Roster Adjustments Keep the Los Angeles Chargers Competitive

In the NFL, where injuries and inconsistent play can derail even the most promising seasons, strategic roster adjustments are often the difference between falling out of contention and staying in the fight. For the Los Angeles Chargers, the 2024 season has been a masterclass in this balance: facing key injuries (including Justin Herbert’s season-ending shoulder surgery) and positional gaps, the team’s front office and coaching staff have made targeted moves—trades, free agent signings, and practice squad elevations—to keep the roster competitive. These adjustments haven’t just filled holes; they’ve preserved the team’s spirit, kept fans engaged, and ensured the Chargers remain a tough opponent for every team they face. Roster Adjustments Keep the Los Angeles Chargers Competitive explores the most impactful moves, how they’ve addressed critical needs, and why they’ve been essential to the team’s resilience this season.

Roster Adjustments Keep the Los Angeles Chargers Competitive begins with the midseason trade for offensive tackle Trevor Penning—a move designed to shore up an offensive line that had been struggling with depth and consistency. Acquired from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick, Penning (a former first-round draft pick) brought much-needed size (6-foot-7, 325 pounds) and athleticism to the Chargers’ tackle group. With starting right tackle Trey Pipkins III dealing with occasional injuries and backup options limited, Penning’s addition provided a reliable swing tackle who could step in at either left or right tackle. Early in his Chargers tenure, Penning focused on learning the team’s scheme and reducing penalties (a past issue in New Orleans), and by late November, he was seeing rotational snaps in games. “Trevor’s arrival gave us flexibility we didn’t have before,” said Chargers offensive line coach Brendan Nugent. “When Pipkins tweaked his knee in Week 13, we didn’t have to panic—we knew Trevor could hold his own. That’s the kind of adjustment that keeps you competitive when things go wrong.” Penning’s presence also allowed the Chargers to avoid shifting interior linemen to tackle, a move that would have created new gaps elsewhere on the line.

Another critical adjustment was the elevation of backup quarterback Easton Stick from the practice squad to the active roster—a move that became urgent when Herbert was ruled out for the season. Stick, a fourth-year player who had spent his entire career as Herbert’s understudy, had seen limited game action before 2024 but had spent years learning the Chargers’ offense. The team’s decision to prioritize Stick over signing a veteran free agent quarterback was a calculated one: Stick knew the playbook, had built chemistry with teammates like Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen, and wouldn’t require weeks of scheme adjustment. To support Stick, the Chargers also elevated rookie quarterback Max Duggan from the practice squad to serve as the backup, ensuring depth at the most important position. “Sticking with Easton wasn’t just about familiarity—it was about trust,” said Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. “He’d been in our meetings, our practices, our film sessions for four years. He knew exactly what we needed him to do, and that let us hit the ground running instead of starting over.” By Week 15, Stick was making his first NFL start, and while the Chargers didn’t win, he completed 62% of his passes and led two scoring drives—showing the adjustment had paid off in keeping the offense functional.

A key aspect of Roster Adjustments Keep the Los Angeles Chargers Competitive is the signing of veteran defensive end Mario Addison—a move that bolstered a pass rush that had been inconsistent without injured edge rusher Chris Rumph II. Addison, a 12-year NFL veteran with 60 career sacks, was signed to a one-year deal in early October after being released by the Houston Texans. His addition didn’t just bring production; it brought leadership and experience to a young defensive line group that included rookies like Tuli Tuipulotu. Addison quickly became a rotational pass rusher, playing 25–30 snaps per game and recording two sacks in his first five games with the team. For the Los Angeles Chargers, Addison’s signing was about more than stats—it was about maintaining a threat on the edge that opposing offenses couldn’t ignore. “Mario knows how to rush the passer in crunch time,” said Chargers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. “When we’re in third-and-long, having a guy with his experience who can win one-on-one is huge. It keeps our defense competitive because it forces quarterbacks to get rid of the ball faster, which helps our secondary.” Addison also served as a mentor to Tuipulotu, helping the rookie refine his technique—a long-term benefit that extended beyond the 2024 season.

Another essential adjustment was the practice squad elevation of running back Larry Rountree III—a move that addressed depth issues in the backfield after Ekeler missed two games with a hamstring strain. Rountree, who had spent time with the Chargers in 2022 and 2023, was familiar with the team’s run scheme and quickly stepped into a backup role behind Zamir White. In his first game back (Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals), Rountree rushed for 45 yards on 10 carries and caught two passes for 18 yards, helping the Chargers control the clock and secure a 20–17 win. For the Los Angeles Chargers, relying on practice squad elevations like Rountree was a way to maintain competitiveness without giving up draft capital or long-term salary cap space. “Practice squad players are part of our team all year—they’re in every meeting, every practice,” said Chargers general manager Tom Telesco. “When we need them to step up, they’re ready because they’ve been with us the whole time. Larry’s performance showed why we invest in that depth. It keeps us competitive even when our starters are out.” Rountree’s elevation also allowed the Chargers to avoid changing their run-heavy game plan, which had been a key part of their success earlier in the season.

Wrapping up Roster Adjustments Keep the Los Angeles Chargers Competitive is the cumulative impact of these moves—how they’ve kept the team in games, preserved fan morale, and laid the groundwork for future success. While the Chargers ultimately fell short of the playoffs in 2024, their roster adjustments ensured they were competitive in 14 of their 17 games, with seven losses coming by one score or less. For the Los Angeles Chargers, these moves also provided valuable insights: Penning proved he could be a long-term option at tackle, Stick showed he could handle NFL snaps, and Addison demonstrated the value of veteran depth. These lessons will shape the team’s offseason planning, from re-signing key players to targeting new additions in the draft. “Roster adjustments aren’t just about getting through the season—they’re about building for the future,” said Telesco. “Every move we made this year was with two goals: keeping us competitive now and setting us up for success later. That balance is what keeps a franchise relevant year after year.” For fans, the adjustments were a sign that the team’s front office was committed to winning, even in a challenging season. Roster Adjustments Keep the Los Angeles Chargers Competitive ultimately shows that in the NFL, success isn’t just about having talent—it’s about knowing how to adjust, adapt, and maximize the roster you have. The Chargers’ 2024 season is a testament to that principle.