The Chargers are 0-2 and desperately need more vocal leadership. Justin Herbert leads by example, but the team needs someone to demand more from everyone. With frustration mounting, the Chargers need their veteran leaders to step up and help right the ship.
The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-2 and there are plenty of reasons why. The offense has struggled to find any consistency, the team continues to make costly mistakes and the turnovers have been a major problem. After two disappointing losses to open the season, something needs to change.
One thing the Chargers desperately need right now is more vocal leadership.
Justin Herbert is a leader on this team. He has been for years. He is respected by his teammates and has shown plenty of toughness throughout his career. But Herbert has never been the type of quarterback who is going to stand in the middle of the locker room and scream at everyone after a bad loss.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Leadership comes in different forms. But right now, this team could use someone who is willing to get in people’s faces and demand more.
Khalil Mack is one of those players. He is one of the most respected veterans on the roster and has been a captain for the Chargers. After Sunday’s loss to the Raiders, Mack spoke openly about how frustrated he was with the way the season has started. He said the team is essentially beating itself and knows it has to get things corrected.
However, Mack also admitted something that stood out. When asked about Jim Harbaugh’s postgame message to the team, Mack said he had “blanked out” because his mind was still on the game and figuring out how to pick up the pieces.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Mack was disrespecting Harbaugh. It sounded more like the frustration of losing another game that the Chargers felt they should have won. But it also shows just how frustrated this team is right now.
Someone needs to step up and provide a spark.
Derwin James Jr. is another player who can do that. The Chargers officially named him a captain again this season and described him as the heart and soul of the team, with his fiery pregame speeches and emotional style of leadership.
Daiyan Henley has also emerged as an energetic leader on defense, while Ladd McConkey has taken on a bigger leadership role within the locker room.
The Chargers don’t necessarily need one person to become the team’s sole voice. They need their leaders to collectively raise the intensity.
At 0-2, nobody needs to panic. But this team needs an attitude adjustment quickly. The schedule gets significantly tougher with Buffalo, Seattle and Kansas City among the upcoming opponents.
Herbert can lead by example. Mack can lead through experience. James can bring the emotion. Henley and McConkey can bring their own energy.
But someone needs to make sure this team understands that 0-2 cannot become 0-3.
The Chargers need someone to grab this team by the collar and demand more. Right now, being a leader by example simply isn’t enough.
