2023 Los Angeles Chargers season

The 2023 season was the Los Angeles Chargers' 54th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 64th overall, their eighth in the Greater Los Angeles Area, their fourth playing their home games at SoFi Stadium, their tenth and final under general manager Tom Telesco and their third and final under head coach Brandon Staley. The Chargers failed to improve on their 10–7 record from the previous season following a Week 12, 10–20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. They then guaranteed a worse record following a Week 14, 7–24 loss to the Denver Broncos. With a Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Chargers were eliminated from playoff contention.

Already struggling with a 5–7 start, the Chargers were dealt with a devastating blow when they lost franchise quarterback, Justin Herbert following a week 14 loss to the Denver Broncos to a broken finger. Los Angeles lost 7 games decided by 3 points or less, the most in the NFL.

The Los Angeles Chargers drew an average home attendance of 69,736 in 9 home games in the 2023 NFL season.

Roster changes

Free agency

Futures

Shortly after the end of their 2022 season, the Chargers signed twelve players on their practice squad to reserve/future free agent contracts.

Signings

Retirements

Free safety Nasir Adderley announced his retirement on March 16. Adderley was drafted by the Chargers in 2019 and appeared in 50 games in four seasons.

Releases/waivers

Practice squad elevations

Each NFL team is permitted to elevate up to two players from the practice squad to the active game day roster per week, with those designated players being allowed to return to the practice squad up to two times without being exposed to waivers. If a practice squad player is elevated to the game day roster for a third time, that player will be required to clear waivers before returning to the practice squad. Teams are also permitted to protect a maximum of four practice squad players to prevent opposing teams from signing those players to their active rosters.

Injuries

July 26: Wide receiver Jalen Guyton, nose tackle Austin Johnson, and defensive end Otito Ogbonnia were placed on the PUP list.
August 16: Cornerback Kemon Hall was waived with an injury designation.
August 17: Defensive lineman Austin Johnson was activated from the PUP list. Kemon Hall was placed on injured reserve.

NFL draft

Draft trades

Staff

Coaching changes

Final roster

Preseason

The Chargers' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on May 16, 2023. The Chargers held joint practices with the New Orleans Saints on August 17 and 18 at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, California.

Regular season

Schedule

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 2: at Tennessee Titans

The Chargers blew an 11–0 lead and lost to the Titans, 27–24, in overtime, on a 41-yard field goal by Nick Folk. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 0–2.

Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 4: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 7: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 8: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 9: at New York Jets

Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 11: at Green Bay Packers

Week 12: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week 13: at New England Patriots

The Chargers defeated the Patriots for the first time since 2008, and in Foxborough for the first time since 2005.

Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos

In addition to losing the game, the Chargers lost quarterback Justin Herbert for the rest of the season to a finger injury in the 2nd quarter. This was the last game Keenan Allen played for the team as he was traded in the 2024 off-season.

Week 15: at Las Vegas Raiders

The Chargers suffered one of the worst losses in franchise history, as the Raiders set a franchise record for most points scored in a game just four days after being shut out. The Chargers turned the ball over five times and allowed 35 points off turnovers. The day after the game, the Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. They extended their losing streak in Las Vegas to 3 games.