The consensus at this point last year was that the Chargers didn’t surround quarterback Justin Herbert with enough playmakers to have an especially productive offense. It turned out to be true, but the Chargers still managed to win 11 games and advance to the AFC playoffs.
In their second seasons with the Chargers, General Manager Joe Hortiz and Coach Jim Harbaugh have a deeper and more talented roster to accompany Herbert for his sixth season. Hortiz added depth at every position, and it will be tested immediately, especially on the offensive line.
Left tackle Rashawn Slater’s season-ending knee injury produced a domino effect that weakened the line. Slater was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in four seasons and his absence shifted Joe Alt to left tackle from right tackle and Trey Pipkins III moved into Alt’s spot at right tackle.
Slater’s injury, coming days after he signed a four-year, $114-million contract extension, when coupled with running back Najee Harris’ absence from training camp practices because of an eye injury, raised more than a few serious questions about the potential of the Chargers’ offense despite the many offseason upgrades.
Here’s a closer look at the offense heading into the 2025 season:
Quarterbacks: Justin Herbert, Trey Lance
Last year, Herbert was coming off a foot injury that sidelined him for several weeks of camp. He then sprained his ankle during Week 2 and it took time for him to be sound again, which was one reason why he didn’t top 200 yards passing in a game until a Week 6 victory over the Denver Broncos.
By season’s end, he threw for 3,870 yards and 23 touchdowns, well off his career bests of 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns set during the 2021 season. He threw a career-low three interceptions last season, continuing a downward trend after he threw a career-high 15 interceptions in ‘21.
Then there was the AFC wild-card game against the Houston Texans, when everything seemed to go haywire all at once for Herbert. He threw a career-high four interceptions in the Chargers’ deflating 32-12 loss, a game that underscored his lack of reliable targets beyond Ladd McConkey.
Trey Lance won a camp battle to earn the backup’s job, another upgrade from last season’s backup, Taylor Heinicke, who was an upgrade over the 2023 No. 2, Easton Stick. Lance proved to be a capable playmaker with his arm and his legs during camp and in four exhibition games.
Running backs: Najee Harris, Omarion Hampton, Hassan Haskins, Scott Matlock
Harris was sidelined for all of training camp by what his agent termed a “superficial” eye injury during a fireworks accident July 4. The Chargers declined several opportunities to address the severity of the injury during camp, except to say he was making progress and could be ready to play in Week 1.
The Chargers signed Harris because of his durability and the fact that he topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They also drafted Hampton in order to improve their ground game. They haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Melvin Gordon in 2017.
Wide receivers: Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Keenan Allen, Derius Davis, Tre’ Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Hortiz added experience when he signed Allen after trading him last year to the Chicago Bears in a cost-saving move. Allen returned after Mike Williams decided to retire on the eve of camp. Hortiz also drafted Harris and Lambert-Smith to add depth to a youthful wide receiver group.
McConkey broke Allen’s franchise rookie records for receptions with 82 and receiving yardage with 1,149 despite the fact that opposing defenses knew full well that Herbert was looking in his direction more often than not. Johnston improved his playmaking after a shaky rookie season.
Tight ends: Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Oronde Gadsden, Tucker Fisk
The Chargers were desperate for better blocking and playmaking from their tight ends, so Hortiz signed Conklin as a free agent and drafted Gadsden, a converted wide receiver. Dissly and Fisk were retained after Hayden Hurst and Stone Smartt were jettisoned during the offseason.
Offensive line: Joe Alt, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton, Trey Pipkins III, Jamaree Salyer, Andre James, Austin Deculus
Just when it seemed the Chargers had solved their issues on the offensive line, which were exposed beyond a shadow of a doubt during their playoff loss to the Texans, Slater went down with a torn patellar tendon. Alt played left tackle at Notre Dame and he’ll be tasked with replacing Slater.
It won’t be easy.
Nor will it be simple to fill Alt’s spot at right tackle. Pipkins, who played right guard last season, will shift to tackle to replace Alt. Becton signed with the Chargers after a breakthrough season with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and will take Pipkins’ spot at right guard.
Bradley Bozeman withstood a camp challenge from left guard Zion Johnson and retained his starting position at center. Harbaugh didn’t settle on a final five starters until the closing days of training camp, but it seemed the job was Bozeman’s to lose all along with Johnson serving as a possible backup center.
Specialists: Cameron Dicker (kicker), JK Scott (punter/holder), Rick Lovato (long snapper)
It was expected to be status quo among the specialists. But long snapper Josh Harris suffered an unspecified injury during the Chargers’ exhibition finale against the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 23, and Lovato, who spent the past nine seasons with the Eagles, was signed to replace him.
