San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers (Photo by dean bertoncelj on Shutterstock)
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Best Chargers Players Of All Time: Top 5 Legendary Football Players, According to Fans

December 31, 2023
by Matthew Sherdan

The Chargers football team was founded in Los Angeles in 1959 before moving south to San Diego in 1961. The Chargers called San Diego home for the next 60 years before moving back to Los Angeles. This team has always been known for their high-flying offense complete with stud quarterbacks and next-level pass catchers. Undoubtedly, some amazing athletes have come through the Chargers organization, but only a few can be called the best Chargers players of all time. 

Speaking of players coming up with an organization, a recent study suggests that fans prefer championship teams comprised of homegrown talent instead of teams stacked with pricey free agents. Researchers at the University of Kansas surveyed 1,500 Americans and found that sports fans prefer championship teams comprised of drafted or “homegrown” players to teams comprised of expensive free-agent players. Apparently, sports fans appreciate the hard work and dedication it takes to build a championship team from the ground up. 

Finding the right blend of drafted players and free agents is easier said than done. Regardless of how your team is built, a recent study found that simply attending live sporting events is excellent for your mental health. In fact, attending sporting events regularly can boost your mental health as much as getting a job. A survey out of England found that respondents who recently attended a live sporting event – professional or otherwise – scored better in terms of “life satisfaction” than those who had not recently been to a game. The survey of 7,000 adults is the first of its kind to examine the mental health benefits of attending sporting events. Overall, sports fans claim that watching live events makes them feel more ‘worthwhile’ and leaves them feeling satisfied. That’s certainly a great reason to get out to a Chargers game in the fall. 

So, which players are considered the greatest in Chargers franchise history? StudyFinds did the research, consulting 10 sports and football-related websites in an effort to bring you a consensus best Chargers players of all time. Our list comprises the five most frequently listed Chargers players from across these sites. Think your favorite Charger was snubbed? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below! 

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Football (Photo by Dave Adamson on Unsplash)

The List: Best Chargers Players, According to Sports Experts

1. Junior Seau

The top spot on the list of the best Chargers players of all time belongs to none other than the legendary Junior Seau. Seau is by far the best linebacker in franchise history, and he’s easily one of the top defensive players in the history of the NFL. “Simply stated, Seau is Mr. Charger. No player was more synonymous with the franchise than the Oceanside native was in 13 seasons with the club. Playing with an extraordinary mix of emotion, instinct and improvisation, Seau earned 12 Pro Bowl selections with the Chargers. The durable linebacker ranks fourth in franchise history with 200 games played and missed only eight games during his tenure with the team. Drafted No. 5 overall out of USC in 1990, Seau racked up 1,478 tackles, 47 sacks, 15 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and 16 fumble recoveries with the Chargers,” explains Chargers Wire. 

Seau’s stats over the course of his career with the Chargers organization are absolutely incredible. Seau’s greatness wasn’t just limited to the football field, and he’s regarded as one of the game’s great humanitarians. “He was first-team All-Pro for six years. Only long-snapper David Binn has worn the lightning bolt helmet in more games than Seau. He was the 1994 Walter Peyton Man of the Year. He had more than 100 tackles in seven seasons while with the Chargers. He was the unquestioned leader of the only Charger team to play in the Super Bowl. No one has more tackles or fumble recoveries in San Diego history. He should be considered one of the top 10 linebackers to ever play the game and easily the best defender in San Diego team history,” furthers Bleacher Report. 

Seau was physically gifted but he was more than willing to put in the work needed to be great at his position and to help lift his team. In 1994, Seau helped lead the Chargers to their first and only Super Bowl appearance. Although Seau and the Chargers lost that game to one of the best 49ers teams we’ve ever seen, his legacy with the Chargers is unmatched. Unfortunately, Seau struggled with brain injuries after his retirement and the legendary defender took his own life in 2012. 

“Seau played with the Chargers from 1990 until 2003 and anchored the defense. During his time with the team, Seau missed just eight games. He had 1,478 tackles, 47 sacks, and 15 interceptions in the course of his Chargers career. Off the field, he was also a superstar, involving himself in charity work in the San Diego area. For his charitable efforts, he was NFL Man of the Year in 2004. Tragically, Seau took his own life in 2012. In 2015 he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a bittersweet honor for the Chargers’ greatest player of all time,” adds Clutch Points. 

2. Lance Alworth

Lance Alworth is far and away one of the best receivers in the history of the Chargers organization, and his name is synonymous with catching passes in the NFL. “Lance Alworth was one of the Chargers’ first true star players, and in fact, one of the first true star players of the NFL. Alworth played for the Chargers between 1962 and 1970. The NFL-AFL merger occurred in 1966, so Alworth found much of his early success in the AFL, where he put together a career rich with accolades and awards,” explains Rookie Road. 

Alworth’s receiving stats were impressive for any era of NFL wide receivers, and he accomplished these feats while the league was far more running-back-centric. Alworth put up seven straight 1,000-yard seasons as a Charger, and he’s widely regarded as one of the best receivers to ever play. “Lance Alworth was one of the original superstar NFL receivers, despite playing in an era that prioritized running the ball. Alworth posted seven straight 1,000-yard campaigns in the 1960s on his way to earning a place in Canton,” furthers Pro Sports Outlook. 

Alworth was known for jumping over defenders to snag a big pass, but the Hall of Famer could also take a short pass the length of the field for a big catch and run. Alworth could do it all, and the Chargers legend ranked fourth all-time in NFL receiving yards when he retired. 

“Alworth only played four Games as a rookie due to injuries, but in 1963 he began a seven-year streak where he had at least 1,000 Receiving Yards and was a First Team All-Pro in the first six.  Alworth was the AFL’s leader in Receiving Yards three times, was a three-time leader in Receiving Touchdowns, and was easily one of the most offensive skill players in the history of the AFL. Alworth helped the Chargers win the 1963 AFL Title, and his yardage from the air was so prolific that he also was a two-time league-leader in Yards From Scrimmage,” adds Not in Hall of Fame. 

3. LaDainian Tomlinson

Running into the third spot on the list of the top players in Chargers franchise history is none other than LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson is one of the greatest running backs of his generation, and he’s widely regarded as one of the best running backs to ever suit up in the NFL. “LaDanian Tomlinson was the driving force of the Chargers and carried the team on his back for his first seven years in the NFL. Tomlinson was drafted in the first round of the 2001 draft and was runner-up for offensive rookie of the year. From there, he went on to have five pro bowl selections, three first-team all-pros, three second-team all-pros, and was voted MVP in 2006. That was also the best year of his career. He rushed for 1,815 yards and had 31 total TDs (28 rushing & 3 receiving). His 28 rushing TDs and 31 total TDs are the most for both in NFL History. No one has even come close since that year,” explains Defiant Takes Football. 

Tomlinson still holds the record for most total touchdowns in a single season with 31. As NFL fans, we’ll likely never see another season like Tomlinson’s record-breaking season ever again. “From the early 2000’s, LT defined a Chargers franchise which reached the playoffs five times during his tenure. From his rookie season in 2001, LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns or more eight straight times. Throughout those eight seasons, Tomlinson averaged 1,470 yards and 15.75 rushing touchdowns. It is no wonder why the former TCU horned frog is ranked second in NFL history for his 145 rushing touchdowns. Not only that, LT also was a great receiver, catching 530 passes for 3,955 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Chargers,” adds NFL Spin Zone. 

Along with Walter Payton, Tomlinson is easily one of the best dual-threat running backs in NFL history. Tomlinson scored a minimum of 10 touchdowns every single season he played with the Chargers. “The Chargers moved down in the 2001 draft and still managed to land the franchise-altering running back LaDanian Tomlinson instead of picking Michael Vick. Tomlinson spent nine seasons with the Chargers and racked up the accolades during that time. Tomlinson led the league in rushing yards in 2006 (1,815) and 2007 (1,474). He also led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2004 (17), 2006 (28) and 2007 (15). Tomlinson’s 28 rushing touchdowns in a single season is the most ever recorded. He just narrowly beat out Shaun Alexander’s 27,” furthers Fox News. 

4. Dan Fouts

The fourth spot on the list of the best players in Chargers franchise history belongs to one of the best quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen – Dan Fouts. Fouts ran a pass-heavy offense during an era when offenses were more focused on the running game, and he excelled at airing out the football. “At the time of his retirement, Dan Fouts was one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. Fouts was selected with the 64th overall pick in the 1973 draft. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time First Team All-Pro. Fouts’ best season was in 1981 when he threw for 4,802 yards and 33 touchdowns. Two years in a row, Fouts led the Chargers to the AFC Championship game. When he retired, he had thrown for 43,040 yards which was second at the time, only bested by Fran Tarkenton. In 1993, Fouts was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” explains Clutch Points. 

Fouts and Dan Marino are widely regarded as the two best quarterbacks to never win a Super Bowl. However, as one expert explains, Fouts wasn’t just a great thrower of the football, the Chargers legend was also a great leader. “Dan Fouts should be considered the best leader to ever take the field for the Chargers. He is often mentioned as one of the best quarterbacks to never win a Super Bowl, but that is more an indictment against the defenses he played with as opposed to his skills. He may not be one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, but he should be considered one of the top 15 signal-callers to ever take the field,” furthers Bleacher Report. 

Like a lot of the NFL’s best players, Fouts was fortunate enough to get paired with a great head coach. Don Coryell was hired in the middle of Fouts’ prime years with the Chargers, and once he got a head coach willing to design an offensive scheme to fit his strengths, Fouts was absolutely unstoppable as an NFL quarterback.   

“Fouts arrived as a Third Rounder in 1973, and his first five seasons in the NFL were not terrible, nor were they were impressive. This changed in 1978 when the Chargers named Don Coryell as their Head Coach.  Coryell believed in a high-octane, long pass system, and this enabled Fouts to use his complete skill set. From 1979 to 1982, Fouts was the NFL’s most prolific passer, and he led the NFL in Passing Yards in all of those seasons. Fouts was the first player to throw for over 4,000 Yards in three straight seasons, and he was first in Passing Yards per Game in six different years,” furthers Not in Hall of Fame. 

5. Kellen Winslow

Rounding out the list of the best Chargers players of all time is none other than legendary tight end, Kellen Winslow. Winslow played with all-time great quarterback Dan Fouts and he’s a big reason why his Chargers offenses were so successful during his time with the team. “Winslow, the Chargers’ first-round draft pick in 1979, revolutionized the tight end position. The 6-foot-5, 251-pound Missouri alum led the league in receptions twice and finished in the top three two other seasons. He also exceeded 1,000 receiving yards three times on his way to five Pro Bowl selections. In his nine NFL seasons, all with the Chargers, Winslow caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns,” explains Chargers Wire. 

Winslow was a great college football player, but he really took his game to the next level with the Chargers in the NFL. Winslow had some all-time performances, but he’s remembered for helping to revolutionize the tight end position. “Tight ends were normally lined up on the line of scrimmage right next to an offensive tackle, but the size and speed Winslow possessed allowed coach Don Coryell to ‘flex’ him out in the slot or even on the outside like a wide receiver. That may be a common sight in the NFL now, but in the 1980s it was revolutionary. While never a great blocker, he held his own against defenders in the run game. The presence of a Hall of Fame quarterback and wide receiver helped open up one-on-one opportunities for Winslow, and he made the most of them. To say he was the best tight end who ever played could easily be defended,” writes Bleacher Report. 

Winslow is widely regarded as one of the top tight ends to ever play in the NFL. However, Winslow was willing to truly give it his all to win a football game and he’s fondly remembered for one of the best playoff performances in NFL history. “Some would argue that he could have been considered great from just one game. In 1982, the Chargers played against the Miami Dolphins for the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. This game went on to be known as the ‘Epic in Miami.’ It was a great game overall, but nothing was more inspiring than Winslow’s performance in that game. Winslow had 13 receptions for 166 yards and a TD. At the time, it was the most catches in his career and the second-most yards. It was such a taxing game that he had to be carried off the field by his teammates. He literally gave it his all to win that game,” furthers Defiant Takes Football. 

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