The Chargers’ disastrous season comes to an end in a 13-12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after Easton Stick can’t mount a last-gasp comeback in the final minute.
Chargers lose to Chiefs in season finale, will have No. 5 pick in NFL draft
A season of too many close losses ended appropriately Sunday for the Chargers — with a 13-12 defeat to Kansas City at SoFi Stadium.
Harrison Butker’s 41-yard field goal with 49 seconds to play was the difference.
All the Chargers’ points came on field goals by Cameron Dicker.
The loss was the fifth in a row and eighth in nine games for the 5-12 Chargers, who finished last in the AFC West.
The results Sunday left the Chargers with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Over the past 19 years, the only time this franchise selected higher was in 2016 when the Chargers took Joey Bosa at No. 3.
As for what’s immediately next, the Chargers will conduct exit interviews beginning Monday morning at their Costa Mesa training facility.
Quarterback Justin Herbert is scheduled to speak to the media for the first time since undergoing season-ending surgery on his broken right index finger in mid-December.
Corey Linsley also is expected to speak. The veteran center has not publicly addressed his situation or his future since he was sidelined because of a heart issue after Week 3.
With the season concluded, the searches for a head coach and general manager become the Chargers’ main focus. The team is looking to replace Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco, who were fired Dec. 15.
In recent weeks, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh clearly has emerged as the leading candidate for NFL teams searching for a new coach. If the Wolverines win the national championship Monday night, he could exit his alma mater on top.
Chiefs 13, Chargers 12 — FINAL
Harrison Butker kicked a 41-yard field goal with 49 seconds left in regulation to lift the Chiefs to a comeback victory over the Chargers.
The Chargers got the ball back for one final possession, but struggled to move the ball. Easton Stick tried to find rookie Quentin Johnston on fourth down, but the pass was too high, securing the win for Kansas City.
