Donnie Edwards was the runaway winner to be the LB1 on the Chargers Quarter Century Team. With him out of the running, the remaining two linebackers vying for a spot next to him are Denzel Perryman and Stephen Cooper.
Both Perryman and Cooper have been steady contributors for the Chargers during their respective careers, but neither ever found their way to much success in the way of postseason accolades. Still, they’ve been some of the longest-tenured players at the position this century for the Bolts.
Who will end up making the team in the end? Let’s go ahead and find out!
Denzel Perryman (2015-2020, 2024-present)
Perryman was drafted by the Chargers in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. In seven years across two different stints with the Bolts, Perryman has amassed 404 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He has started 62 games for the Chargers while playing in 80 total.
Stephen Cooper (2003-2011)
Cooper went from undrafted free agent to one of the most productive inside linebackers the Chargers have ever had. Despite not earning a starting job through his first four professional seasons, Cooper was a steady backup who still notched eight starts while playing in every game over that span. In 2007, Cooper earned his first full-time gig, starting all 16 games and recording a career-high 107 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
During his nine years with the Chargers, Cooper accumulated 503 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, eight interceptions, 31 pass breakups, eight forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
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