5 Chargers Whose Time in L.A. Will End After the Wild Card Round Loss

The Chargers' season is officially over and it's hard to look at it as anything other than a success despite the disappointing loss to the Texans. Jim Harbaugh immediately turned Los Angeles into a playoff team and there is a strong foundation moving forward.

There are still holes on the roster and now it's time to focus on fixing them. Justin Herbert is obviously a franchise quarterback, but he needs more weapons. Ladd McConkey was a hit and Quentin Johnston finished strong beside the Texans game, yet there are few proven options behind them.

Fixing a defense that leaked down the stretch is also a priority. Things can and will change, though the Chargers only have 15 players under contract entering the offseason. Let's look at some guys whose time is over after the loss.

1. Hayden Hurst - TE

Originally signed to help support Will Dissly as a reliable pass-catching threat, Hayden Hurst's first season with the Chargers didn't go as planned. He was limited to just nine games for the second straight year, catching a meager eight passes for 73 yards.

There just isn't much reason for Los Angeles to re-sign the 31-year-old tight end. Simply put, it's time for the front office to actually invest in a bonafide threat at the position. Penn State's Tyler Warren could be a first-round target, and the Chargers can transform their offense by finding a legitimate upgrade.

This more athletic version of Hurst seems to be gone, largely due to the nagging injuries he's dealt with over the last few years. He currently has 1,975 yards and 15 TDs in his career, though he couldn't consistently produce for a Chargers offense that could've used a jolt at times.

Harbaugh likes to build his teams around a stellar rushing attack. Being able to block as a tight end is a major plus, though it shouldn't come at the expense of pass-catching. Expect Los Angeles to be in the market for potentially multiple tight ends as they reshape the roster around Herbert.