Is Mike Williams the answer to creating an offensive identity? – Orange County Register

Have the Chargers finally established an offensive identity during their 26-8 win Sunday about the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium? Or are they still shy of meeting their own expectations after improving their record to 4-3 this season? Here’s what we learned, what we heard, and what comes next:

DEADLINE CHATTER

Coach Jim Harbaugh on Sunday referred a question about the upcoming trade deadline to General Manager Joe Hortiz, but it was a fair question for each of them to answer. Clearly, the Chargers could use another experienced and skilled target for quarterback Justin Herbert.

Mike Williams, a former Chargers wide receiver who has fallen out of favor with the New York Jets, could be available before next Tuesday’s deadline. Williams, Derius Davis, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Joshua Palmer could provide Herbert with plenty of options for the second half of the season.

Add veteran DJ Chark, who hasn’t played this season due to injuries, and Williams, who had seven standout seasons with the Chargers before being cut this offseason in a cost-cutting move, to the mix and Herbert could have a formidable season. selection of targets moving forward.

Williams has recovered from a knee injury suffered in Week 3 last season, but he has started just two of eight games for the Jets and has just 11 receptions on 19 targets with no touchdowns. He was on the field for 36 of 62 snaps but was not targeted once against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Newly acquired wide receiver Davante Adams has taken on the role that Williams seemed to have acquired after signing with the Jets. Adams, who was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Jets on October 15, caught four passes on six targets for 54 yards in New York’s 25-22 loss to the Patriots.

Asked Sunday about the upcoming trade deadline, Harbaugh simply said, “That’s a Joe Hortiz question. I know he always is, he has our back, he has our front, he has both sides, front, back and sides. I know he will always do what he can to help our team.”

In other words: stay informed.

Something could be in the works on Tuesday.

Hortiz seems much more willing to make roster changes, as evidenced by a flurry of moves during the final days of training camp. He is different from his predecessor, Tom Telesco, who has been inactive at the trade deadline in recent seasons. Hortiz indicated earlier this month that he was looking for possible deals.

“I think we will always listen and watch,” Hortiz said on Oct. 2. “Again, this is the right opportunity that makes sense for our roster and for the future and for us now and for the future. You have to evaluate all the possibilities for a short-term and immediate impact, and then the long-term impact.”

BOSA IS BACK

As expected, outside linebacker Joey Bosa’s participation was limited on Sunday. He said so much about the match. He ultimately played 20 of 71 total defensive snaps, or 27%, in his return to the field after sitting out the past three games due to a hip injury suffered in Week 3.

In fact, he might as well have been sidelined for the last four games, as he was injured on the very first defensive play in the Chargers’ Sept. 22 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He wasn’t credited with a tackle against the Saints, but it was enough to get him back into the lineup.

The Chargers have made do with a quick rotation of Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree in Bosa’s absence, and they’ve been one of the many reasons why the defense has been the stingiest in the NFL over the last eight weeks. The Chargers have given up a low 13 points per game.

Bosa played only nine games last season and five in 2022 due to injuries.