Bolts From The Blue
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!
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).
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.
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...
