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The Chargers have had their fair share of edge rushers this century. From Shaun Phillips to Khalil Mack, which two players will make the Quarter Century Team?
We’re finally on to the edge players!
The
Chargers have had their fair share of talented pass rushers this century which means this group may end up being one of the most competitive of this series. For the first time, we have five names to choose from for the Quarter Century Team’s two vacant spots.
Will stats alone push certain players onto the team? What about overall impact across all aspects of the position? What about the players who weren’t with the team all that long but made one heck of an impression in that short span?
I can’t wait to see how you all vote. Let’s get to it!
Joey Bosa (2016-2024)
Bosa was selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 2016
NFL Draft. He was named the Pepsi Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 10.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in just 12 games (11 starts). Despite dealing with a rash of injuries for the majority of his career, Bosa still finished his time in powder blue with 72 sacks, the second most for a player in franchise history.
In all, Bosa started 93 games while playing in 107 total with the Chargers. He was named to the
Pro Bowl five times (2017, 2019-2021, 2024).
Shaun Phillips (2004-2012)
Phillips was a day-three gem found by the Chargers in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Despite starting just three games in his first two seasons, Phillips found a way to contribute with 11 sacks from 2004-2005. He won a starting job in 2006, playing in 14 games and notching a career-high 11.5 sacks.
Phillips would only record double-digit sacks three times in his career, but his longevity as a seven-year starter for the Chargers helped him finish his career with 69.5 sacks (third all time, which ranked second in franchise history until Bosa bested the mark during the 2024 season.
In 2010, Phillips was named to the first and only Pro Bowl of his career. In 2009, Phillips led the league with seven forced fumbles.
Khalil Mack (2022-2024)
Mack has the shortest tenure with the Chargers amongst these players but it just felt wrong to not include the guy who tied the franchise record for sacks in a season (17) in 2023.
In three seasons, the former first-round pick of the Raiders has accumulated 31 sacks and 39 tackles for loss, both the high marks for any player by far over that span. Even when he’s not taking down a quarterback, Mack’s impact on defending the run, and even getting his hands up in the passing lane, have been essential to the Chargers defense.
With at least one more season to go with the Chargers, Mack has an opportunity to assert himself further into team annals. With 10 sacks in 2025, he’d break into the top 12. With 14, he’d tied Leroy Jones for 10th all time.
Since joining the Chargers, Mack has been named to the Pro Bowl each of the past three seasons. During the 2023 season, Mack crossed the threshold of 100 career sacks to become just the 19th player in league history to do so.
Melvin Ingram (2012-2020)
Ingram was selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL out of South Carolina. After being seen as a ‘tweener coming out of college, Ingram reshaped his body to become one of the best finesse pass rushers in the NFL.
From 2015-2018, Ingram started every single game for the Chargers, amassing 36 sacks and 49 tackles for loss. From 2017-2019, he was named to three consecutive Pro Bowls.
Ingram’s 49 career sacks with the Chargers rank seventh all time in franchise history.
Shawne Merriman (2005-2010)
Merriman was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Maryland. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 57 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. The following year, Merriman earned First-Team All-Pro honors with a whopping 17 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. In 2007, he was named a Second-Team All-Pro after notching another 12.5 sacks and a career-high 19 tackles for loss. Unsurprisingly, he was named to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2005-2007.
After that 2007 season, the injury bug began to wreak havoc in his career. A torn PCL and LCL limited him to just one start in 2008. The next year, Merriman reportedly played through a painful foot injury which limited him to just four sacks. In 2010, Merriman suffered a calf injury that led to him being placed on injured reserve after just four games.
Merriman ended his Chargers career with 43.5 sacks and 50 tackles for loss, the former number placing him 11th all time in franchise history for sacks.
