Justin Herbert's injury caps another lost Chargers season - ESPN

ONE DAY AFTER a 24-7 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, safety Derwin James Jr. insisted the Los Angeles Chargers still have a great team.

«We just haven't been connected all year long,» he said.

The problem with James' supposition — the same one almost every player and coach has made about this team at some point over the past three seasons — is there isn't much proof the Chargers are a great team or have been during the past three seasons.

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who arrived in 2022, was honest about the state of this team after the loss. As a reporter asked if he questioned if the Chargers were still a good team, Mack interrupted before the question was finished.

«That's the point,» he said. "[We're] not taking advantage of the opportunity, man."

Missed opportunities are all too familiar for Mack.

He pointed to his time with the Bears in Chicago, where he played from 2018 to 2021. That Bears defense, Mack noted, featured All-Pro cornerback Kyle Fuller, Pro Bowl defensive end Akiem Hicks and cornerback Prince Amukamara but never won a playoff game in two appearances.

«Would've, could've, should've, that s--- don't matter,» Mack said. «Looking back on that, we took L's. Right now, we're taking L's.»

That has been the story of these Chargers: high expectations that lead to immense let downs.

Sunday's loss to the Broncos ended with Justin Herbert, the Chargers' $262.5 million quarterback, watching from the sidelines in street clothes with his season-ending broken right index finger hidden in his sweatshirt pocket, as Chargers fans chanted for the team to fire coach Brandon Staley.

The Chargers entered this season with hopes of contending for a Super Bowl but instead are 5-8 as they head into a «Thursday Night