LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
2024 Record - 11-6-0
Head Coach - Jim Harbaugh
2024 Offensive Rank - (20th overall) - 324 YPG; Passing - 213 YPG (19th), Rushing - 111 YPG (17th); SCORING - 23.6 PPG (11th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (11th overall) - 324 YPG; Passing - 207 YPG (7th), Rushing - 117 YPG (14th); SCORING - 17.7 PPG (1st)
Key Additions for 2025 - Najee Harris (RB), Keenan Allen (WR), Donte Jackson (DB), Benjamin St-Juste (DB), Mekhi Becton (OL), Andre James (OL), Tyler Conklin (TE)
Key Losses for 2025 - Rashawn Slater (injury-OL), Poona Ford (DL), Joey Bosa (LB), Kristian Fulton (DB), Josh Palmer (WR), J.K. Dobbins (RB), Gus Edwards (RB), Hayden Hurst (TE), Morgan Fox (DL), Asante Samuel, Jr. (DB)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Justin Herbert is entering his sixth season and last year he had 23 touchdown passes and just three interceptions along with 3,870 passing yards. He also rushed for 306 yards (4.4 YPC) and scored two touchdowns. The running game gets two new players this season as rookie Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) and Najee Harris (1,043 rushing yards, 4.0 YPC, six TD with the Pittsburgh Steelers) will be the primary backs after J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards left in free agency. The wide receivers are Ladd McConkey, who had a big rookie season with 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns, along with Keenan Allen, who returns to the Chargers after one season with the Chicago Bears. Allen had 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Quentin Johnston had 55 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. Rookies Tre Harris (Mississippi) and Keandre Lambert-Smith (Auburn) will be in the mix as well. The tight ends are Will Dissly (50, 481, two TD) and Tyler Conklin, who had 51 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns with the N.Y. Jets last year.
DEFENSE - The Chargers will feature Teair Tart (nose tackle), Da'Shawn Hand and Otito Ogbonnia up front while 12-year veteran Khalil Mack (six QB sacks), Tuli Tuipolotu (8 1/2 sacks), Daiyan Henley (team high 142 tackles), Bud Dupree (six sacks) and Denzel Perryman are the linebackers. Safety Derwin James (93 tackles), along with corners Tarheeb Still (four interceptions), Cam Hart, Elijah Molden (three picks and 72 tackles) and Donte Jackson (five interceptions with the Pittsburgh Steelers) lead the secondary. Safeties Alohi Gilman, Tony Jefferson II and rookie R.J. Mickens (Clemson) and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (free agent signee from Washington) add depth. The Chargers had 46 sacks and 15 interceptions last year while being a plus-12 in turnovers.
OUTLOOK - The Chargers surprised some folks by making the playoffs in the first year for Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, who has a history of turning teams around at both the pro and collegiate levels. Harbaugh loves to run the football and has two new running backs in tow this season. Unfortunately, the Bolts offensive line took a big hit when left tackle Rashawn Slater was lost for the season with a knee injury in training camp. However, with quarterback Justin Herbert running the show, the offense should be solid yet again.
Defensively, the Chargers led the NFL in scoring defense in 2024, allowing 17.7 points per game while ranking in the top ten against the pass and in forcing turnovers. They can pressure opposing quarterbacks and Derwin James leads a hard hitting secondary. Opponents still ran effectively against the Chargers last season, so that is an area that needs to improve. As long as Herbert protects the ball (he was intercepted four times in the playoff loss to Houston after throwing just three picks during the regular season) and the running game keeps improving, it should be another playoff appearance for this team.
Whether or not the Chargers can dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs as AFC West champions remains to be seen, but getting back to the playoffs is the priority. The first three games this season will be huge as they are against all three AFC West foes. Barring injuries to key players, the talent is there for a solid season and perhaps the Chargers can finally get a playoff win in the Justin Herbert era. Stay tuned.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Kansas City (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Week Two - at Las Vegas
Week Three - vs. Denver
Week Four - at N.Y. Giants
Week Five - vs. Washington
Week Six - at Miami
Week Seven - vs. Indianapolis
Week Eight - vs. Minnesota
Week Nine - at Tennessee
Week Ten - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Eleven - at Jacksonville
Week Twelve - BYE
Week Thirteen - vs. Las Vegas
Week Fourteen - vs. Philadelphia
Week Fifteen - at Kansas City
Week Sixteen - at Dallas
Week Seventeen - vs. Houston
Week Eighteen - at Denver
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