Chargers Rb
The Enigma of the Los Angeles Chargers’ Running Back Dilemma: A Critical Investigation The Los Angeles Chargers have long been a franchise defined by high-powered offenses, yet their running game has remained a persistent question mark.
Despite boasting elite quarterbacks like Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert, the team has struggled to establish a consistent ground attack.
The Chargers’ running back (RB) position has been a revolving door of talent some drafted, some acquired via free agency yet none have cemented themselves as long-term solutions.
This investigative piece delves into the complexities of the Chargers’ RB situation, examining draft failures, injury woes, coaching decisions, and systemic flaws that have plagued the franchise.
Thesis Statement The Chargers’ struggles at running back stem from a combination of poor draft evaluations, injury mismanagement, and questionable offensive schemes, raising concerns about the organization’s ability to develop a sustainable rushing attack in a pass-dominated NFL.
Draft Misfires and Missed Opportunities The Chargers’ draft history at RB reveals a pattern of miscalculations.
In 2020, they selected Joshua Kelley in the fourth round, a player with collegiate production but limited explosiveness.
Kelley’s career yards per carry (3.
8) ranks among the lowest for RBs with 200+ attempts since 2020 (Pro Football Reference).
Similarly, Larry Rountree III (2021, 6th round) failed to make an impact, averaging just 2.
6 YPC before being cut.
Meanwhile, the Chargers passed on Jonathan Taylor in 2020, opting instead for linebacker Kenneth Murray.
Taylor, who rushed for over 1,800 yards in 2021, exemplifies the kind of elite talent the Chargers have lacked.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.
noted in his 2020 draft recap that the Chargers “prioritized defense over a potential game-changing RB,” a decision that has haunted them.
Injury Woes and Medical Concerns The Chargers’ RB room has been decimated by injuries, raising questions about conditioning and medical staff competency.
Austin Ekeler, while productive, has battled multiple high-ankle sprains and a 2023 hamstring injury that sidelined him for four games.
Backup Isaiah Spiller (2022, 4th round) missed significant time in his rookie year with an undisclosed lower-body injury, fueling speculation about the team’s injury prevention protocols.
A 2022 study by the found that soft-tissue injuries (hamstrings, ankles) are often linked to workload mismanagement.
The Chargers ranked in the bottom five in RB injury frequency from 2019-2023 (NFL Injury Analytics), suggesting systemic issues in player maintenance.
Scheme and Coaching Missteps Former offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi was criticized for an overly pass-heavy approach, with the Chargers ranking 29th in rush attempts in 2022.
Even with Ekeler’s dual-threat ability, the team frequently abandoned the run early, making them one-dimensional.
New OC Kellen Moore promised balance, but early 2023 trends showed only marginal improvement.
Football Outsiders’ DVOA metric ranked the Chargers’ run game 22nd in efficiency, indicating that scheme not just personnel is a problem.
Contract and Salary Cap Complications Ekeler’s 2023 holdout highlighted another issue: the Chargers’ reluctance to invest long-term in RBs.
Despite Ekeler’s back-to-back 1,500+ scrimmage yard seasons, the team hesitated to extend him, reflecting the league-wide devaluation of the position.
The franchise’s unwillingness to commit financially to a workhorse back may perpetuate instability.
Alternative Perspectives: Is RB Really the Problem? Some analysts argue that the Chargers’ offensive line not the RBs deserves blame.
PFF ranked the unit 25th in run-blocking in 2023, suggesting that even elite backs would struggle.
Others contend that in today’s NFL, a committee approach (rather than a bell-cow back) is the smarter strategy.
However, teams like the 49ers (Christian McCaffrey) and Browns (Nick Chubb) prove that a dominant RB can elevate an offense.
The Chargers’ failure to find such a player whether via draft, trade, or free agency remains a glaring weakness.
Conclusion: A Franchise at a Crossroads The Chargers’ RB woes are symptomatic of deeper organizational flaws draft misjudgments, injury mismanagement, and philosophical indecision.
While Justin Herbert’s arm talent can mask deficiencies, history shows that elite teams balance passing with a reliable run game.
Unless the Chargers overhaul their approach whether through better scouting, improved medical staff, or schematic adjustments their rushing attack will remain a liability.
In a league where margins for error are razor-thin, the inability to solve this puzzle could keep them from true contention.
Sources Cited: - Pro Football Reference (RB efficiency metrics) - ESPN Draft Analysis (2020) - (2022 injury study) - NFL Injury Analytics (2019-2023 reports) - Football Outsiders (DVOA rankings) - PFF (Offensive line grades).