By Robby Zschoche, PSO Director of Sports Content
Sep 18, 2022

LaDainian Tomlinson set the NFL record for the most consecutive games (14) with a RUSH TD on September 18, 2005 exactly 17 years ago that still stands today at 18 games, so it’s a great time to look at the Los Angeles Chargers’ top-5 greatest players of all time with him cracking the list.



Founded in 1960 as a member of the American Football League, San Diego immediately found success, posting winning seasons in nine of 10 AFL campaigns. The Chargers also captured the 1963 AFL title before transitioning to the National Football League in 1970. The Bolts struggled throughout their first NFL decade, waiting until 1979 to appear in the postseason. Following a short run of success in the early-1980s, the Chargers entered a long-term run of losing that was only broken in a few seasons.

After drafting legendary Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees in 2001, their fortunes seemed to turn slightly until injury concerns ultimately led to #9 moving onto New Orleans. However, this may have been a blessing in disguise for San Diego, as after trading future Super Bowl champ Eli Manning for Quarterback Philip Rivers in 2004 before Brees’ departure, they were set at the position for almost two decades. Rivers began a legendary 16-year career with the Chargers, stabilizing the franchise and posting some of the most prolific numbers by any signal-caller in NFL history.

Despite never winning an NFL Super Bowl Championship, the Chargers (whether in Los Angeles or San Diego) have produced some of the best players in NFL history with many legendary stars wearing Charger blue. This list contains guys who wrote their names in football’s record books on their way to Hall of Fame caliber careers. Honorable mention includes: Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow, Ron Mix.

Here are the top 5 greatest Los Angeles Chargers players of all time. Create your own rankings below! 


PSO Rankings

1
LB JUNIOR SEAU

SEAU’S CHARGERS FACTS:

– 12x Pro Bowl | 6x All-Pro 1st Team, 3x 2nd Team

– 1994 NFL SOLO TKL (124) leader | 1995 FR-TD (1) leader

– 1990s All-Decade | Chargers career TKL (1,480) leader

 

Drafted 5th overall, Junior Seau didn’t disappoint, anchoring the Chargers’ defense for 13 years. Seau’s combination of elite quickness, athleticism, and passion for the game proved invaluable as he helped San Diego shut down opponents.

2
RB LADAINIAN TOMLINSON

LT’S CHARGERS FACTS:

– 2006 NFL MVP & OPOY | 2000’s All-Decade Team

– 3x All-Pro 1st Team, 3x 2nd Team | 5x Pro Bowl

– 2x NFL RUSH YDS, 3x RUSH TD Leader | #21 retired by Chargers

 

Using his ridiculous bursts of speed and quickness along with a physical running style, LaDainian Tomlinson forged a career as one of the most productive Running Backs in NFL history. LT’s career produced some of the greatest rushing highlights ever as he broke open many NFL and Charger records.

3
QB PHILIP RIVERS

RIVERS’ CHARGERS FACTS:

– Most Chargers career QB Wins (123) & PASS YDS (59,271)

– 2013 NFL CPOY | 2010 NFL PASS YDS (4,720) leader

– Chargers career PASS TD (397) & CMP (4908) leader

 

One of the most entertaining players to watch in the 2000s and 2010s, Philip Rivers led a prolific Chargers offense alongside Antonio Gates on his way to posting one of the best statistical careers of all time.

4
TE ANTONIO GATES

GATES’ CHARGERS FACTS:

– 8x Pro Bowl | 3x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team

– Chargers career REC YDS (11,841) & REC TD (116) leader

– 2000s All-Decade Team | TE career REC TD (116) leader

 

Over a legendary 16-year career, Antonio Gates built a career unrivaled by almost any Tight End in NFL history. His sure hands, crafty route running, and toughness allowed him to be a consistent target on a weekly basis for QB Philip Rivers.

5
WR LANCE ALWORTH

ALWORTH’S CHARGERS FACTS:

– 7x Pro Bowl | 6x All-Pro 1st Team, 1969 2nd Team

– HOF Class of 1978 | 1972 Super Bowl Champion

– 3x REC YDS leader, 3x REC TD leader, 3x REC leader

 

Lance Alworth was one of the original superstar NFL receivers, despite playing in an era that prioritized running the ball. Alworth posted seven straight 1,000-yard campaigns in the 1960s on his way to earning a place in Canton.

My Rankings

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