The Los Angeles Chargers First-Half Most Valuable Player Is a Lineman

With eight games in the books, who do you think is the Chargers’ Most Valuable Player?

Grant Baden: Russell Okung. He came in and helped provide stability to the offensive line as a leader and player; it's easily the Chargers’ most improved position group.

Louis Gorini: A lot of people will say Bosa is the MVP of the Chargers but I feel like Melvin Ingram has played equally if not better than Bosa. He has been so disruptive every game and I feel like he has become somewhat a leader for this defense. Also, he is the only player in the league that has 8+ sacks and 7+ tracks (on his latest CD, yo).

Matthew Stanley: It's a hard choice between Joey Bosa and Russel Okung. Okung has come in and been more than solid at LT and been a good influence on the line as a whole. Meanwhile, Bosa is showing NO signs of a sophomore slump. Bosa is not only producing high sack numbers, but you can see his game improving week to week, and you can see his selfless, team-first play with how he attacks OL on stunts. I think at this point I'd have to say Bosa is the MVP of this team, as the defense is what has been keeping this team in games.

Mickey Peterson: My MVP has to go to the Big Bear Joey Bosa. He has been a more complete player in his second year and is the cornerstone this defense will build upon for the future. Melvin Ingram has been the flashier player but Bosa breathes life into this defense like no one else. There's something about seeing such a young player take the reins that has really affected the rest of the defense and their play. It's inspired. He deserves the MVP and more so far.

Jamie Sewell: I'm splitting this between Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram because they play off each other so well that I think it'd be unfair to separate them. They make each other so much better and together have been the most lethal defensive duo in the NFL this season. They've given the Chargers their first real pass rushing threat since I started following football, and they're making this Chargers front a real force.

Garrett Sisti: This is tough, The two guys already mentioned Russell Okung and Joey Bosa have been great but I'm gonna go with Melvin Ingram. Though Bosa & Ingram are tied in sacks with 8.5 each I think a lot of Ingram's plays came in bigger situations and made more of an impact. The biggest coming at the end of the Giants game with the strip sack, fumble, recovery on Eli to help seal the win.

Jamie Hoyle: I think it’s Russell Okung. He’s been the best, most reliable offensive lineman, a leader on and off the field, and a steadying influence from the second he got here. He is arguably the most important lineman in both the run game and the passing game. He has exceeded all expectations and even taken young linemen under his wing. There is no overstating his impact on this team and offense.

Kyle Posey: It's Melvin Ingram. Bosa has been great but like Garrett said, Ingram has ended drives and games. The majority, if not all, of his sacks have come at the biggest moments of the game. Not to mention he's been a consistent terror even if we aren't talking about sacks. He hasn't had a bad game yet and there hasn't been an OL able to block him. Okung has been everything imaginable but the offense is average at best. They can't run the ball for squat and their passing attack is inconsistent. So I wouldn't say he brings much value, despite his great play.

Ruben J. Gonzalez: I also think that Joey Bosa has been so solid and deserves MVP consideration, but my puck so far would have to be Supa Melvin. Last year the Chargers had Bosa producing at very nearly this same level, yet the defense wasn't close to being feared on a weekly basis. Enter this rejuvenated Ingram, ferocious and healthy, and this defense has gone to another level. For that alone, he's my choice at MVP. (Did I mention, he finally got his 3-sack game which cements his status as elite?)

Who do you think is the Chargers MVP through 8 games?