Los Angeles Chargers Climbing That Hill So Their Woeful Defense Keeps Pace With Their Explosive Offense

The Los Angeles Chargers reached deep into their pockets to solidify their defense. Now it’s coach Renaldo Hill’s mission to create the impossible: have his side of the ball be as explosive as L.A.’s offense, which is led by standout quarterback Justin Herbert.

Hill, the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, is busy at training camp making pieces fit and finding out where they don’t. His job is a bit complicated with All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr. continuing to sit out as he awaits an enhanced contract.

“Hopefully, that gets taken care of soon,’’ Hill said. “But in the meantime, I know there are other guys out here working hard, and it’s allowing them to reps.’’

The Chargers seek to improve an area which was among their shortcomings as they failed to reach the playoffs last season. No matter how dynamic Herbert was, L.A. couldn’t get the ball back in a timely fashion because of its shoddy defense.

How bad were the Bolts?

Only the woeful Detroit Lions and New York Jets surrendered more yards than the Chargers (6,122).

How bad were the Bolts?

Again, only the Lions and Jets allowed more points than the Chargers (459).

That led to general manager Tom Telesco’s aggressive behavior in the offseason. He acquired outside linebackers Khalil Mack and Kyle Van Noy, cornerback J.C. Jackson and defensive linemen Austin Jackson and Morgan Fox.

There were others, but it’s that fab five which Hill is being entrusted to mold into a unit which snaps the Chargers’ run of not making the playoffs and giving Herbert a career won-loss record over .500.

They also drafted four defensive players, with Baylor safety JT Woods being their second pick.

“Definitely happy with the progress,’’ said Hill, whose in his second year directing the Chargers’ defense. “Just having those new guys in here, getting acclimated to them, letting them get acclimated to us and our system, I think it’s been going really well.’’

Mack was the biggest name added as he became a Charger via a trade. He’ll count $8.7 million this year against the cap and a whopping $27 million in each of the final two years of his six-year, $141 million contract.

But if Mack can stay fit, his teaming with Joey Bosa, another Pro Bowler, gives the Chargers a 1-2, pass-rushing punch that few teams can eclipse.

“They’re growing that chemistry together,’’ Hill said. “They’re spending a lot of time with each other. I like how it’s going so far.’’

Jackson came aboard with a rich free-agent contract that pays him $82 million over five years, with $40 million guaranteed. In his four years with the New England Patriots, Jackson collected 25 interceptions.

If Jackson continues his ball-hawking ways and James eventually gets signed, the Chargers could have another 1-2 punch which rivals what Mack-Bosa could bring.

Help up front was critically needed with the Chargers having the worst ranking in the NFL on keeping rivals from converting on third downs. So Johnson was snagged on a two-year, $14 million deal, with $10.6 million guaranteed.

Johnson is coming off a career year in which he started all 17 games and collected 3.5 sacks and 72 tackles for the New York Giants.

Fox signed a one-year deal for $1.1 million, but only $100,000 is guaranteed — a low-level signing the Chargers hope pays off.

The veteran Van Noy landed in L.A. a one-year, $2.2 million deal with $750,000 guaranteed after stops around the NFL that included the New England Patriots.

Van Noy is another run-stuffer, with the Chargers hoping that getting better on the early downs will increase their efficiency on third down.

“He gives us a guy with experience and (he) knows how to win in this league,’’ Hill said. “It’s great for our young guys to have a guy with that experience, and a championship pedigree, like he does.’’

The Chargers will likely be improved on defense because they can’t get much worse. It’s up to Hill to coach-up a unit which aims to no longer take a backseat to L.A.’s offense.