The Los Angeles Chargers 2021 season ended in heartbreak. They were seconds away from tying the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18 and clinching a berth in the postseason for the first time since the 2018 season. Alas, the Raiders kicked a field goal at the gun, sending the Chargers home early again.

It's hard to argue that the Chargers do not have one of the more talented rosters in the entire NFL. They have a rising star at quarterback in Justin Herbert. Austin Ekeler is one of the most productive tailbacks in the league. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are one of the more potent one-two combos at wide receiver. The defense has Joey Bosa, Derwin James Jr. and Chris Harris Jr. on defense.

Despite the talent on the roster, the team finished 9-8 and third in the AFC West.

Here is the franchise's biggest need as they head into the 2022 NFL offseason.

Chargers Biggest Need Heading into 2022 NFL Offseason

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE

The Los Angeles Chargers have a few key unrestricted free agents that fans will hope they are able to bring back. Namely, cornerback Chris Harris Jr., wide receiver Mike Williams and defensive tackle Linval Joseph.

Harris and Williams are very important. They both play at positions of strength for the team. Meanwhile, Joseph and the defensive line was arguably the weakest unit.

The Chargers inability to stop the run has been a problem for years. There is nothing worse than having an offense led by a player like Justin Herbert have to sit and watch from the sidelines as the other team shoves the ball down your throat. A prime example of this happened in their inexplicable loss to the Texans.

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Herbert sat and watched as Rex Burkhead ran for a buck fifty and two scores. Houston dominated time of possession. It's honestly astounding that Chargers have not addressed this need in recent years.

Los Angeles finished the season 30th in the NFL, allowing 138.9 yards per game on the ground.

You already know it will be difficult to beat the Kansas City Chiefs consistently. They played each other evenly this year, each team winning once and could have swept both. But knowing you will play four other games against the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders, you need to be able to stop the running game.

Denver features the two-headed monster backfield with Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams. The Raiders feature Josh Jacobs.

Essentially the final play of the Chargers season came down to their inability to stop the run. Head coach Brandon Staley says he called the controversial timeout to get his best run-stopping personnel on the field. If they stop Josh Jacobs from picking up any yards, the Chargers likely make the playoffs. They didn't. Jacobs, against their best run-stopping personnel on an obvious running play, rushed for 10 yards and ended the Chargers season.