The statistics seem almost incomprehensible, perhaps especially so for long-time observers of the Chargers. But the numbers are the numbers, and they tell an unusual but fact-based story about the Chargers’ rejuvenated defense through the 2024 season’s first five games.
Going into Monday night’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Chargers have the NFL’s stingiest defense, giving up only 13.2 points per game. Their rushing defense is giving up less than 100 yards per game, sixth-best in the league. Their passing defense is giving up less than 200 yards per game, eighth-best.
How?
Why?
Last season, the Chargers were 24th in points given up (23.4), 17th in rushing defense (113.2) and 30th in passing defense (249.8). During the 2022 season, they were tied for 21st in points given up (22.6), 28th in rushing defense (145.8) and, rather credibly, seventh in passing defense (200.4).
The difference might just be the diminutive, bearded man in charge of the defense this season. Jesse Minter left the University of Michigan to join Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers and the regime change has been remarkable when it comes to stopping opposing offenses, even in defeat.
Brandon Staley was the head coach before Harbaugh replaced him this past January, but he also called the defensive plays, a role he declined to give up even as the Chargers faded from contention in the AFC last season. Staley and general manager Tom Telesco were eventually fired last Dec. 15.
So, enter Minter, and a new game plan.
The additions of defensive lineman Poona Ford, cornerback Kristian Fulton and linebacker Denzel Perryman have given the Chargers’ defense a fresh, new look. Otherwise, it’s been status quo, with outside linebacker Khalil Mack and safety Derwin James Jr in leading roles.
“Football is not an individual sport,” Minter said. “It’s just not. It’s the ultimate team sport, and especially defensive football. Sometimes on offense, you can have an elite quarterback, you can have that elite receiver that can always make a play for you. To me, on defense, it’s all 11. It’s everybody being on the same page, everybody buying-in to each other, trusting each other.”
The Chargers aren’t flawless defensively, and Minter stressed that point in the days after they came within one quarter of becoming the first team in history to shut out the Broncos in Denver. In fact, they struggled to contain scrambling quarterback Bo Nix in the fourth and held on for a 23-16 victory.
“Our guys will tell you, some of the stuff, letting the quarterback out (of the pocket) was one guy not trusting that this play may go and he may come all the way back to your side in a scramble,” Minter said of defending Nix. “It’s stuff we’re always chasing. But to me, team defense is the ultimate goal for us.
“I think we’ve got great players, too. I don’t necessarily want to say that the sum is better because I think we’ve got great parts, and when they buy-in to each other and play well, then yeah, we can be a really great unit. Our interior (linemen have) played great. We’ve been able to stop the run fairly consistently.”
Minter spoke of defensive linemen Ford, Morgan Fox and Otito Ogbonnia.
He also praised Mike Elston, who is in his first season as the Chargers’ defensive line coach.
“Those guys play really unselfishly,” Minter said of the Chargers’ defensive linemen. “They play really disciplined technique. They’re in the right spot and they’re also able to make plays. A lot of defenses, yes, those take on double teams. (But) we want our guys to do all that, but also have a chance to make plays.
“Mike Elston does a phenomenal job with those guys, and so I think they have played really, really up to a high standard so far, and I know they want to get better. There’s a lot of things that each position group is chasing. I’m looking forward to those guys playing at a high level.”