The Los Angeles Chargers need a franchise quarterback and Tua Tagovailoa should be the guy. Here’s why the Chargers need to whatever it takes to get the former Alabama signal-caller.
For the first time since 2005, someone not named Phillip Rivers will start the season under center for the Chargers. Right now, Tyrod Taylor is listed as the starting quarterback, but the Chargers do hold the sixth pick in this year’s draft which could be used to take a quarterback of the future. It does not seem like Tua Tagovailoa will make it to that pick, but the Chargers need to be aggressive. Here are five reasons the Chargers must trade up to get the Alabama quarterback.
5. The offense has playmakers
Since 2013, Keenan Allen ranks 10th in the league in receptions and 13th in receiving yards. We saw the emergence of Austin Ekeler as a legitimate three-down, pass-catching back. Mike Williams has legitimate big-play ability, and when healthy, Hunter Henry is one of the game’s best tight ends. They also signed Bryan Bulaga who could provide nice protection for Tagovailoa’s blindside.
The Chargers have had the same weapons for a couple of years now, and it looked to be enough after a 12-4 season in 2018. However, they followed up with just five wins last season. But Phillip Rivers had his worst touchdown-to-interception ratio last season despite throwing for 4,615 yards, the fourth-most of his career. It’s time for a fresh face for an offense that’s waiting to take the next step.
The Chargers have not made it past the divisional round of the playoffs since losing to the then-undefeated Patriots in the 2007 AFC Championship game. They scored just 21.1 points per game last season, over a point lower than the league average, all while six teams were scoring more than 27 points a game. It’s clear that the offensive talent is there and Tagovailoa will put it over the top.
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4. The defense can play like a contender
The Chargers had the 11th-best coverage defense in the league last year, according to PFF and that was with Derwin James missing 11 games. Their front four is dangerous too, with Joey Bosa as one of the league’s best edge rushers and Linval Joseph as a great interior lineman. The longer the offense can stay on the field, the more we can see this defense at its very best.
The Chargers allowed the sixth-least yards per game last season (313.1), and their 21.6 points allowed per game was slightly above average, ranked 14th in the NFL. Again, one of the best safeties in the league missed more than half the season.
The Chargers also saw the second-least amount of plays from scrimmage last season. If that pace can keep up, a defense that needs health can put up even better numbers. The defense is too talented to waste its efforts and skill.
The phrase “defense wins championships” rings true, but not when the offense is not doing its job. The defense can’t win ball games alone – in today’s NFL filled with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray, high-powered offenses must keep up to give defenses the chance to hold a lead – not start a late-game comeback.