2006 San Diego Chargers season
| 2006 San Diego Chargers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Marty Schottenheimer |
| General manager | A. J. Smith |
| Owner | Alex Spanos |
| Home field | Qualcomm Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 14–2 |
| Division place | 1st AFC West |
| Playoff finish | Lost Divisional Playoffs (Patriots) 24–21 |
The 2006 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record in 2005. They finished the campaign as the No. 1 seed in the AFC ending the season at 14–2, best record in the NFL. The team would experience a home field playoff loss for the second time in the past three seasons losing in the final minutes to the New England Patriots 24–21.
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson led the league in rushing with 1,815 yards, as well as setting NFL single-season records for rushing touchdowns (28) and total touchdowns (31).
The Chargers did not re-sign All–Pro quarterback Drew Brees to a contract, Brees had suffered a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder in the final game of the season, and turned instead to 2004 1st round selection Philip Rivers. Brees would later sign a contract with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent and make a complete recovery.
Chargers ownership announced in January that the team would no longer attempt to place a proposal for a new stadium on the November ballot as they were not able to locate private partners to facilitate financing of the project. The team had begun talks with city officials in 2002 stating that Qualcomm Stadium was inadequate to meet the financial needs of the franchise, and that they needed the city's help in building a new stadium to remain competitive. San Diego is no longer in the Super Bowl rotation due to the NFL objections concerning the stadium. As of December 2006, two cities in San Diego County are discussing a stadium for the Chargers: the City of Chula Vista and the City of National City.
In the NFL Draft, the Chargers used their first pick on Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie. They used their second pick on Auburn offensive tackle Marcus McNeill. The remainder of their draft picks were Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst,Iowa State linebacker Tim Dobbins,Kansas State offensive tackle Jeromey Clary,Virginia kicker Kurt Smith,North Carolina defensive end Chase Page, and Virginia Tech offensive tackle Jimmy Martin.
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