2006-present
The Chargers delivered an impressive performance in 2006, losing only to the Ravens and Chiefs and finishing 14–2, which secured them the #1 AFC seed in the playoffs. However, they lost 24-21 to New England in the divisional round. In 2007 they went 11-5, beating Tennessee and the defending champion Indianapolis to reach the AFC title game. However, they fell to New England for the second year in a row. 2008 saw the Chargers drop to 8–8, but as the AFC West was unusually weak that year, they still managed to win the division title. Defeating the Colts in the wild card round, they lost to Pittsburgh in the divisional.
San Diego began the 2009 season 2–3. After losing to the Broncos on Monday night, they began an unbroken winning streak for the rest of the season, which included defeating the entire NFC East. In Week 11, they avenged their earlier loss against Denver by inflicting a 32–3 rout on them. The next game saw them beat a 1–11 Cleveland Browns squad 30-23, in which Ladainian Tomlinson broke Hall of Famer Jim Brown's rushing record and was congratulated by him afterwards. The Chargers secured another division title, the #2 AFC seed, and looked to be a near shoo-in for the Super Bowl. However, the team's postseason futility continued. Hosting the New York Jets on January 17, 2010, they endured an upset defeat, where, despite an early lead, were unable to overcome the strong New York defense. Kicker Nate Kaeding also missed three field goal and PAT attempts, which resulted in the Chargers losing 17–14.
Due to his age, Ladainian Tomlinson was released in March 2010 and almost as quickly found a new home with the Jets. On the season opener, the Chargers lost in Kansas City 21–14 for the first time in four years. Their home opener in Week 2 was an easy rout of the Jaguars, but they failed to sell enough tickets and consequently suffered a blackout for the first time since 2004. They followed this with a trip to Seattle in which they lost 27–20. Returning home for Week 4, the Chargers inflicted a 41–10 rout on Arizona, but the game was blacked out again. The following week, they lost to the Raiders for the first time in seven years. The Chargers finished the season at 9–7 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005. After missing the playoffs for the third straight season in 2012, the Chargers fired general manager A. J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner.
Tom Telesco, former Vice President of Football Operations with the Indianapolis Colts, was hired as the new general manager, while Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy became the new head coach.
Read more about this topic: History Of The San Diego Chargers