The Chargers' new general manager will have a lot on his plate. The most pressing concern will be to shore up the offensive line that allowed QB Philip Rivers to be sacked 49 times and hit on 70 other occasions in 2012
The Chargers (7-9) missed the playoffs for the third straight season because they found ways to lose games as a team.
Finding the lowlights in the Chargers' 2012 season was easy enough, but there were a few highlights, too, including the road win against the Steelers in Week 14. Here's a look at the highs and lows of a forgettable year.
The Chargers have begun their search for a new GM to replace A.J. Smith. Once that hire is made, the next priority will be finding a new head coach.
The Chargers in 2013 will play six games against teams who made this year's playoffs: Bengals, twice the Broncos, Colts, Texans and Redskins.
The 2012 season was disappointing for the Chargers (7-9). General Manager A.J. Smith and coach Norv Turner were shown the door on Monday after the Bolts missed the playoffs for a third straight year and no players were selected to the Pro Bowl. Nevertheless, there were a few standouts. Here are the RapidReports picks for MVPs.
The Chargers (7-9) won 24-21 over the hated Raiders (4-12) in the season finale on Sunday. It was an average performance by the Bolts -- but good enough to beat a below-average team.
After a third straight season of not making the playoffs and with home games repeatedly blacked out due to lack of attendance, Chargers owner Dean Spanos fired general manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner on Monday.
The Chargers wrapped up their third straight disappointing season by taking down the Raiders 24-21 on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
Chargers inactives for Sunday's game against the Raiders include RB Edwin Baker and ILB Donald Butler.
LB Rolando McClain and RB Jeremy Stewart are among Oakland's inactives for its game against the Chargers.
Chargers owner/president Dean Spanos will hand over football operations duties to his son, John Spanos, according to an NFL.com report. When it will happen is unknown.
FS Eric Weddle was voted Chargers MVP by his teammates. He leads the team with 103 tackles and three interceptions.
Chargers coach Norv Turner and GM A.J. Smith are expected to be fired sometime next week, so Sunday's game against the Raiders will likely be their curtain call. On the field, San Diego will try to stop mobile Oakland QB Terrelle Pryor, who will be making his first NFL start.
The Chargers had 11 sacks last week against the Jets, and they're hoping to keep the heat on this week against whomever the Raiders pick to be their starting quarterback.