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The former star of the Los Angeles Chargers, Shawne Merriman, took into account the detractors after the team hit the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, 20-9, to move to 2-0 in the season.
Merriman told Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview that the general performance of the team showed that they are true contestants for the conference title.
“If someone did not believe that they were going to be a contender, not only in the west of the AFC, but in the AFC in general, you have not been paying attention,” he said. “First, Jim Harbaugh won in each program, an organization in which he has been in recent years. Two, this is Justin Herbert’s first year having a stable situation in which he has had the same chief coach, the same offensive coordinator, you know, the same, the same. He has not had that since he has been playing with the chargers. Every year, he has had to learn something new.”
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The Los Angeles Loaders Marshal, Justin Herbert (10), delivers the ball to the Los Angeles Chargers corridor, Najee Harris (22) at the Allegiant Stadium on September 15, 2025. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn images)
The first Seasons Herbert, which had 242 aerial yards and two TouchDowns pass against the Raiders, had the same offensive coordinator was in 2021 and 2022 with Joe Lombardi, while Brandon Staley was the chief coach. With Harbaugh as a chief coach, he has kept Greg Roman as an offensive coordinator since last season until this season.
Merriman also promoted how the entire team has been built and that they no longer have to trust Herbert trying to make all the plays to win a game.
“Now, you have a team that no longer trusts Justin Herbert to win more,” he said. “If you play well, great. If you do not, you can still win. The fact that you have quartback with the biggest arm in the National Soccer League that can win games for you is an advantage. But this team is physical on both sides of football … This is a big, strong and physical team, that is your DNA.”
Kansas City bosses have been the harvest cream at the AFC West for the last nine years. But when entering week 3, there are 0-2 to start the year.
The open receiver of the Los Angeles Chargers, Quentin Johnston (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Vegas Raiders during the first half of a NFL football match, on Monday, September 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Photo AP/David Becker)
The member of the Hall of Fame Dan Marino supports the bosses who fight after starting the 0-2 season: ‘They will be fine’
Merriman said that Chiefs can no longer trust Patrick Mahomes to do everything for them and will have to address the holes in their team and their older stars.
“This is not a blow to Chiefs at all, but you can only trust Patrick Mahomes for so long. We have seen it with some of the best quartbacks in the business,” he told Pak Gazette Digital. “How long have we seen it with Aaron Rodgers? They did not give him an open receiver No. 1. They did not give people around him. They simply say: ‘Hey, you are Aaron Rodgers. You can win many football games for us. You don’t need any help.’ And that takes you so far because you can win many games with large quarterbacks.
“Travis Kelce May Go Down As The Greatest Or Top Three Greatest Tight End Of All Time, But He’s Just Like The Rest of Us. He’s getting Older. HE CAN’T DO WHAT HE USED TO DO FIVE YEAR Now.
The security of the Los Angeles Chargers, Tony Jefferson (23) celebrates after making an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of a NFL football match, on Monday, September 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Photo AP/David Becker)
The chargers will have their first game on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
