(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers made some expected changes these past couple of months, parting ways with former general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Brandon Staley.
Los Angeles’ decisions came on the heels of another lost season where they failed to qualify for the postseason.
With Telesco and Staley gone, team owner Dean Spanos found their replacements in Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh, respectively.
The two new faces of the regime went to work in the offseason, collecting talent to help jumpstart their rebuild around Justin Herbert.
Los Angeles faces an uphill climb to get back to competing in the AFC, though they have several pieces worth keeping around for the long haul.
Unfortunately, the Chargers announced the passing of former general manager A.J. Smith who was instrumental in some of their best years and teams via the team’s official Twitter account.
“our hearts are with the Smith family,” the Chargers tweeted.
our hearts are with the Smith family pic.twitter.com/HjmXJY4JPb
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) May 12, 2024
Spanos wrote a touching tribute to his former general manager, noting how much he meant to the organization and what he did to elevate them during his tenure.
Smith served as Los Angeles’ general manager from 2003-2012, with his most famous move being the blockbuster that sent Eli Manning to the New York Giants in exchange for Philip Rivers and a bevy of draft picks.
The former Chargers general manager was a controversial figure because of his negotiating style and tendency to hand out high-risk, high-reward contracts to players.
After his stint with L.A., Smith went on to serve as a senior executive/consultant for the Washington Commanders.
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