A Letter to Chargers Fans: The Chargers Are Still the Chargers

Congratulations on the big Monday Night Football win Charger fans! While you might still be celebrating the victory over your hated rival, the ones who shall not be named (Raiders), We’d like to write this note to remind you about the emotional roller coaster that comes with being a Charger fan.

You know what we’re talking about; the instances that have you yelling at the screen and raising your blood pressure to perhaps unhealthy levels. The one where the Chargers are up 21-0 at halftime yet almost allow a team to get back into the game with unforced 15 yard penalties and offsides. Or illegal shift penalties in the red zone that prevent you from earning your first win at home against the Dallas Cowboys. Or when you give the ball back to arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League in Patrick Mahomes with 32 seconds in the fourth quarter.

Sure, you guys are the top dog in the AFC West with a 3-1 record at the moment. Yes, rookie head coach Brandon Staley has managed to create a paradigm shift within the organization. Yes, you do have a talented wide receiver corp and a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert. Yes, your team took down the mighty Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Finally, yes, the Bolts broke the Raiders’ undefeated streak at SoFi Stadium.

Everything listed above is great and all, however, just a friendly reminder, your team is still not the team to beat in the AFC West; that honor still belongs to Andy Reid’s Chiefs.

Your run defense still needs work, even though it improved against the Raiders. Your defensive backs still commit too many costly pass interference penalties and some of your players have a knack for committing unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Finally, as for your kicker, well, let’s just say we wouldn’t necessarily trust him in a do-or-die situation. Yes, you are a talented football team, but you don’t rack up wins on talent alone. There are still holes that need to be addressed within your squad that will be exposed if they aren’t addressed quickly as the season progresses.

Speaking of holes, by now, you should know, that the city of Los Angeles- well at least the fans- don’t want you there. Heck, your ‘home’ game on Monday night sounded more like we were watching an away game live from the ‘Black Hole’ on ESPN. You haven’t earned the right to be a part of the community because, well the Chargers are still the Chargers.

What does that mean? It means that your beloved team somehow, some way, always seems to find creative ways to choke and disappoint you, the fans. It means that no lead is safe when you’re winning because you don’t have the patience and the discipline to remain under control and not commit any dumb penalties. It means that your team is its own worst enemy, because for some reason you have been unable to break the nasty habit of shooting yourselves in the foot; come crunch time near the end of the season.

Therefore, as a friendly advice, please refrain from boasting about winning a Monday Night Football game in the fourth week of the season. A win is a win, that we agree, but it’s a long season and given your track record, the emotional roller coaster ride is just getting started. You have a tough upcoming opponent in Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns this Sunday. Might we add, the Browns are no longer the same Browns; they’re good and most importantly, they’re not afraid to run the ball.

Hence why we must emphasize, ANYTHING can happen with your team in the next 12 weeks. Thus, we urge you to remain humble in success; because if you don’t, the league will humble you in despair and frustration.

Stay safe, keep your blood pressure under control and Bolt Up- but just remember just when you think the Chargers are good, they disappoint you in ways you can’t even imagine. Therefore, stay humble and carry on.