Sebastian Joseph-Day (69) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders
in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Los Angeles Chargers began their organized team activities (OTA’s) on May 22. Key starters, like quarterback Justin Herbert, linebacker Khalil Mack, and wide receiver Keenan Allen attended. Head coach Brandon Staley was elated to see linebacker Joey Bosa also be present at practice.
“For [Bosa] to be here, I think that it shows all of these young players what it takes to be successful, that you have to be here with your team to improve,” Staley said. “We know that Joey has such a specific routine with his brother in Florida. For him to be here, Day 1, really excited about that.”
Bosa normally has a “strict” training routine with his brother, San Francisco 49er’s defensive lineman Nick Bosa, that takes place at his gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Bosa mentioned that it was “no problem” for him to come to the Chargers’ OTA’s.
“My dad’s manning the helm back in Florida with my brother. He’s handling his training for the next few weeks,” Bosa said. “I’m actually excited to see how much I can kind of hone my football technique because I’m really feeling good, physically.”
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The Chargers finished the last season with a 10-7 record but were knocked out of the playoffs in the
Wild Card round by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“It was like a bad dream, like a nightmare,” Mack said about the loss. “Waking up from it and just putting in the work to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”
There have not been a lot of changes to the roster during the offseason, according to Staley.
the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 25, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
“This is a hungry group … There’s been that right vibe where there’s a lot of familiarity, you’re not onboarding like a brand-new team,” Staley said. “A lot of guys are invested from that game and it’s going to mean a lot more when you were at that game.”
Mack made 33 solo tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles last season. Bosa only competed in five games due to a groin injury, he made 10 total tackles and 2.3 sacks. Mack is eager to work with a healthy Bosa so the public can get a true look at their impact in tandem on the field.
“It’s always good when you have [Bosa] out there,” Mack said. "A lot of knowledge, a good friend, a good dude to have around in the locker room and the meeting room.”
A goal for Staley is to get Mack and Bosa to play together; the two defenders have developed a close relationship. Bosa feels a need to put on his best game to ensure Mack that he can count on him. Staley sees them both as “perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidates” and expects them to play at that level.
“The respect they have for one another, I’ve really enjoyed watching that grow from afar,” Staley said. “It’s rare that you can find two players of that caliber that you can get together.”
