What Is 1987 San Diego Chargers football

Overview

The 1987 San Diego Chargers season was marked by transition, labor unrest, and a dramatic shift in leadership. Amid a league-wide players' strike, the team navigated a shortened 15-game schedule and significant roster changes, including the mid-season retirement of legendary quarterback Dan Fouts.

Despite a strong offensive tradition under head coach Don Coryell’s 'Air Coryell' system, the Chargers struggled with consistency. They finished with an 8-7 record, narrowly missing the playoffs in a competitive AFC West division.

• Dan Fouts retired after Week 10, ending a 15-year career with 2,881 passing yards and 15 touchdowns that season.
• Mid-season strike in Week 4 caused a three-week hiatus, with replacement players filling rosters for Weeks 6–8.
• The Chargers used three different starting quarterbacks in 1987: Fouts, Mike Kelley, and Mark Herrmann.
• They played home games at Jack Murphy Stadium, which seated over 50,000 fans in San Diego.
• Under interim coach Lionel Hollins, the team won 4 of its final 5 games after Coryell’s resignation due to health issues.

How It Works

The 1987 Chargers season operated under unique circumstances due to the NFL players' strike and major personnel changes. Understanding how the team adapted requires examining key roles, rules, and transitions during that year.

• Strike Replacement Games: During Weeks 6–8, the NFL used non-union and practice squad players, resulting in lower-quality matchups and unpredictable outcomes.
• Quarterback Transition: After Dan Fouts retired, Mike Kelley started five games, throwing for 753 yards and four touchdowns with five interceptions.
• Don Coryell's Resignation: Longtime head coach Don Coryell stepped down in October 1987 due to chronic health problems, ending his six-year Chargers tenure.
• Offensive Scheme: The team continued using the Air Coryell offense, emphasizing vertical passing and tight end usage, though execution declined late in the season.
• Defensive Performance: The Chargers defense allowed an average of 22.1 points per game, ranking 18th in the league despite solid play from linebacker Woodrow Lowe.
• Playoff Implications: Finishing second in the AFC West with an 8-7 record, they missed the postseason despite a strong finish, as only division winners and two wild cards advanced.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1987 Chargers season can be better understood by comparing key statistics to the previous and following years.

This table highlights the Chargers’ fluctuating performance across five seasons. While 1987 showed improvement over 1986 with an 8-7 record, offensive production declined after Fouts’ retirement. The transition to interim coach Lionel Hollins marked the end of the Air Coryell era, setting the stage for a rebuilding phase in the late 1980s.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season represents a pivotal turning point in Chargers history, symbolizing the end of a high-powered offensive era and the challenges of managing labor disputes in professional sports.

• The retirement of Dan Fouts, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, marked the close of a defining chapter in Chargers history.
• The 1987 NFL strike was the first to use replacement players, setting precedents for future labor negotiations across leagues.
• Don Coryell’s resignation ended one of the most innovative coaching tenures in NFL history, influencing modern passing offenses.
• The Chargers’ inability to make the playoffs despite a winning record underscored the competitiveness of the AFC West.
• Jack Murphy Stadium remained the team’s home through 1997, hosting many memorable moments beyond the 1987 season.
• This season illustrated how external factors like strikes and injuries can significantly impact team performance and legacy.

Ultimately, the 1987 San Diego Chargers serve as a case study in resilience, transition, and the evolving nature of professional football during a turbulent era.