’s stingiest through eight weeks. The Chargers have given up a league-low 13 points per game.
Bosa played only nine games last season and five in 2022 because of injuries.
“I feel like I’ve been letting my team down by missing these games,” Bosa said last week in his first public comments since he was injured. “Letting everybody down. Letting coaches down. Letting the organization down. Letting myself down and it just (stinks) how these years have gone, the last few years.”
The Chargers (4-3) travel to Cleveland to face the Browns (2-6) on Sunday. The Chargers have won two of three and might have a three-game winning streak if not for a clunker of a loss to the Cardinals on Oct. 21. The Browns rallied behind Jameis Winston to upset the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday.
