The Los Angeles Chargers had a lot of changes this offseason, especially with their coaching staff. The Chargers got rid of Anthony Lynn and hired Brandon Staley, the former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator who didn't have to travel very far to his new office.

Well, the Chargers also have the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year in Justin Herbert. Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen are the other stars on the offense and the team has a revamped offensive line. The Chargers signed Corey Linsley to man the center position and added veteran tight end Jared Cook after Hunter Henry signed a big deal with the New England Patriots in a rather unsurprising move.

However, there is one X factor for the 2021 season as the Chargers look to begin the Staley era with a successful season. Oh, and the x-factor isn't Herbert, who is set to put the sophomore slump talk to bed.

Derwin James

Remember Derwin James, the former first-round pick who is full of excitement and talent? Well, he is back. James didn't play a single regular-season game in 2020 after suffering an injury, and his absence was a brutal blow to the Chargers defense–and team as a whole.

Gus Bradley left to be the defensive coordinator in Las Vegas, and the Chargers' new regime will have Brandon Staley in their ears quite a bit. James is electric, and perhaps one of the top safeties in the entire NFL when healthy.

If he can stay healthy, he can lead this group to massive heights with Joey Bosa asserting his dominance up front and relentlessly getting after the quarterback time and time again. James is another relentless type that can do just about everything.

In his rookie year, he played all 16 games and had 3.5 sacks with three interceptions. However, in 2019, he played in just five games as he dealt with an injury and missed 2020. So, if he is healthy, it will be a gigantic boost to the Chargers' defense that should see a monumental change with Staley as the head coach.

Of course, he made some noise during joint practices with the San Francisco 49ers as he stepped in front of George Kittle and returned the interception all the way for a touchdown.

Plain and simple, Derwin James is that guy, and his health is of utmost importance if this group wants to be able to shut down opposing offenses. Remember, they play Patrick Mahomes twice a year, which is always a tough task.