| 1996 San Diego Chargers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Alex Spanos |
| General manager | Bobby Beathard |
| Head coach | Bobby Ross |
| Home field | Jack Murphy Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–8 |
| Division place | 3rd AFC West |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | 2[1]
|
| AP All-Pros | 2[2]
|
The 1996 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 37th, its 27th in the National Football League (NFL), and its 34th in San Diego.
The season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record in 1995. The Chargers fell back by one game and missed the playoffs by that margin. It was Bobby Ross's final season as the team's head coach, as he left due to "philosophical differences" with general manager Bobby Beathard.[3] He had posted a 47–33 record over five seasons, going 3–3 in the playoffs.
Natrone Means had been let go following his injury the previous season. In his place, San Diego tried a running-back-by-committee approach featuring Leonard Russell, Aaron Hayden and Terrell Fletcher. This yielded 186 rushing yards in week one, but only four further 100-yard games throughout the season. Hayden was seldom used as the year went on — Russell managed 713 yards and 7 touchdowns, but the Chargers' average of 3.2 yards per rush was the league's worst. Changes on the offensive line may have contributed: veteran tackle Stan Brock retired during the offseason, and center Courtney Hall suffered a career-ending injury mid-season.
Tony Martin continued to be the star receiver, catching 85 passes for 1171 yards. He managed 14 touchdowns, joint-most in the NFL, and tying Lance Alworth's club record. Ronnie Harmon was replaced as a pass-catching back by Terrell Fletcher, who caught only two fewer passes (61), but for 197 fewer yards (476). Stan Humphries was again the starting quarterback, but continued to sustain frequent injuries and missed three games.
With six time Pro Bowl defensive end Leslie O'Neal having left after a decade with the club, Junior Seau stepped up to be the club leader in both sacks and tackles (7.0 and 138 respectively). He also contributed two interceptions, forced one fumble and recovered three. Rodney Harrison continued to improve, leading the team with five interceptions and coming second to Seau with 125 tackles. Darren Bennett averaged 45.6 yards per punt, third best in the league.
For the second consecutive year, the Chargers suffered an offseason tragedy. Running back Rodney Culver was among the 110 victims of ValuJet Flight 592.[4]