COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said his team will not vote on captains for this season and will instead alternate captains weekly.
“It’s just the way I like it,” Lynn said. “I think certain guys step up each week. Some people evolve as leaders as the year goes on, so I just think it’s best to reward guys and do it week by week.”
The last time the Chargers did not vote for captains to start the season was in 2002, Marty Schottenheimer’s first as head coach. This is the 10th time in team history captains have not been assigned for the full season.
Last season, Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Manti Te'o, Brandon Mebane and Darrell Stuckey served as captains for the Chargers to start. Melvin Ingram was selected as an injury replacement for Te’o during the season, and Corey Liuget was selected as an injury replacement for Mebane.
The Chargers' coaching staff also selected an additional captain each week.
“I think that’s great,” Liuget said of this season's arrangement. “It provides some incentive. Work hard and you get named captain for the coin toss before the game.”
Lynn said he will decide which players serve as captain on game days.
“Normally in the locker room right before the game I’ll name the captains," Lynn said, "and everybody goes crazy and we go out."
