Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 San Diego Chargers

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San Diego Chargers

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Mike McCoy
Offensive Coordinator: Ken Whisenhunt
Defensive Coordinator: John Pagano

Key Additions

• WR Travis Benjamin
• CB Casey Hayward
• DE Joey Bosa (1st round)
• DT Brandon Mebane
• S Dwight Lowery
• TE Hunter Henry (2nd round)
• G Matt Slauson
• RB Andre Williams
• CB Pierre Desir
• FB Derek Watt (6th round)

Key Departures

• S Eric Weddle
• TE Ladarius Green
• CB Patrick Robinson
• DE Kendall Reyes

Preseason Power Ranking - No. 27

Joey Bosa is in the midst of a contract holdout, Stevie Johnson tore his meniscus, and the Chargers are facing the bleak prospect of playing their last year in San Diego. Get the Pepto Bismol ready. More ...

Projected Starting Lineup

Questions to Answer

• Can the offensive line stay healthy and provide enough protection for Philip Rivers?
• After struggling to generate turnovers on defense last season, who will produce the game-changing plays in 2016?
• Will Joey Bosa's holdout affect his rookie campaign?
• Can Melvin Gordon bounce back from a poor first season in the league?

Best-case Scenario

Rivers finally gets support for the entire season, and reacts by producing an MVP-caliber campaign. The defense is an effective unit, boosted by the high-scoring offense. Joey Bosa puts his holdout behind him and comes close to a double-digit sack season. The Chargers challenge for the AFC West, but have to settle for a wild-card spot and a 10-6 record.

Worst-case Scenario

The Chargers have been one of the NFL's most injured teams in recent seasons, and that trend continues. The offensive line cannot get settled, with starters continuing to fall like dominoes. The defense's glaring lack of talent, especially in the front seven, means teams score on the Chargers at will. Another season of Rivers' stellar career is wasted, a second straight top-five pick awaits, and the prospect of L.A. looms large.