text: Beathard retired in April 2000 and was replaced in January 2001 by John Butler, former general manager of the Bills. From  to , the Chargers had eight consecutive seasons where they finished with just as many, if not more losses than wins.
  In 2001, Riley chose Norv Turner, a former head coach of the Redskins, as his offensive coordinator. Turner proposed an offense method which he had employed at the Dallas Cowboys. The Chargers signed former Buffalo Bills quarterback Doug Flutie and also traded the team's first overall selection in the 2001 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons in return for the first-round selection (fifth overall) and third-round selection in the same draft. In addition the Chargers obtained the wide receiver-kick returner, Tim Dwight, and the Falcons' second-round draft selection in the 2002 NFL Draft. The Chargers used those selections in the 2001 draft to select Texas Christian University running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Purdue University quarterback Drew Brees.
  2002–2005: Marty Schottenheimer era
  For the 2002 season, Marty Schottenheimer replaced Riley. Under Schottenheimer, the Chargers won their first four games.
  Butler would succumb to cancer after a nine-month struggle in April 2003, and was replaced by A. J. Smith, who was named Executive Vice President and General Manager.