Bolts back in the building

Chargers.com

The Bolts are back in the building.

Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley met with reporters Monday as the team began its voluntary offseason program in Costa Mesa.

Here are five takeaways from Staley’s press conference:

1. Day 1 of the offseason program

Brandon Staley must have checked his calendar before stepping to the podium Monday.

“It’s been 93 days since our last ball game, so we’re ready to get started,” the Chargers Head Coach said from Hoag Performance Center on the first day of the team’s voluntary offseason program. “It’s good to see everybody here.

“There’s a different energy when players get back. We’re excited to start doing football,” Staley added.

And even though the 2023 regular season is still roughly five months away, Staley noted the importance of getting players back in the building to begin construction on this year’s version of the Chargers.

“I think you start brand new each and every season. I don’t think that you ever take anything for granted. I think you truly have to build a team each and every year,” Staley said. “I think where that starting point is can be a little bit different, depending on how many people you bring back, but there’s just so much transition in the NFL –whether it’s with players or coaches or staff – you have to reset your team every single year and build it.”

Staley, who is entering his third season as head coach, also noted how much he enjoys this time of the calendar year.`

“I think you have a lot better understanding of the calendar, of the rhythm, that you’re trying to create, the teaching progression of everything and truly how to build a football team, and how long of a season it really is, starting from the spring season all the way to your final game,” Staley said.

“You have a much better understanding of how to do that, the more you do this.

“As a coach, this is a really special time, that teaching time of the springtime, and being able to build your football team,” Staley added.

“Certainly, the draft is coming up next week and you get a bunch of new guys there too, but this is a really great time for coaches.”

Head Coach Staley on Players Returning for Workouts

2. A strong showing

A friendly reminder that this part of the offseason program is voluntary.

In fact, all of it is voluntary except for a mandatory minicamp that will take place over two days in June.

Still, Staley said he was proud of the strong contingent of players who showed up to get some work in Monday morning.

“I’m just proud of our players, proud of the culture that we have on our football team and the leadership of our football team,” Staley said. “Today’s Day 1 of it, but we have a team that I’m really excited to coach.”

And he also understands the voluntary part of the process, too.

“It’s certainly optional, that’s the way that the collective bargaining agreement is right now,” Staley said. “We’re really appreciative of the guys who are here.