Some legendary players have caught balls from Chargers' quarterbacks over the years. Read about the best in recent memory.
One area where the Chargers could use help is playmaking receivers on the outside. Historically, though, two of the best playmakers in the passing game in team history didn't play receiver.
The cream of the crop
Legendary tight end Antonio Gates has a franchise record 11,841 receiving yards and 116 receiving touchdowns. Gates' amazing productivity and consistency were spread over 16 seasons, where he also tallied 955 receptions. Former Chargers league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson has a franchise record 100 catches, and he did it as a deadly receiver out of the backfield. Tomlinson played 9 of his 11 seasons with the Chargers before a couple of years as a New York Jet. In many fans' eyes, he will always and forever be a Charger.
With the league even more pass-heavy than when they played, some of their season records may be up for grabs with a hot stretch, especially with the addition of a 17th league game in recent years. The record books are being rewritten right and left, and hopefully someone on the Chargers makes a splash next season and beyond and goes on a legendary run.
Although he had a recent hiatus before joining the team again, Keenan Allen has been holding the mantle and setting the standard for receiving excellence on the team in recent years. On the rookie side, Ladd McConkey broke a pair of Chargers rookie receiving records, including one Allen had for receptions. He had a dip in year two, but let's see if he can regain his form under new offensive leadership.
Help on the way
With creativity on the way in the form of a Mike McDaniel offense, the team's already solid passing numbers could be going way north. There are decisions to be made with the current receiver corps in free agency. Luckily, the team also has the cap space available to help. Los Angeles is many people's idea of a dream destination, especially with the Quarterback they'll have throwing them the football.
With an offensive line ruined by injuries last year that ranked at the bottom of many categories, it's impressive that the passing game held up as well as it did last year. They should have nowhere to go but up. It could be some fireworks in the passing game in Los Angeles, with just enough of a running game to take pressure off their QB.
One thing that would help any players contending for different all-time records for the Chargers is staying on the team for most of an entire career, like the greatest greats before them.