Los Angeles Chargers: Five players with the most to prove in 2018

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 11: Cornerback Jason Verrett #22 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates with teammate Jahleel Addae #37 after a second half interception against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 11: Cornerback Jason Verrett #22 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates with teammate Jahleel Addae #37 after a second half interception against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G Aiken/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Chargers
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Chargers /

5. Roberto Aguayo, Caleb Sturgis, K

Ok, this one may be a bit cheating as there are two players listed as one with something to prove heading into the 2018 season.

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To be fair, both kickers do have the most to prove not only for themselves this season but to make the Chargers’ special teams unit look respectable next year. The kicking game was the Achilles’ Heel of the Chargers last season and ultimately kept them from making the playoffs.

If the Chargers could have made field goals against the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles then the team would have been 12-4, which would have been good enough for AFC West supremacy. Honestly, as you probably have heard from every Charger fan, the Chargers were a food bad screwups away from going 13-3 or 14-2.

And the kicking game was one of those screw ups.

For Sturgis and Aguayo, they have something to prove in the sense that their careers may be on the line. Sturgis was replaced by rookie Jake Elliott after being put on the IR with a hip injury after week one.

For Aguayo, he was once a kicker with a ton of potential that was drafted out of the second round. After some miscues with the Buccaneers, Aguayo was eventually released and has been limited to practice squads since.

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Only one can emerge as the Chargers primary kicker, but bringing in both Sturgis and Aguayo was smart to provide the duo some competition. With both having a lot to prove, the Chargers kicking game might actually be ok next season.