2013 San Diego Chargers season
The 2013 season was the San Diego Chargers' 44th in the National Football League, their 54th overall and their first under head coach Mike McCoy. The Chargers finished the regular season with a record of 9–7, improving on their 7–9 record from 2012. Also, they qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The Chargers defeated the [2013 2013 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals] in the Wild Card round by a score of 27–10, but lost to division rival Denver Broncos in the Divisional round by a score of 24–17. This was the Chargers' final playoff appearance in San Diego. They did not play in the postseason again until 2018, after relocating to Los Angeles.
The new head coach, Mike McCoy, along with offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, completed the Chargers' first winning season since 2010. Only two offensive coaches returned from 2012 in an overhauled coaching staff, and a revamped offensive system had quarterback Philip Rivers release the ball earlier and taking what opposing defenses conceded. Rivers was sacked 30 times, compared to 49 the previous year, and threw for 4,479 yards and 32 touchdowns while tying a career-high with a 105.5 passer rating. San Diego's rushing attack improved from the prior season's 1,461 yards and 3.6 yards per carry—tied for the second worst in the league—to 1,965 yards and a 4-yard average. Although they were speculated to have a poor, disappointing season, and getting off to a shaky start, the Chargers finished in the top eight of the overall standings. Rivers was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and Keenan Allen broke out into the national scene as a rookie sensation, breaking multiple wide receiver rookie records. Whisenhunt left at the conclusion of the season to become the head coach of the Titans.
Signings
| Pos. | Player | 2012 Team | Contract |
| CB | Derek Cox | Jacksonville Jaguars | 4 years, $20 million |
| DE | Dwight Freeney | Indianapolis Colts | 2 years, $8.7 million |
| TE | John Phillips | Dallas Cowboys | 3 years, $5.2 million |
| OT | King Dunlap | Philadelphia Eagles | 2 years, $3.7 million |
| RB | Danny Woodhead | New England Patriots | 2 years, $3.5 million |
| CB | Richard Marshall | Miami Dolphins | 1 year, $855,000 |
| RB | Chris Gronkowski | Denver Broncos | 1 year, $630,000 |
| LB | Thomas Keiser | Carolina Panthers | 1 year, $555,000 |
Departures
Postseason
| Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| Wild Card | January 5, 2014 | at Cincinnati Bengals | W 27–10 | 1–0 | Paul Brown Stadium | |
| Divisional | January 12, 2014 | at Denver Broncos | L 17–24 | 1–1 | Sports Authority Field at Mile High |