Chargers open 2022 training camp in Costa Mesa
Los Angeles Chargers third-year quarterback Justin Herbert can scramble out of the pocket quickly if he needs to.
His wit is also rather quick.
The final question Herbert fielded from reporters Wednesday morning, after the Los Angeles Chargers held their first training camp practice at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, related to fans cheering for him as he went to sign autographs.
“They were cheering for Khalil Mack, actually,” Herbert said with a laugh.
The Chargers hope that Mack, a six-time Pro Bowl selection who they acquired via trade from the Chicago Bears in March can be a difference-maker at outside linebacker.
Herbert and Mack were a couple of the star players fans came to see as training camp kicked off. Chargers fans are hoping for a breakthrough year after ending last season in crazy fashion.
They nearly tied the rival Raiders in Week 18, a scenario where both teams would have made the playoffs. Instead, Las Vegas earned a 35-32 overtime victory, as the Chargers missed the postseason for the third straight year.
“I didn’t like the way we finished the season, not getting a chance to compete in the tournament,” second-year Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Wednesday. “That stayed with me ever since I walked across that field in the last game. I liked the way we competed as a team in the last four games, but we were 1-3. That’s the facts. We didn’t finish our season, and I think that we’re going to draw a lot of lessons from that.”
Hope springs eternal. Chargers fan Tyler O’Neil of Yorba Linda donned the No. 10 jersey of Herbert as he stood at the front of the line to watch practice. That wasn’t by accident; O’Neil said he was at the complex by 7 a.m., a full hour ahead of when the gates opened.
O’Neil said this was his fourth straight year at Chargers camp.
“I like the fan interactions, seeing the new players come up, getting away from home,” he said. “This is like my zen spot. It’s a good Charger family.
“I always have hopes for every year, but this year has a little bit more special sauce to it. They’ve got some good additions to the defense, the offensive line is going to be a little bit beefier. With Herbert, magic can happen.”
Joe Lazzara and his son Kobe, of Chino, wore Bears jerseys as they also stood in the front row. Kobe, 12, held a sign that read “KMack, Meet KMack,” as he said he shares the nickname of his favorite player.
Kobe said he also plays outside linebacker and defensive end in football.
“We’re half-Chargers fans now,” Joe Lazzara said. “We’ve got to root for him and [Joey] Bosa now ... It’ll be good for the city to see the Rams and Chargers both be good this year. We’re hoping they overthrow the Rams. There’s too many fake Rams fans [after they won Super Bowl LVI last year].”
Making the Super Bowl remains a goal of the Chargers, who are holding nine more practices open to the public in Costa Mesa through Aug. 11. Two joint practices with the Cowboys, on Aug. 17 and 18, will be open exclusively to season-ticket holders.
Free tickets for training camp are available online, and parking is $10.
Mack is a key signing for the Chargers defense that already featured a very skilled pass rusher in Bosa, who had 51 tackles and 10½ sacks a year ago.
“It’s dope,” said Mack, who recorded six sacks in seven games last year. “Starting with [outside linebackers coach] Giff [Smith], another great leader. He’s a fun dude, but when it comes down to work, we work. He does some things that are very impressive and you can see it with Joey and everybody communicating about what they want to do and what they want to feel for that day. It’s different, and it’s unique. I’m looking forward to it.”
One player who was present but didn’t practice Wednesday was star safety Derwin James Jr., who Staley said will not practice while contract negotiations continue.
“He’s out here doing all of the walk-throughs, he’s going to be working out, but he won’t be going full-speed until that gets situated,” Staley said.
The Chargers broke ground in May on a new facility in El Segundo, which is expected to be completed in spring 2024. They expect to hold training camp there, but until then they will continue in Costa Mesa, which has been their headquarters since they moved from San Diego in 2017.
The city recently completed $2.1 million in renovations to Jack Hammett Sports Complex, including 64 new parking spaces, ADA-compliant sidewalks and a five-unit storage building.
“The field looks absolutely beautiful,” said Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens, who attended training camp Wednesday. “The surrounding areas, with the mature trees at Jack Hammett and the Mesa Del Mar homes, it makes it a beautiful training camp. You kind of take it for granted, but it’s great to go out there and see it to its potential.”
The defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams are holding their training camp at UC Irvine, with open practices July 29 through Aug. 10. Free tickets are available online.
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