User:GEbb4/sandbox/History of the San Diego Chargers

This article is about the History of the San Diego Chargers. The professional American football team now known as the Los Angeles Chargers was founded in 1959 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). The team played the 1960 season in Los Angeles and moved to San Diego the following year, where they played from 1961 until 2016. However, the Chargers removed all references to the city of San Diego from their website and merchandise in 2014 when they moved their practice facility to Orange County. The Chargers returned to Los Angeles in 2017.

1961–1966
The team began as the Los Angeles Chargers and was established in 1959 with seven other American Football League teams: the Denver Broncos, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders, New York Titans, Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills, and Boston Patriots. The Chargers' original owner was hotel heir Barron Hilton, son of Hilton Hotels founder Conrad Hilton. The team held a contest searching for a team name, and Gerald Courtney of Hollywood won a trip to Mexico for submitting "Chargers," according to the team website and other sources. Other sources quote Conrad Hilton, "I liked it because they were yelling 'charge' and sounding the bugle at Dodgers Stadium and at USC games."

Frank Leahy, a former University of Notre Dame football coach, was named the team's first general manager. The Chargers initially considered playing at the Rose Bowl, but instead signed a lease to play at the Los Angeles Coliseum. They played ten years in the AFL before the AFL merged into the older NFL. For the ten-year life of the AFL, Sid Gillman was the only coach of the Chargers, who was the former coach of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. Gillman originally signed a three-year contract as head coach. Gillman (87–57–6), who was later voted to the Hall of Fame, was widely recognized as a great offensive innovator. He also took on the dual role of coach and general manager after Frank Leahy resigned because of poor health. The early AFL years of the San Diego Chargers were highlighted by the outstanding play of wide receiver Lance Alworth with 543 receptions for 10,266 yards in his 11-AFL/NFL-season career. In addition, he set the pro football record of consecutive games with a reception (96) during his career. With players such as Alworth, Paul Lowe, Keith Lincoln and John Hadl, the high-scoring Chargers reached the AFL Championship Game five times, winning the championship once during that ten-year span.

Relocation to San Diego
The Chargers spent only one season in L.A. before moving in 1961, when Hilton took on George Pernicano as a minority partner (a role he would hold until his death in 2016, even after Hilton sold the team) and moved the team 125 miles south to San Diego, being Balboa Stadium in Balboa Park their home field in San Diego. On that season, the defense recorded 49 pass interceptions as the AFL played an exciting brand of football featuring strong passing attacks. The Chargers were the originators of the term "Fearsome Foursome" to describe their all-star defensive line, anchored by Earl Faison and Ernie Ladd (the latter also dabbled in professional wrestling). The phrase was later appropriated by various NFL teams. Houston defeated the Chargers 10–3 before 29,556 persons in Balboa Stadium to win the second AFL championship. The next year, the Chargers stumbled to a 4-10 record by losing eight of their last nine games due to a rash of injuries.

On the last week of the 1963 season, eight Chargers scored, and Paul Lowe rushed for 183 yards scoring two touchdowns on 17 carries as the Chargers clinched the AFL West title with a 58-20 victory over Denver. The season ended a week later than scheduled after AFL postponed the games for the weekend following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22. They won their only AFL title in 1963 when they beat the Boston Patriots 51–10 before 30,127 fans at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, when Keith Lincoln accounted for 349 yards of total offense. As of 2016, this was the last major professional sports championship for the city of San Diego. In 1964, the AFL teams signed a five-year television contract with National Broadcasting Company for a record $36 million; the contract would commence with the 1965 season. The Chargers and New York Jets tied 17-17 before a record AFL crowd of 50,222 fans, 46,828 paid in New York's Shea Stadium. A Balboa Stadium attendance record of 34,865 was set as Buffalo defeated San Diego 27-24 on Thanksgiving Day. The Chargers defeated the Jets 38-3 before 25,753 attendees in Balboa Stadium to clinch their fourth AFL West title in five years. Lance Alworth left the game with a knee injury, and fullback Keith Lincoln was sidelined in the first quarter with a fractured rib. The Chargers were beaten 20-7 in Buffalo for the AFL championship.

In 1965, San Diego (9-2-3) won their fifth AFL West title in six years by defeating Houston on December 12 by the score of 37-26. Paul Lowe and Lance Alworth finished 1-2 in balloting by players for AFL player of the year. Buffalo defeated the Chargers 23-0 in front of 30,361 people in Balboa Stadium for the AFL championship. A new automobile, the "Charger," was introduced by Chrysler officials at halftime.

In 1966, Hilton sold the Chargers to a group of 21 business executives led by investors Eugene V. Klein and Sam Schulman for $10 million, which was considered a record transaction in professional football at the time. On the field, San Diego fell to third in the West with a 7-6-1 record.

The AFL and the National Football League teams announced plans to merge during the 1970 season and Chargers and Los Angeles Rams announced they would play three preseason games at San Diego Stadium, beginning in 1967.

1967–1970
As of August 1967, they moved to the newly constructed San Diego Stadium (now called Qualcomm Stadium), where they played their home games until 2016. That year the Chargers began "head to head" competition with the older NFL with a preseason game at San Diego Stadium against the Detroit Lions before a crowd of 45,988. Detroit defeated the Chargers 38-17. On week 5 of regular season, Leslie "Speedy" Duncan had 203 yards in returns, 35 on a fumble recovery for a touchdown, 68 on four kickoff returns, and 100 for a touchdown on the longest interception return in AFL history as the Chargers defeated Kansas City 45-31 in a game in which the teams combined for 897 yards total offense and 622 in returns. On week 11, the Chargers were beaten by Oakland 41-21 before the first sellout crowd in the San Diego Stadium, 52,661 persons, and 2,018 persons also watched the game on closed-circuit television in the San Diego Sports Arena.

In 1968, The Chargers opened the preseason at home and score their first victory over an NFL team, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 30-18 before 39,553 at San Diego Stadium. "Speedy" Duncan set an AFL record with a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 37-15 loss to the New York Jets in San Diego Stadium. The team finishes third in the West with a 9-5 record. John Hadl leads the league in pass attempts (440), completions (208), yardage (3,473), touchdown passes (27) and passes intercepted.

In 1969, after opening the season with two losses, the Chargers defeated the defending Super Bowl III champion New York Jets featuring QB Joe Namath before a record San Diego Stadium crowd of 54,042. The team featured that season both Hadl and Alworth, who set a professional record with a pass reception in his 96th consecutive game. Three more wins would be followed by four straight losses which ended any hopes of postseason play. The Chargers won their last four games to finish with an 8-6 record capped by a 45-6 victory over Buffalo in the season finale. Offensive backfield coach Charlie Waller was named head coach following the resignation of Sid Gillman nine games into the season from a stomach ulcer and chest hernia. Gillman continued as general manager.

1970–1981: Joining the NFL
In 1970, the San Diego Chargers settled into the AFC West division after the NFL merger with the AFL. The years after the merger were difficult. Charlie Waller took over as head coach, but after finishing 5-6-3, he stepped down, and Sid Gillman returned to the job, but he quit halfway through the 1971 season, which ended with six wins and eight losses. In 1972, they got Duane Thomas and Deacon Jones, but they were no help to the struggling team, which had another disappointing season (4-9-1). In 1973, the Chargers acquired legendary Colts QB Johnny Unitas, but he was almost 40 years old and suffering the effects of accumulated injuries over the years. He managed only three games before being benched and replaced by rookie Dan Fouts, but in the meantime, the team finished 2-11-1. The 1974 season was Dan Fouts' first as the starting QB. Don Woods also came to the team for that season and ran over 1,000 yards in a 5-9 finish. But the following season, Woods suffered a major sophomore slump, and Fouts continued to play poorly as the Chargers ended 2-12.

The Chargers began 1976 with a 3-0 start, but Dan Fouts still struggled on-field, and the team ended the year at 6-8. After another strong start to the 1977 season, San Diego lost four out of five games in a row, leading to Fouts being benched. The team ultimately finished 7-7.

1978
1978 was a year of dramatic change as the NFL expanded the regular season to 16 games and altered the rules so that wide receivers could no longer block defensive backs more than five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. In the opening game of the season, the Chargers beat Seattle 24-20. A week later, in what has since been referred to as "Holy Roller" game, or as Chargers fans call it, the "Immaculate Deception". It was a game-winning play executed by the Oakland Raiders against the Chargers on September 10, 1978, in San Diego at Jack Murphy Stadium. With 10 seconds left in the game, the Raiders had possession of the ball at the Chargers' 14-yard line, down 20–14. Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler took the snap and found himself about to be sacked by Chargers linebacker Woodrow Lowe on the 24-yard line. Stabler fumbled the ball forward, and it rolled forward towards the San Diego goal line. Running back Pete Banaszak tried to recover the ball on the 12-yard line, but could not keep his footing, and the ball was pushed even closer to the end zone. Raiders tight end Dave Casper was the next player to reach the ball but he also could not get a hand on it. He batted and kicked the ball into the end zone, where he fell on it for the game-tying touchdown as time ran out. With the ensuing extra point by kicker Errol Mann, the Raiders won 21–20, In What many Charger fans believed should have been called an incomplete pass (and possibly intentional grounding) was seen as a fumble and the rest of the play involved batting of the ball forward towards the end zone where the Raiders ultimately recovered it for a touchdown. As a result of this play, NFL rules were changed so that, in the last two minutes of a half or game, the only offensive player allowed to advance a fumble is the player who originally fumbled. If any other offensive player recovers the fumble and advances the ball, after the play the line of scrimmage is the spot of the original fumble.

In week 3, the Chargers lost again, but this time, to Denver in Week 3. Returning home for Week 4, the Chargers faced Green Bay in an interconference match played as a major heat wave was gripping San Diego. With kickoff temperatures around 102 °F (38 °C), it was one of the hottest games in NFL history. Unfortunately, for the Chargers, facing an opponent whose home was in one of the coldest NFL cities did not prove very beneficial as the Packers easily beat them 24-3. After this debacle, head coach Tommy Prothro was relieved of his duties. Replacing him was ex-St. Louis Cardinals coach Don Coryell, hired the same day as the city of San Diego was shaken by the crash of a Pacific Southwest Airlines jet into a suburban neighborhood. Coryell's first game as Chargers head coach was a cross-country journey to New England, and although that match was another loss, the team's fortunes would soon turn around. With San Diego still mourning the PSA 182 crash, the Chargers returned home and shut out division rival Denver to "win one for the city". Coryell ushered in his "Air Coryell" offense with Fouts throwing to a trio of receivers featuring Charlie Joiner, John Jefferson and tight end Kellen Winslow as they rallied to finish 9–7, just barely missing the playoffs.

1979
1979 marked a turning point for the Chargers franchise as The Sporting News named team general manager John Sanders NFL Executive of the Year after balloting of other NFL executives. Coached by Don Coryell (with an offense nicknamed "Air Coryell"), Fouts set an NFL record with four consecutive 300-yard passing games, established in a game in which he threw for 303 yards against the Oakland Raiders. Coached by Don Coryell and also featuring Joiner, Jefferson and Winslow, San Diego clinched their first playoff berth in 14 years with a 35–0 victory against the New Orleans Saints. On December 17, 1979, the Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 17–7 for their first AFC West division title since the merger before a national Monday Night Football television audience and their home crowd. Unfortunately, their playoff time was short as the Houston Oilers sent the Chargers packing with a 17–14 loss in the Divisional Round. Ron Mix became the second AFL player and second Charger to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, during halftime of the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl.

1980
The 1980 team saw the team trade for running back Chuck Muncie, and Fouts set a club record with 444 yards passing in the Chargers' 44–7 victory over the New York Giants. Kellen Winslow caught 10 passes for 171 yards and Chargers clinched their second straight AFC West title by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 26–17 and finished the regular season with an 11–5 record. Jefferson (1,340), Winslow (1,290), and Joiner (1,132) became the first trio on the same team to have 1,000 yards receiving in a season. The Chargers' defense led the NFL in sacks (60) spearheaded by the frontline of 1975 Chargers' draftees Fred Dean, Gary "Big Hands" Johnson and Louie Kelcher. The trio, along with Leroy Jones formed a defensive frontline that was locally nicknamed Bruise Brothers. The Chargers finished the season with a record of 11–5 (tops in the AFC West), In the playoffs, they won the divisional round 20–14 over the Buffalo Bills. However, they fell one game shy of Super Bowl XV in a 34–27 loss to the eventual-champion Oakland Raiders.

1981
In 1981, the Chargers won their third straight AFC West title with a 10–6 season. After the division titles of the 1979 and 1980 seasons, contract disputes arose and owner Klein refused to renegotiate players' contracts. They traded wide receiver John Jefferson to the Green Bay Packers after he held out for an increase in salary but replaced him with Wes Chandler. Defensive end Dean also became involved in a holdout and was traded to the 49ers. Dean contends he was making the same amount of money as his brother-in-law who was a truck driver. Dean won UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year (while playing in only 11 games) that same year en route to a Super Bowl victory and helped the 49ers to another Super Bowl title two years later. Dean's loss was particularly damaging to the Chargers' Super Bowl chances as the defense weakened afterwards, surrendering the most passing yards in the NFL in both 1981 and 1982.

In the 1981 playoffs, the Chargers outlasted the Miami Dolphins in the divisional round, 41–38, in a game that became known as The Epic in Miami. The game was voted as the best game in NFL history by a panel of ESPN journalists. The temperature was 85 °F with high humidity (29.4 °C) at the Miami Orange Bowl, but it did not stop either team's offense. The Chargers were led by quarterback Dan Fouts who made the Pro Bowl for the third year in a row, setting an NFL single-season record at that time of 4,802 yards and 33 touchdowns. The Dolphins were led by head coach Don Shula and featured a defense that gave up the fifth-fewest points in the NFL in the regular season.

This game set playoff records for the most points scored in a playoff game (79), the most total yards by both teams (1,036), and most passing yards by both teams (809). Chargers placekicker Rolf Benirschke eventually kicked the winning 29-yard field goal after 13:52 of overtime to help San Diego beat Miami, 41–38. The image of an exhausted tight end Kellen Winslow, who finished the game with 13 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown and one blocked field goal, being helped off the field by two of his Chargers teammates has been replayed countless times. Winslow was voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

However, the eventual-AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals, playing in their first AFC Championship Game, defeated the Chargers 27–7 in what became known as the Freezer Bowl. The temperature of −9° with a wind-chill factor of −59° made this the coldest weather conditions for a title game in the history of the NFL. Chargers owner Eugene Klein tried to get the NFL and Bengals to postpone the game but he was turned down.

"I can't say how much it affected us, because we did make it to the AFC championship game", said Johnson on the loss of fellow lineman Dean. "But I could say if we had more pass rush from the corner, it might've been different."

1982–1993
During the strike-shortened 1982 season, Fouts averaged what was then a record of 320 yards passing per game. (The NFL record is 342.31, set by Peyton Manning in 2013.) Highlights that season included back-to-back victories against the 1981 Super Bowl teams San Francisco (41–37) and Cincinnati (50–34) in which Fouts threw for over 400 yards in each game to lead the Chargers to shootout victories. The December 20, 1982 Cincinnati game was a rematch of the 1981 AFC Championship Game. The Chargers would generate a total offensive yardage record of 661 (501 yards passing, 175 yards rushing) that still stands as the most in team history in defeating Cincinnati. Also during the year, Chandler, set the record of 129 yards receiving per game that is still an NFL record. The Chargers made it back to the playoffs.

In 1984, Klein cut salary in preparation of selling the team, sending defensive linemen Johnson and Kelcher to San Francisco, where they would join Dean and offensive tackle Billy Shields for another 49ers championship in Super Bowl XIX. Alex Spanos purchased a majority interest in San Diego from Klein on August 1. Prior to the teams move to Los Angeles, Alex G. Spanos had still owned 97% of the team and George Pernicano, owned the other 3%. Benirschke was named "Miller Man of the Year" and Joiner set an NFL record with his 650th pass reception in the fourth quarter of the game at Pittsburgh. In guard Ed White set an NFL record by playing in 241 NFL games, most all-time among offensive linemen. Lionel "Little Train" James, a mere 5'6" and 171 pound running back, set NFL record of 2,535 all-purpose yards while also setting a record of 1,027 receiving yards by a running back.

Changing Head Coaches
Al Saunders was named the seventh head coach in Chargers history in 1986 following the resignation of Coryell. In 1987 Joiner retired to become receivers coach of the Chargers. The Chargers finished with an 8–7 record, their first winning record since 1982, despite winding up with six straight losses. In Fouts retired after a 15-year career in which he set seven NFL records and 42 club records, and became the NFL's second most prolific passer of all-time with 43,040 yards. Fouts's jersey number (14) was retired at halftime of "Dan Fouts Day" game in San Diego.

In 1989, Dan Henning, a former Chargers quarterback, Washington Redskins assistant, and Atlanta Falcons head coach, was named the eighth head coach in Chargers history. First-year running back Marion Butts set a club record with 39 carries and a team rookie record with 176 yards in Chargers' 20–13 win in Kansas City. After a three-year stint as Director of Football Operations, Steve Ortmayer was released after the season and replaced by Bobby Beathard.

Following Henning's three-season stint with the Chargers, Bobby Ross was hired as the ninth head coach in 1992. Additionally, the Chargers acquired quarterback Stan Humphries in a trade with the Washington Redskins. San Diego lost its first four games during the season and many thought the Chargers would miss the playoffs again. However, the Chargers came roaring back and became the first 0-4 team to make the playoffs, as they won 11 of the last 12 games and clinched the AFC West title. Ross was named AFC Coach of the Year for the Chargers' dramatic turnaround. In the Wild Card Round, they managed to shut out the Kansas City Chiefs 17-0, but they got shut out in the Divisional Round to the Miami Dolphins 31-0. In 1993, the Chargers ended up 8-8 (fourth in their division) and ending an average year on the outside looking in.

1994: AFC Champions
In the 1994 season, the Chargers made their first and, so far, only Super Bowl appearance, against the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX. They got to the Super Bowl by winning their first six regular season games, the only NFL team to do so in 1994, and finished the season 11–5. Quarterback Stan Humphries and wide receiver Tony Martin combined on a 99-yard touchdown completion to tie an NFL record during a defeat of the Seattle Seahawks, 27–10. They would become the 1994 AFC West Division champions behind a defense led by linebacker Junior Seau, defensive tackles Reuben Davis and Shawn Lee, defensive end Leslie O'Neal and an offense keyed by running back Natrone Means, Humphries and Martin. The Chargers had upset victories over the Dolphins and Steelers in the AFC playoffs. Despite those two close triumphs (22–21 against the Dolphins in the Divisional Round, and 17–13 against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game), the Chargers lost Super Bowl XXIX to the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 49–26, who were led by quarterback Steve Young (Super Bowl MVP) and wide receiver Jerry Rice.

Despite the lopsided loss in the Super Bowl, Beathard, who traded for or drafted the bulk of the Chargers roster, and who hired coach Ross, was named the NFL's smartest man by Sports Illustrated, and became the only general manager to lead three different teams to the Super Bowl (Chargers, Dolphins, Redskins).

The Chargers' follow-up year in 1995 did not bring the same success of the previous season, but the team still managed to get into the playoffs with a five-game winning streak to end the season at 9–7. However, in the first round, the Chargers were eliminated by the Indianapolis Colts in a 35–20 defeat.

1996–2003
In 1996, running back Rodney Culver and his wife, Karen, were killed in the crash of ValuJet Flight 592 in the Florida Everglades. Culver was the second player in team history to die while on the active roster after David Griggs was killed in a one-car accident in Davie, Florida, 11 months earlier. In 1997, Ross and Beathard were at odds with one another, resulting in Ross and his staff being released. The Chargers selected Kevin Gilbride to become their new head coach. Gilbride, whose coaching background with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oilers featured a more open passing attack, would mark a major change in offensive style from the ball control ground game of Ross. Beathard drafted quarterback Ryan Leaf after the Indianapolis Colts selected Peyton Manning with the first pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. The Chargers traded several players and draft choices to the Arizona Cardinals in order to move up to the second pick and select Leaf. Leaf turned out to be arguably the biggest bust in NFL history. His poor play and attitude caused his departure after the 2000 season. In 1998, the Chargers went 5–11. Said safety Rodney Harrison, "If I had to go through another year like that, I'd probably quit playing." The Chargers struggled in pass protection, resulting in Humphries suffering several concussions and his retirement from the game. Gilbride was replaced by interim head coach June Jones, who was on the Chargers' staff before the hire. Jones left the team at the end of the season to coach at the University of Hawaii and the Chargers named former Oregon State University head coach Mike Riley as their new head coach. Leaf wound up having a disappointing career with the Chargers after a great deal of controversy with both the Charger management as well as the press and his teammates. His failure to be the player the team envisioned was seen as a black mark on the franchise and is generally considered one of the worst draft/trades in the history of pro football. Quarterback Jim Harbaugh, who was acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional draft choice in 2000, became the Chargers starting quarterback. Beathard retired in April 2000 and was replaced in January 2001 by John Butler, former general manager of the Bills. From to, the Chargers had eight-straight seasons where they were .500 or worse.

In 2001, Norv Turner, the former head coach of the Redskins, was named offensive coordinator by Riley. Turner installed the offense that he coached with the Dallas Cowboys under Jimmy Johnson. Turner learned the offense from Ernie Zampese, former offensive coordinator during the Coryell era, while the two were on the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff. The Chargers signed Heisman Trophy winner free agent quarterback Doug Flutie, formerly with the Bills, and traded the team's first overall selection in the 2001 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons for the first-round selection (5th overall) and third-round selection in the same draft. In addition the Chargers obtained wide receiver-kick returner Tim Dwight and the Falcons' second-round draft selection in the 2002 NFL Draft. The Chargers used those selections in the 2001 draft to select Texas Christian University running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Purdue University quarterback Drew Brees.

Hired as a replacement to Riley, Marty Schottenheimer's Chargers squad opened the 2002 season with four-straight victories, making him the only coach in team history to win his first four games. Butler would succumb to cancer after a nine-month struggle in April 2003. Replacing Butler was A. J. Smith, who was named Executive Vice President-General Manager, replacing his close friend. Smith and Butler had worked together with the Bills, playing key roles with Buffalo's Super Bowl teams. In 2003, the Chargers traded Seau to the Dolphins for a draft pick in 2004 NFL Draft. Seau was selected to 2003 Pro Bowl, his 12th Pro Bowl selection of his career, and in his final season with the Chargers, he was chosen by teammates as the recipient of the Emil Karas Award as the team's Most Inspirational Player. Also in 2003, Tomlinson accumulated 195 total yards from scrimmage in a late-season game against the Packers to raise his season total to 2,011 and became the first player in team history and the eighth player in NFL history to record consecutive 2,000-yard seasons. Tomlinson also became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes in the same season.

The Chargers were the host team for Super Bowl XXXII and XXXVII.

During the 2005 NFL Draft, the Chargers drafted key rookies who would help carry the momentum from their successful 2004–05 run. They used their first pick on LB Shawne Merriman from the University of Maryland. Their next picks included DT Luis Castillo from Northwestern University, WR Vincent Jackson from Northern Colorado, RB Darren Sproles from Kansas State, OT Wesley Britt from Alabama University, OT Wes Sims from Oklahoma University, and Center Scott Mruczkowski from Bowling Green State.

The Chargers had a rough start to their 2005 campaign, losing a close game to the Dallas Cowboys in their Week 1 home-opener (28-24) and then lost on the road to the Denver Broncos (20-17). It wasn't until a Week 3 home game on Sunday night that they got their first win of the season, when Eli Manning and the New York Giants got "shocked to the system" as LaDainian Tomlinson had one of the greatest games of his career. Tomlinson accounted for 220 total yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, and even threw for a touchdown as he helped the Chargers win 45–23.

A week later, they were able to build off their win by not only beating the two-time defending champion New England Patriots 41-17, but also ending the Pats' 21-game winning streak at home. In their Week 5 Monday Night home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chargers wore their throw-back uniforms during this season (they had also worn them during the 1994 season). The Steelers held on to win with a 40-yard field goal by Jeff Reed (24–22). The Chargers rebounded on the road against their division rival Oakland Raiders (27-14). In their Week 7 road trip to Philadelphia, they hoped to build off their win against the Eagles. Late in the game, with the Chargers leading 17–13, the Chargers tried to go for a field goal to put their lead well out of reach, but it got blocked and Eagles DB Matt Ware returned it 65 yards for the game-winning touchdown and the Chargers fourth loss of the season.

After going 3-4, the Chargers turned things around as they began a five-game winning streak. They won at home against division-rival Kansas City Chiefs (28–20) and on the road against the New York Jets (31–26). Coming off their Week 10 bye, they went home and wore their throw-back uniforms again. This time, it was a dominating performance as the Chargers man-handled the Buffalo Bills, 48–10. Then, they went on the road and won a close match against the Washington Redskins (23–17 in OT) and then they swept the Oakland Raiders at home by a score of 34–10.

The Chargers were 8–5, coming off a 23–21 loss to the Miami Dolphins. On December 18, the Chargers beat the undefeated Indianapolis Colts 26-17, snapping a 13–0 winning streak. However, despite a record of 9–6, they were officially eliminated from AFC playoff contention in 2005 after a 20–7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs the following Saturday. The Chargers lost their final game of the season by a score of 23-7 to the AFC West champion Denver Broncos to finish with a record of 9-7.

2006–2012: Rise of Philip Rivers
The Chargers delivered an impressive performance in 2006, losing only to the Ravens and Chiefs, they finished 14–2 which secured them the #1 AFC seed in the playoffs. However, they lost 24–21 to the New England Patriots in the divisional round. During the following offseason, they replaced Schottenheimer with new head coach Norv Turner. In 2007, they went 11–5, beating the Tennessee Titans and the defending champion Indianapolis Colts to reach the AFC title game. However, they fell to the Patriots for the second year in a row. In 2008, the Chargers dropped to 8–8, but as the AFC West was unusually weak that year, they still managed to win the division title. Defeating the Colts in the wild card round, they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round.

San Diego began the 2009 2–3. After losing to the Broncos on Monday night, they began an unbroken winning streak for the rest of the season, which included defeating the entire NFC East. In Week 11, they avenged their earlier loss against the Broncos by inflicting a 32–3 rout on them. The next game saw them beat a 1–11 Cleveland Browns squad 30–23, in which LaDainian Tomlinson broke Hall of Famer Jim Brown's rushing record and was congratulated by him afterwards. The Chargers secured another division title, the #2 AFC seed, and looked to be a near shoo-in for the Super Bowl. However, the team's postseason futility continued. Hosting the New York Jets on January 17, 2010, they endured an upset defeat, where, despite an early lead, were unable to overcome the strong Jets' defense. Kicker Nate Kaeding also missed three field goal and PAT attempts, which resulted in the Chargers losing 17–14.

2010–2012
The 2010 season was the first season without LaDainian Tomlinson since 2000 (Tomlinson was let go by management due to his age and an oversized contract relative to production and other issues; he went on to lead the Jets in rushing with 914 yards & tied for 3rd in receptions with 52).The 2010 campaign started off slowly again, this time 2–5 (including losses to some of the worst teams in football at the time). On the season opener, the Chargers lost in Kansas City for the first time in four years, 21–14. Their home opener in Week 2 was an easy rout of the Jaguars, but they failed to sell enough tickets and consequently suffered a blackout for the first time since 2004. They followed this with a trip to Seattle in which they lost 27–20. Returning home for Week 4, the Chargers inflicted a 41–10 rout on the Cardinals, but the game was blacked out again. The loss to Oakland ended their 13-game winning streak against the Raiders since their last loss on September 28, 2003.

The Chargers then went on another second half run with four straight wins but this time instead of keeping the streak going the entire second half they had a big let down losing at home to the Raiders again, this time 28–13 (ending their shared NFL record, with the Dolphins, of 18 straight wins in December). Despite the loss, they still had a chance to win their 5th straight AFC West title, tying the Raiders, but they had another bad loss at the Bengals 34–20 ending their chances. The Chargers beat Denver to end the season with a 9–7 record & out of the playoffs for the first time since 2005. They finished the season as the 8th team in NFL history to rank #1 in overall offense (395.6 yards/game), and overall defense (271.6 yards/game), and became only the 2nd of those teams to not make the playoffs (1953 Eagles 7–4–1). They were second to the Colts in passing yards per game (282.4), second to the Patriots in points scored per game (27.6), 1st in passing yards allowed per game (177.8), 4th in rushing yards allowed per game (93.8), and tied for 2nd in sacks (47). On the negative stat sheet, they gave up the most punt return yards per game (18.9) & had 29 turnovers. Philip Rivers had another great season with a career-high 4,710 yards (#1 in the NFL), 294 yards passing per game (tied for 1st with Manning), 66% completion pct. (third to Brees & Manning), 30 TD's, only 13 INT's & a 101.8 passer rating (second to Brady). Mike Tolbert 11 rushing TD's & Antonio Gates 10 receiving TD's were among the league leaders in TD's scored. On defense, Shaun Phillips' 11 sacks were in the top 10. With the special teams failure of the 2010 season campaign, the Chargers hoped to rebound with a strong performance to start the season, and a way to overcome slow starts.

The Chargers started off the 2011 season with a 4–1 campaign, with their only loss to the New England Patriots. From that point on, however, the Chargers began a six-game skid with losses to the Jets, Chiefs, Packers, Raiders, Bears, and Broncos, with the first four by only a score and against Denver in overtime. Injuries to both the offensive and the defensive line hit the Chargers hard. But finally on December 5, 2011, the Chargers got their first win in over a month against the Jacksonville Jaguars, beating the also-struggling team. The Chargers then began a three-game winning streak most notably beating the Ravens by more than any team has beat them that season. However, the Chargers were beaten, 38–10, by the Detroit Lions to drop their record to 7–8 and eliminate the possibility of being in the playoffs. After a 38–26 victory over the Raiders in week 17, the Chargers finished at 8–8 and in a numerical tie for first place in the AFC West along with Oakland and Denver. However, the Chargers were beaten out by Denver for the Division Title via tie-breaker.

On October 21, 2012, a line judge saw what he thought was a suspicious substance on hand towels used by the players. If the NFL determined the Chargers were using banned adhesives during game time, they would have suffered consequences, such as a fine or loss of an important draft pick for next season. However, on November 7, the league announced that the Chargers did not cheat, though the team was fined $20,000. After missing the playoffs for the third straight season in 2012, the Chargers fired general manager Smith and head coach Turner.

2013–2016: The final years
On January 9, 2013, the Chargers announced that Tom Telesco, former Vice President of Football Operations with the Indianapolis Colts, would take over as General Manager following the firing of A. J. Smith.

On January 15, 2013, Broncos offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy, was hired as the new head coach and Ken Whisenhunt as offensive coordinator. The San Diego Chargers selected D. J. Fluker, Manti Te'o, and Keenan Allen in the first three rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft.

With Norv Turner taking a new job as Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy got the team off to an inconsistent 2-3 start, but then won two games in a row, against Indianapolis on Monday Night Football, then against Jacksonville. Following the bye week however, the Chargers lost four of the next five. With postseason hopes looking rather faint, the team managed to pull a proverbial rabbit from a hat as they won all the remaining regular season games and faced a combination of losses from other AFC teams that allowed them to sneak into the wild card playoffs with a 9–7 record.

On the 50th anniversary of the 1963 AFL Championship, the Chargers beat Cincinnati handily at 27–10, but their miracle season at last ended the next week in Denver as their division rival knocked them out 24–17, in what ended up being their last playoff game as a San Diego team.

On January 13, 2014, the Tennessee Titans hired Ken Whisenhunt, former Chargers' offensive coordinator, as their new head coach. On January 14, 2014, the Chargers announced Frank Reich would replace Whisenhunt as the offensive coordinator. Reich spent last season as the Chargers' quarterback coach. Chargers also made key moves to re-signing Donald Butler, Chad Rinehart, and Darrell Stuckey. They also cut free agent bust Derek Cox. In addition, they added running back Donald Brown via free agency.

The San Diego Chargers selected Jason Verrett, Jeremiah Attaochu, and Chris Watt in the first three rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft.

After starting the season strongly, including a five-win run in September and October, the Chargers were beset by a string of injuries to key players, and eventually finished the season at 9-7. In contrast to 2013, the record was not enough to make the playoffs. The Chargers began the season 5–1, winning five straight after losing their season opener. It was followed by a three-game losing streak, and they finished 4–4 in the second half. They won just two of their final five games, coming back from double-digit fourth quarter deficits twice to remain in playoff contention. They lost the final game of the season when a win would have secured a playoff berth. In three of their last four games, and five of their last eight, the Chargers did not score more than one touchdown. Compared to 2013, the offense dropped in points (from 12th in the league to 17th), yards (5th to 18th), first downs (3rd to 15th), net yards per pass (2nd to 8th), rushing yards (13th to 30) and yards per rush (21st to 31st). It was the second time in three years the team finished second-to-last in yards per carry. San Diego was just 2–4 against teams in their division in the AFC West, and were swept by both the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. It was their worst intradivision record since they were 1–5 in 2003. The Chargers were only 3–6 against teams with winning records. They matched their 9–7 record from 2013, but missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.

In the 2015 NFL draft, the Chargers selected Melvin Gordon, Denzel Perryman, and Craig Mager in the first three rounds. The season started off with a win against the Detroit Lions at home. The Chargers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings on the road before defeating the Cleveland Browns on a last second field goal. Following their 2-2 start, the Chargers lost their next six games, dropping to 2-8. In their six straight losses, they lost heartbreakers to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens and the Chicago Bears, as well as sound defeats by both, division rivals, the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs. They finally broke their losing streak by defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road, bringing their record to 3-8, in last place in the AFC West and 3rd worst in the American Football Conference (one game ahead of both the Browns and the Tennessee Titans). They are also tied for the third worst record in the National Football League. They then proceeded to beat the Miami Dolphins in Week 14 winning 30-14. They finished the season 4-12.

The 2016 Season was dominated by the team's last attempt to remain in San Diego, and was the last for head coach Mike McCoy. The Chargers drafted Defensive End Joey Bosa with the 3rd overall pick in the 2016 Draft. Other selections included Hunter Henry, Max Tuerk, Joshua Perry, Jatavis Brown, Drew Kaser, Derek Watt, and Donavon Clark.

The Chargers started their season in Kansas City, against the Chiefs. The Chargers held a 21-3 lead at Halftime. The Chiefs rallied back in the Second Half to beat the team 33-27.

The Jacksonville Jaguars faced the Chargers in their final home opener. The Chargers had lost Running back Danny Woodhead, who tore his ACL, thus shutting him down for the remainder of the season. The Chargers would beat them 38-14 however. The Chargers would lose three straight to the Colts, Saints, and Raiders, before picking up a 21-13 victory against the Denver Broncos and a 33-30 Victory against the Atlanta Falcons. The Chargers only won two more game after this two-game winning streak, finishing the season 5-11. Among their notable losses, including a 31-24 loss to the Dolphins, just five days after Measure C failed, and their final game, a 37-27 loss to Kansas City in San Diego. They also lost to the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, resulting in Cleveland's only win of their season.

Move to Los Angeles
Chargers owner Dean Spanos tried for fifteen years to get San Diego to build a new stadium for him to replace the aging Qualcomm Stadium, warning that he would move the team to Los Angeles if one was not built. Negotiations to get the city of San Diego to pick up most of the cost were unsuccessful.

As attorney and team spokesperson Mark Fabiani continually bashed the local San Diego city government's efforts to negotiate a stadium replacement, St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke announced in January 2015 his intention to build a new stadium in Inglewood, California. The Chargers decided to announce their own Los Angeles plan, to preserve what they claimed was "25 percent of their fan base" in the affluent Los Angeles and Orange County areas. The team soon announced a stadium proposal in Carson, California, in partnership with the Oakland Raiders, their AFC West divisional rival.

One day after the conclusion of the regular season, the Chargers, Rams, and Raiders all filed applications to relocate to Los Angeles. On January 12, 2016, the NFL owners voted 30–2 to allow the Rams to return to Los Angeles, approving the Inglewood stadium project over the Carson project. The Chargers were given a one-year-delayed approval to relocate, conditioned on negotiating a lease agreement with the Rams or an agreement to partner with the Rams on the new stadium construction. Two days later, the team filed paperwork for official trademark protection of the term "Los Angeles Chargers" for the purposes of running and marketing a professional football franchise. The Chargers submitted to the City of Santa Ana grading and landscape plans for a five-acre parcel of land to be used as interim headquarters and training facilities "in the event the team exercises its option to relocate to the Los Angeles area." After two weeks of negotiations, the Chargers and Rams came to an agreement in principle on sharing the planned City of Champions Stadium on January 29, 2016. The Chargers would contribute a $200 million stadium loan from the NFL and personal seat license fees to the construction costs, and they would pay $1 per year in rent to the Rams.

As an incentive to work out a stadium deal in their current market, the NFL pledged $100 million to the Chargers if they came to an agreement with the city of San Diego. While the team had until March 2016 to decide if they would relocate to Los Angeles for the season, Chargers chairman/CEO Dean Spanos announced on January 29, 2016, that the team would remain in San Diego for the season. The announcement stated that the team would also be working over the year with government and business leaders on a new stadium proposal to keep the team in San Diego indefinitely. The Chargers continued preliminary work on a ballot initiative for public approval of a new facility.

On February 23, 2016, the Chargers announced that their stadium efforts would be focused on a stadium in East Village, Downtown San Diego and that they would refuse to entertain a more economic plan in Mission Valley. On March 30, it was reported that the stadium would be financed from $650 million from the team and the NFL, with a tax hike of $1.15 billion in bonds, including a $350 million city contribution, $600 million for the convention center, and $200 million to acquire land. On April 21, a rendering of the proposed downtown stadium was unveiled by the Chargers. Two days later, the downtown stadium initiative signature collection was launched with Roger Goodell, Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Mike McCoy, and Dean Spanos. On June 10, the Chargers announced that they had collected 110,786 signatures for the downtown stadium initiative. In July 9, San Diego City Clerk Liz Malland announced that the downtown Chargers stadium initiative had secured enough valid signatures, so on July 18, the San Diego City Council voted 8-0 to put the Chargers stadium plan and the Citizens Plan on the November ballot. On July 28, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce announced its support of the Chargers downtown stadium proposal, and on October 3, Mayor Kevin Faulconer officially announced his support of the Chargers stadium plan.

However, on November 8, 2016, Measure C was voted down (57% opposed vs. 43% in support). The City of San Diego and SDSU reached out to Spanos and the Chargers attempting to negotiate a deal in Mission Valley. The Chargers never responded. At an NFL owners' meeting the following month, the terms of the Chargers and Rams lease agreement, as well as the team's debt ceiling, were approved, thus signaling the Chargers' relocation to Los Angeles for the season. On December 23, 2016, the Chargers agreed to lease part of a Costa Mesa office campus for offices, practice fields, and training facility on nearly 3.2 acres.

On January 12, 2017, Spanos officially announced the Chargers would move to Los Angeles for the 2017 season. Aware of the limited fanbase, the team will play in the StubHub Center in Carson, California, and ultimately share the under-construction Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park with the Los Angeles Rams, making Los Angeles once again a two-NFL franchise city, while leaving the team's hometown San Diego without an NFL team for the first time in 56 years.

Pro Football Hall of Famers
(*) Indicates Player or Coach began his tenure in Los Angeles

Chargers Hall of Fame
The Chargers created their Hall of Fame in 1976. The members of the Hall of Fame are honored at the Chargers Ring of Honor, founded in 2000 and viewable above the visiting team's sideline of Qualcomm Stadium on the press level. Eligible candidates must have been retired for at least four seasons. Selections are made by a five-member committee chaired by Dean Spanos, Chargers vice-chairman. As of 1992, other committee members included Bob Breitbard, founder of the San Diego Hall of Champions; Ron Fowler, president of the Greater San Diego Sports Association; Jane Rappoport, president of the Charger Backers; and Bill Johnston, the team's director of public relations. The Chargers in 2012 allowed fans to vote for the newest member.

50th Anniversary Team
The Chargers announced their 50th Anniversary Team in 2009 to honor the top players and coaches in the team's history. The Chargers were founded in 1959. The team included 53 players and coaches selected from 103 nominees. The Chargers originally stated that only 50 members would be selected. Online voting by fans accounted for 50% of the voting results; votes from Chargers Hall of Famers and five members of the local media made up for the other 50%. Over 400,000 votes were cast online. Dan Fouts and LaDainian Tomlinson received the first and second most votes, respectively. The team features 7 Pro Football Hall of Fame members and 11 players that were active on the 2009 Chargers team.

San Diego Hall of Champions
Lance Alworth, Ron Mix, John Hadl, Charlie Joiner, Don Coryell, Sid Gillman, Gary Garrison, Dan Fouts, Ed White, Kellen Winslow, Earl Faison, Rolf Benirschke, Keith Lincoln, Russ Washington, Stan Humphries, Ernie Ladd, and Doug Wilkerson are also members of the San Diego Hall of Champions, which is open to athletes from the San Diego area as well as those who played for San Diego-based professional and collegiate teams.

Passing
∗ = minimum 15 attempts, # = min. 100 attempts, + = min. 500 attempts

Rushing
∗ = minimum 15 attempts, # = min. 100 attempts, + = min. 500 attempts

Receiving
∗ = minimum 4 receptions, # = min. 20 receptions, + = min. 200 receptions

Special teams, defense, other
∗ = minimum 20; # = min. 5; + = min. 3