The 2016 season was the San Diego Chargers' 47th in the National Football League (NFL), their 57th overall, their 56th and final season in San Diego, California and their fourth and final season under head coach Mike McCoy.
Due to the age of Qualcomm Stadium, there was speculation that the team would be relocating back to Los Angeles, where the franchise played its first season in 1960. This followed a decision by the NFL to allow the St. Louis Rams to return to the Greater Los Angeles Area with a provision that the Chargers may relocate to Los Angeles as well. On January 4, 2016, the team filed a relocation application to the NFL along with the Rams and the Oakland Raiders releasing a statement and a video on the team's website. The league made its decision in a special meeting on January 12; it approved the Chargers' relocation if they chose to share SoFi Stadium with the Rams (the Raiders-Chargers proposal did not receive enough support from the league as a whole to proceed, prompting the Raiders to back out). On January 29, 2016, the Chargers announced they would remain in San Diego for the 2016 season as negotiations with the city continued; the team also reached an agreement in principle to use the Rams' Los Angeles stadium should negotiations with the city of San Diego fail.[1]On November 8, 2016, Measure C was voted down by voters 57% to 43%; and on January 12, 2017, the Chargers officially announced a move to Los Angeles, making 2016 their final season in San Diego.
This would also be the first time in nine seasons that Pro Bowler free safety Eric Weddle was not on the team, having departed via free agency to the Baltimore Ravens. Weddle had spent his entire career with the Chargers, starting with the 2007 NFL season.
This was also the first time the Chargers suffered from consecutive losing seasons since 2000—2001.
On January 1, 2017, the Chargers fired McCoy after four seasons.[2]
Notes
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Leading 21–3 at halftime, the Chargers blew their lead, scoring only six more points by field goals. Kansas City rallied with 24 unanswered points, forcing overtime, where the Chiefs won the season's opening game.
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Already without Keenan Allen for the entire season, running back Danny Woodhead suffered a torn ACL, putting him out for the season. Nevertheless, the Chargers would go on to burn the Jaguars, winning 38–14 and with that, they went to 1–1.
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
With a stunning loss on a 63-yard Colts touchdown pass to T.Y. Hilton with 1:17 to play, the Chargers' record fell to 1–2.
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Ahead 34–21, the Chargers gave up two Drew Brees touchdown passes in the final five minutes and fell to 1–3.
at Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Oakland, California
With their third straight loss to the Raiders, the Chargers fell to 1–4.
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
The Chargers wore Color Rush uniforms with shades of blue and yellow San Diego used from 1974 until 1984.
The team snapped a 3-game losing streak against the Broncos and improved to 2–4.
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta
The Chargers came into this game with a 1–8 all-time record against Atlanta, and this marked San Diego's first visit to Atlanta since 2004. The Falcons had built a 27–10 lead by the two-minute warning at the end of the first half, but the Chargers pulled them back and leveled the score at 30–30 with a 33-yard Josh Lambo field goal with 18 seconds left in regulation. Lambo then hit a 42-yard attempt in overtime to seal the win for the Chargers as they improved to 3–4.
at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
This turned out to be the Chargers last win in San Diego. They lost their last 4 games at Qualcomm Stadium.
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Philip Rivers would throw four fourth quarter interceptions in this game, including a crucial pick-6 with a minute remaining that was returned by Kiko Alonso.
With the loss, the Chargers went into their bye week at 4–6.
at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
This would end up being the last win for the Chargers in franchise history while in San Diego.
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
With the loss, the Chargers were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for the 3rd straight year, and 7th time in 8 years.
at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
The loss dropped the Chargers to 5–10, and they became the only team to lose to the Cleveland Browns in 2016.
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
With their sixth straight loss to the Chiefs, the Chargers finished the season 5–11. This would be the final game played as the San Diego Chargers before relocating to Los Angeles following the season.