At the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, fans of the Los Angeles Chargers were cautiously optimistic about the direction of the franchise, what with Brandon Staley taking the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2018 the year before.
At the beginning of the 2024 NFL season, fans of the Los Angeles Chargers will be cautiously optimistic once more, only now, it's because they signed the best coach available in Michigan's Jim Harbaugh who has been tasked with taking the bones of the last administration and building it into a long-term contender.
With quality players like Justin Herbert and Joey Bosa still in place, the Chargers aren't a team devoid of talent by any means, but considering how the season ended last year, they are far from a finished product either. Fortunately, there are still players who could be added to LA's roster if they find themselves looking for additional talent for Herbert, including a reliable slot threat who could help to fill some very big shoes.
Hunter Renfrow could fill a clear role for the Los Angeles Chargers.
For his entire tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers, when Herbert needed someone to catch an important pass with a drive, a half, or even an entire game on the line, he would routinely turn to Allen, who went from a dynamic monster to a reliable possession receiver who could complement younger players in the same offense.
While Renfrow isn't Allen, doesn't have the same track record, and isn't belonged by SoCal football fans who prefer to wear a lighter shade of blue to SoFi Stadium, he is the sort of lunchpale performer who can show up each week, do all of the little things right, and ultimately catch key passes when it matters most during a game.
Sure, technically the Chargers have veterans Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, and DJ Chark competing with 2024 draft picks Ladd McConkey, Branden Rice, and Cornelius Johnson for playing time in Jim Harbaugh's notoriously run-heavy offense, but if one or more of those players don't look ready to roll heading into the future, or worse, someone suffers an injury, don't be surprised if Chargers GM Joe Hortiz looks outside the building to ensure the team doesn't collapse spectacularly like last season, with Renfrow seemingly at the top of every team's available free agents list should they find themselves in need of a new slot wide receiver.
Joe Hortiz explains why the Chargers traded Keenan Allen.
If the Chargers opted to keep Allen this offseason, setting up an all-time franchise legend to complete his career with the team he started it with, they wouldn't need a player like Renfrow to further fortify their possession receiver options, but for Hortiz, sometimes tough decisions need to be made.
Discussing the team's decision to trade away the Cal product after 11 seasons with the team, Horitz noted that he knew what decision he was making and still pulled it off because of the team's financial situation.
“Yeah, I knew who I was trading. He's a very talented player and I respect him as a player, as a person. It's difficult when you have to cut a player, trade a player, release a player.
“It's always difficult for a player like him certainly, but it creates an opportunity for other players to step up. Again, we're not done building that room out so we're going to look to continue to add pieces to that room. I think when you're talking about trading Keenan specifically, yeah that's not a decision you make with no acknowledgment of, ‘This is a talented player that can still compete.”
While some fans will forever be upset with Horitz for letting Allen go – not to mention Mike Williams – for the new GM, it had some upside too, as it allowed for more financial versatility heading into 2024.
“It created unique cap space. Remember, we got a draft pick. You have to budget a budget off to the side for Injured Reserve, in-season signings. It gives us flexibility,” Hortiz added.
“I know in the past there haven't been a lot of additions during the season with trades, but that's something I believe in. If you have a chance to trade for a good player midseason that helps your team win this year, and you can potentially extend and create value for going forward, I think you have to give yourself that flexibility going forward.”
With three new wide receivers added in the draft and the opportunity to add even more talent like Renfrow before the end of the season, it's clear the Chargers have plenty of flexibility and optionality heading into the future. Whether they can turn into the a player on par with Allen, however, remains to be seen.
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