Center Corey Linsley on the Chargers’ O

COSTA MESA — The numbers told an ugly story last season, but Chargers center Corey Linsley wasn't about to avoid the subject Wednesday. He accepted blame on behalf of his fellow offensive linemen for a running game that ran the gamut from ineffective to lackluster and back again.

The Chargers rushed for a paltry 1,524 yards last season, more than only the Houston Texans (1,476) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1,308) in the 32-team NFL. They were one of only four teams to average less than 4 yards per carry (3.8), joining the Cincinnati Bengals (3.8), Texans (3.7) and Buccaneers (3.4).

Attempts to establish an effective running game proved to be futile from start to finish in the 2022 season, invariably bringing up second-and-long situations for quarterback Justin Herbert. Opponents then knew exactly what was coming, making it easier to defend the Chargers’ passing game.

"I think it's really obvious the running game lacked," said Linsley, entering his third season with the Chargers and his 10th in the NFL overall. "The protection game, I think we could be better. That's what this offseason, a lot of it, has been about from a protection standpoint. The communication, the simplification of everything, and also relying on our instincts more and helping out everybody as much as we can."

Linsley, 31, was just getting warmed up on his unflinching analysis of the Chargers’ ground game and the offensive line's role in its lack of production this past season.

"I feel like we’re making a lot of improvement even right now," he said. "But the run game, we’ll take accountability for that. I’m sure you could pick apart a bunch of different reasons, but ultimately, up front, that's something we take pride in. We want to run the ball (well). Every O-line in the NFL wants to run the ball (well). For us to fall significantly below our standard, I think that's in the back of our minds. So, that’ll be a key point for us all throughout camp and continue on into the season."

Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who took over for Joe Lombardi after their wild-card playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last January, hasn't implemented many new wrinkles to the running or passing games during OTAs or with a two-day minicamp set for next week.

Clearly, what the Chargers lacked in their ground game under Lombardi last season must be addressed starting during minicamp and when training camp begins in late July. So far, some of the terms have changed, but the specifics haven't been drilled into the heads of the Chargers’ offensive line.

"Everybody's running game is different," Linsley said. "We’ve got to learn this one. I feel like we’re doing a pretty good job of it. Any issues that we have had we’ve been able to work through them. But, as of right now, we’ve got to just do our job. We’ve got to be a lot better than we were last year."

Developing a reliable, efficient running back beyond the versatile Austin Ekeler would seem to be an imperative going into the 2023 season. Ekeler's value to the Chargers is unquestioned. In addition to being their leading rusher last season, he led the league in touchdowns scored with 18, including 13 rushing.

Ekeler, 28, ran for a career-high 915 yards last season, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. The rest of the Chargers’ running backs corps combined to gain a grand total of 609 yards, with Joshua Kelley finishing second behind Ekeler with 287 yards rushing for an average of 4.2 yards per carry. Kelley also scored the only other two TDs the Chargers backs scored.

Meanwhile, the Chargers added a $1.75 million contract sweetener to the final year of his deal to ensure he wouldn't hold out of training camp while demanding a trade to another team or a contract extension. He is expected to attend minicamp next week and to speak to beat reporters Wednesday.

"I can't say enough about ‘Ek,’ man," Linsley said. "He works his butt off. He does an excellent job on the field. He's a great leader. Obviously, I’m very happy to have him back. I’m happy that he got a little extra cash in incentives and stuff. For us, ‘Ek’ is one of the mainstays, man. He leads by example and does a great job in the running back room. Very happy to have him."

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