The Los Angeles Chargers have finalized their 53-man roster for the 2025 season, and while many moves went as expected, there were some surprising decisions along the way. Here are the biggest takeaways:
Najee Harris Stays on the Roster
Perhaps the biggest shock is Najee Harris avoiding injured reserve — or cuts altogether. Harris hasn’t ramped up for live reps throughout training camp, yet he claimed a roster spot over backs Kimani Vidal and Rocket Sanders. With Hassan Haskins mostly a special teams contributor, rookie Omarion Hampton will likely be tasked with handling the bulk of the early workload.
O-Line Depth Still a Question
The addition of Austin Deculus provides a reliable swing tackle option (Ryan’s full breakdown here). Still, the Chargers enter the year with just eight offensive linemen, a number that suggests more moves could be coming once waiver claims and free-agent opportunities arise.
Youth Movement at Linebacker and DB
Junior Colson landed on injured reserve and won’t return this year, essentially taking a medical redshirt. In his place, rookie Marlowe Wax earned a spot after a strong camp, joining fellow undrafted standouts like Eric Rogers and Nikko Reed. Harbaugh’s “Competitors Welcome” mantra has proven true, rewarding young players who made the most of their opportunities.
Expected, But Encouraging
Trey Lance securing the backup quarterback job was an anticipated development, but still a meaningful one for a player finding his footing in a new system. The team also managed to hold on to fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard and preseason sparkplug Caleb Murphy — both of whom could carve out real roles in the pass-rush rotation.
Toughest Cut
The biggest disappointment comes in the release of veteran safety Tony Jefferson. Given his experience and versatility, there’s reason to believe he could be back in powder blue if roster shuffling continues in the weeks ahead.
This mix of bold decisions, youth investment, and roster efficiency sets the stage for what should be an intriguing first season under Jim Harbaugh.
Here’s a full breakdown of the roster by position:
Quarterbacks (2)
- Justin Herbert
- Trey Lance
Running Backs (3)
- Omarion Hampton
- Najee Harris
- Hassan Haskins
Fullback (1)
- Scott Matlock
Wide Receivers (6)
- Keenan Allen
- Derius Davis
- Tre’ Harris
- Quentin Johnston
- KeAndre Lambert-Smith
- Ladd McConkey
Tight Ends (4)
- Tyler Conklin
- Will Dissly
- Tucker Fisk
- Oronde Gadsden
Offensive Line (8)
- Joe Alt
- Mekhi Becton
- Bradley Bozeman
- Austin Deculus
- Andre James
- Zion Johnson
- Trey Pipkins III
- Jamaree Salyer
Defensive Line (6)
- Jamaree Caldwell
- Justin Eboigbe
- Da’Shawn Hand
- Naquan Jones
- Otito Ogbonnia
- Teair Tart
Outside Linebackers (5)
- Bud Dupree
- Kyle Kennard
- Khalil Mack
- Caleb Murphy
- Tuli Tuipulotu
Inside Linebackers (4)
- Troy Dye
- Daiyan Henley
- Denzel Perryman
- Marlowe Wax
Defensive Backs (12)
- Alohi Gilman
- Cam Hart
- Donte Jackson
- Derwin James Jr.
- RJ Mickens
- Elijah Molden
- Nikko Reed
- Eric Rogers
- Tarheeb Still
- Benjamin St-Juste
- Ja’Sir Taylor
- Kendall Williamson
Specialists (2)
- Cameron Dicker (K)
- JK Scott (P)
CBSSports thinks the Chargers are going to finish UNDER 8.5 wins:
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2025-nfl-team-win-totals-odds-picks-best-bets-broncos-breakout-back-the-pack-after-micah-parsons-deal/
They also went over on the Broncos (9.5 wins – the Donks seem to have inherited the “winners of the pre-season” title from the Chargers), Chiefs (11.5 wins) but under on the Raiders (7.5 wins).
Long season. Lots can happen. The Chargers are already facing adversity with the Slater injury. However, I think this is a roster with quality and depth, & a staff that can lead. Excited to see how the season plays out.
Micah Parsons to the Packers? Wow. Not sure I wanted the Chargers to give up two 1st round picks, but man… The Packers are going all-in.
You and I seemed to be in the minority regarding trade value for Parsons.
Am I envious the Packers got him? Yes.
Would I give up 2 first rounders and a player? Nope.
You can attempt to actualise the trade with guys taken around Pick 20 (since the Packers or Chargers can expect to draft in that window with Micah Parsons on their team):
A possible comp would be:
Chargers give up: Quentin Johnston (first round pick 2023) + Omarion Hampton + Tuli
Chargers receive: Micah Parsons (including the ~$45AAV salary he would command).
Understand that people will fall on either side of the line here. But I expect the Packers would be thrilled with this deal. They offloaded a declining Kenny Clark whose contract was starting to weigh them down.
And they’ll have Parsons for almost his entire Prime. The key cost is their next two first rounders, and if those players end up being of the calibre of Quentin Johnston or Omarion Hampton (noting that good RBs can be found later in the Draft), I don’t think they’ll regret a thing.
They’re now in the SB window for the foreseeable future as long as Jordan Love plays at a decent level.
A couple other data points
Average age GB (25.23). Youngest team in the NFL.
Average age LAC (25.91). 7th youngest team in the NFL.
Salary cap space before the move:
GB: 19th most in 2026, 25th most in 2027
LAC: 2nd most 2026, 5th most in 2027.
I wish my football team made moves like this. I will live with Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones instead. And Bud Dupree.
If you think the Chargers are a Micah Parsons away from a championship, I wish I’d kept the swampy part of my farm to sell you.
They went 11-6 last season, have Justin Herbert (a top 5 QB), Jim Harbaugh (a top 8 HC), Jesse Minter (a top 5 DC) and a GM who also appears to be good at his job. Adding Parsons certainly wouldn’t have hurt the championship push!
I never said Parsons the player would hurt the push. He improves any roster. But I’d rather have the 2 first round picks than Parsons and I’ll stick to that until or unless this regime wastes them like the last one did. I have more confidence in this one so far.
I agree with Buck. Like it or not, this is not a leadership team that is going to make splashy player acquisitions. They are, instead, going to seek athletes who are available at a discount. So, no JC Jacksons and more Kristian Fultons and Poona Fords.
Let’s see how this trade works out for the Packers. Parsons could be the difference maker that pushes them past the Eagles or his contract could be the albatross that prevents them from retaining their young talent. While they got better, they also got older and more top-heavy. I think building a roster with 70 players that can contribute is more valuable than having a handful of expensive super-stars.
Seems odd to say the Packers got older. Clark is 29. Parsons is 26.
Fine. Good player. The question is now much should you pay to one player?
For this player, he deserved what the Packers gave him, and I wish it had been the Chargers.
This is a hypothetical discussion. We will never know for sure what value Parsons would have added to the Chargers vs. the salary and draft picks required to procure him.
I’m not sure Parsons is the best non-QB player in the NFL. I’m also not sure that adding one of the top edge players in the NFL vs. adding one of the top centers in the NFL would result in more wins for the Chargers. My view is that this Chargers team will go as far as their interior OL will take them. Adding an edge superstar to a very good position group would definitely raise the ceiling for this team. Adding a superstar center would significantly raise the floor.
FWIW:ESPN ranked Parsons 9th, behind (non-QB) Garrett, Pat Surtain II, Justin Jefferson & Ja’Marr Chase: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46043463/nfl-rank-2025-ranking-top-100-players-predictions-stats
I put very little credibility in any ESPN “journalism.”
I am comfortable in my opinion that Garrett and Parsons are the only two players in the top tier of non-QB players.
I would have made this deal in a heartbeat. You are NEVER getting a player of Parson’s caliber at the back half of the draft, where these picks are projected to be. Our Edge room is older and lacks depth. Plugging Parsons in for the next 4-5 years of his prime could have been a move that takes this defense into a perennial top 3-5 unit. If Parson’s plays at the same pace his contract will be worth it, and who’s to say he doesn’t take his game to another level under Minter?
This leadership at some point is going to have to shed the “little engine that could” mentality and start taking some swings at bigger names or make a bold or aggressive move or two. This cannot be a team consisting of Herbert and a bunch of “glue” guys to get to a SB.
Lemme know when Parsons can play center or do anything that keeps Herbert from getting trampled.
You can draft a solid C with your 2nd or 3rd round pick. For some reason this past year they did not.
This past year wasn’t the year to do it. 2024 was but I think they hoped it was solved with Bozeman. Hopefully in 26 they’ll rectify that.
I’m not going to agree that this would have been the correct move for the Chargers. How many rings did Parsons have with the Cowboys? We’re no closer roster-wise than them, yet somehow he’d put us over the top.
OK.
Respectfully, this is a meaningless argument, and Kev posted it also:
That is irrelevant.
The Cowboys have Jerry Jones as GM; the Chargers have Hortiz. Edge Chargers.
The Cowboys have Brian Schottenheimer at head coach. The Chargers have Harbaugh. Edge Chargers.
The Cowboys have Prescott at QB. The Chargers have Herbert. Edge Chargers.
Those are the 3 most important factors by far in a non-QB’s ability to win a championship. But lets’s also throw in future cap space.
In 2026, the Chargers are #3 in available cap space; the Cowboys are #20 . In 2027, the Chargers are #3 in available cap space; the Cowboys are #27 . Edge Chargers.
Obviously, the past doesn’t predict the future, especially when circumstances are completely different between past and future situations.
Look, the IOL is what it is at this point, but not looking to upgrade the team at a premium position for what I deem a reasonable cost is a mistake. It’s not like they had a choice between Cam Jurgens and Parsons. IMO our edge room is questionable at best. Mack is 34, Dupree is 32, Tuli is still developing and we have yet to see Kennard or Murphy play. If Mack goes down, it’s a below average unit. With where the Chargers are projected to draft in the near future, you are NEVER getting a player of his caliber. We will never know if Hortiz even had the offer to make the trade, so we could all be yelling into the wind about it.
It’s a below average unit with everyone healthy.
While I wouldnt have made the trade. I agree with this. The pick compensation is not a issue… frankly Dallas should have received more IMO
Not saying your wrong, but two counter-points:
Parsons definitely makes the Packers better. This move gives them a shot at knocking off the Eagles and winning a championship. Would Parsons have been he difference in the Chargers knocking off the Chiefs and Bills (and then the Eagles)? Maybe.
Again, like it or not, this is not a leadership team that believes in the big splash moves. They want to draft well and bring in bargain FAs with traits, then coach the shit out of them. Its the opposite of the Telesco approach and I am excited to see what Hortiz and team can build.
You create a strawman argument here:
It’s a strawman because (a) no one has made this argument, and (b) it presumes facts that IMO would never occur going forward.
If you think trading for Parsons means the Chargers would not be able to pay McConkey and Hampton when the time comes, IMO you are wrong, though I do think it is very possible they will choose not to pay Hampton given the ability to find capable RBs in every draft.
Just like the Chargers, prior to this tradae, the Packers have a good roster, good coaching, and good front office and play in a tough division. The Packers are now a true NFC contender for the next 4+ seasons, barring major injuries to key players. The Chargers could have been.
Whether or not this Chargers regime would do something like this is independent of discussing the merits of doing it for the Chargers.
It probably doesn’t matter now, because there almost certainly will not be another equivalent opportunity to acquire a Parsons-caliber player in the remainder of Harbaugh’s coaching career, since that is probably time-limited.
I was using Ladd and Hampton as examples of players you could draft with the picks the Chargers would have had to trade.
As I said previously, there is no “winning” this discussion. Even if Parsons leads the Packers to a championship, the question would always be what would he have done on a very good Chargers defense (and what did the Chargers forego as a cost of his acquisition).
Right there is no winning. I mean the team needs both quantity and quality. Every good team requires players to overperform early in their careers (cheap contracts) and quality (vets) especially at premium positions.
The thing is I don’t agree with Al and others saying the Chargers should have pulled the trigger on this trade, but the picks were not the reason. Two firsts for defensive player (quality) of the year sign me up for that. However it’s just not in the plan to pay a defensive player 45 mil. We are going with youth on the offensive (and need our pick capital for that) and vets in the DL rotation. That’s the plan it’s actually harder but we’re trying to give Herbert everything he needs
Sure, but your examples assume a best case scenario, while ignoring the possibility of picking players like Johnston, Murray, Tillery, Verrett, Zion, Fluker, etc. Hortiz isn’t Telesco, but he isn’t going to hit on every pick. We don’t even know if he hit on Hampton yet.
Of course there is no winning this discussion. We live with the reality we have. I hope for a great outcome at some point under this regime. Seems like a long shot right now, but I am rooting for it.
In fairness to Kev, he’s not pointing out the best case scenario… he’s omitting Tom Telesco picks, because they are less relevant than the data we have on Joe Hortiz the Charger, and the Ravens org.
Best data pool we have is the two drafts from Hortiz’s time here – the next best is the Ravens. Nate Wiggins, Zay Flowers, Tyler Linderbaum, Odafe Oweh, Rashad Bateman, Patrick Queen, Marquise Brown, Lamar Jackson…. that’s the complete list of Ravens picks after pick 21 since they drafted Lamar.
I’m actually more on the side of “Yeah, I would have loved to make this trade” than I’m against it. But I also agree that this team has “hit” on its recent picks at premium positions, and it would be real hard to pay Micah $47M APY and also account for a top QB contract, the current highest T contract, a Derwin extension, and another premium T contract when Alt comes around… not to mention Ladd, who won’t get a 5th year option.
OK, so I will adjust my thinking to assume that every late round 1st round pick by Hortiz will be as good as McConkey and Hampton. That is truly great news, at least if Hampton hits.
And, independent of this situation, IMO the Chargers should think twice about giving Derwin another top of market safety contract when that time comes. I don’t think they should. Especially since we can count on Hortiz to draft like that.
No sarcasm font here, but I’m sure you get my drift on the drafting.
As I said several times above, there is no “winning” this debate. If the Chargers had made this deal, I would be super-excited. But, they didn’t, and I understand the reasons why. Like it or not, this is a team that is going to draft well, sign “value” FAs with “traits” and spend their cap on retaining the premium players they drafted. That, and good coaching (which is debatable on the offensive side of the ball) is their philosophy.
So, discussing a trade for Parsons is a bit like discussing how great it would be if monkeys had wings and could fly. Interesting to discuss. Not going to happen.
I still feel the floor for the 2025 Chargers will be determined by the OL (and specifically center and LG). I would much rather upgrade the interior OL vs adding edge talent.
I wouldn’t say Hortiz has knocked the drafts out of the park yet. As Tau stated previously, there are no 6th or 7th picks on the active roster, he still hasn’t addressed the IOL in a draft, Colson looks like a bust and we have yet to see any of the 2025 picks in a real game. IMO, the Alt pick was a no brainer that high in the draft and even if it wasn’t Alt, the next group of probable picks were Nabers, Bowers, Fashanu or Latham look to be good players. Ladd was a fantastic selection, that cannot be argued. But the rest of his tenure has been propped up by drafting Hart and Still. So, I wouldn’t say at this point, he has proven to have been some wizard of the draft, but it is still a small sample size to judge completely.
Hmm an elite player on D can make a huge difference on the getting to the passer…think Chris Jones. Using JC, or Fulton as an example is not at all the same. As we will see how this pans out. You gotta have super-stars who can get to the QB think Merriman yeah you remember him. Also, remember when Von Miller terrorized Young in the SB? You and I were both at the last Chargers Superbowl hope we are still kicking when they are in the next one.
Screw the picks it’s only two 1sts (late firsts). If youre going to make the case for not trading for Parsons make it about roster building. Say that his 40/mil per year could be spread out and allow you pay more high quality players. Point out that we’re going with quantity along the pass rush rotation.
I’m saying we’re not 1 player away from building a championship team and I’ll stay on that island.
1 player who will be around several years….Yes maybe not quite yet a championship team but getting a stud for 2 firsts is a bargin it is really getting him only a single first as you will be pressed to find a pass rusher like him in the draft. Then yes you give up another first. Should have done it.
I am with Alister on this one. I was around when Fred Dean was dealt away and he was a key piece to the D on the Niners. When you can get a possible HOF talent in their prime I would go for it.
I am not completely sold on this new regime yet they drafted a LB in the 3rd, a DT in the 4th a year ago and they haven’t done much but what really bothers me is the lack of activity on the OL.
The position group that is going to determine how far the Chargers go in 2025 is the interior OL. Dallas won exactly zero championships with Parsons. The Chiefs seem to be in the super bowl every fucking year with Creed Humphries at center.
I agree with Alister.
Parsons is arguably the best non-QB player in the league today. Some would argue Garrett is better, there is an argument either way on that. But Parsons is ~3.5 years younger than Garrett.
Alister pointed out it would be like giving up two future picks the equivalent of Johnston and Hampton caliber picks. Not the equivalent of Joe Alt caliber picks, because the Chargers won’t be drafting high enough to get players like that in 2026 or 2027 without getting extraordinarily lucky and having a great value fall.
What’s more, the Chargers would have Parsons for 1 year before the 2026 1st round pick and 2 years before the 2027 1st round pick. You can’t ignore that significant value that is part of this equation before you even get any value from the players drafted in 2026 and 2027.
IMO the Cowboys should have gotten more for him than they did.
Here is a great article about why this was worth it for the Packers: The Quick, Dirty, Simple Math on Why Micah Parsons is Worth It
The Packers were basically a mirror of the Chargers in many ways.
This move might just make the Packers true contenders to win the NFC North and contend for the NFC championship and possibly a Super Bowl. That means this season, and each of the next few seasons. The same could have been true of the Chargers.
Speaking of addressing center….
2026 NFL mock draft: Preseason edition includes 5 QBs taken in first round, including a big surprise at No. 1 – CBSSports.com https://share.google/GB47qiQlYVAE7NQch
I hope we’re not picking this early but I also hope we can get a player of this caliber at a position of need.
Interesting. I usually don’t read mock’s before the NFL season starts (in years past, mocks were usually fodder for when the Chargers playoff chances approached zero). Reactions:
Addressing center has to be the #1 priority of the off-season.
Rick Lovato. New long snapper. Two SB rings. Old Dominion guy. Seems as if he’s chasing Buck across the country.
Somehow Monarchs keep finding their way onto this team. Wishing him success, of course!
Del-Shawn is back. Rogers on reserve.
https://www.chargers.com/news/sign-del-shawn-phillips-eric-rogers-injured-reserve-2025
Bridges to the Cowboys, Campbell to the Panthers.
Of the 29 waiver claims, 12 were DBs – largest position group by far. Sucks losing Sanders to the Browns (and I really liked Campbell), but losing one of the young DBs, which almost certainly happened if the Chargers cut Reed or Rogers, would have sucked more.
DJ Ukulele (my new nickname for him as I can spell or say his last name) and Branson Taylor signed to the practice squad.
Thanks for the update. Bummed about D-Camp. I was hoping to get him on the PS. I wasn’t that enamored with Rocket.
I guess they obviously could read the room that everyone was looking for DBs.
Kaltenberger and Garmon Randolph to PS (allegedly)…..
Vidal to the practice squad
https://www.chargers.com/news/sign-17-players-to-practice-squad-2025
This feels like the “best” practice squad the Chargers have had in quite some time. Certainly as long as I can remember.
There are at least 8 – 9 players on there that could be on the 53-man at some point this season.
Where is Morris-Brash????
Don’t see him signed anywhere. Dude will be 25 next month. Not sure if his future is football?
Jefferson, Miller-Hines, Reagor all on the PS. I expect all will see the field in 2025.
However… the first week elevation will definitely be LS Rick Lovato.
I predic tthe first week elevation will be Lovato plus either Miller-Hines or Vidal, just in case Harris isn’t ready.
Regarding Lovato, Harris is out a minimum of 4 games, and they can only elevate Lovato 3 times before signing him to the final roster. So it will be interesting to see if they elevate him 3 times and use Fisk in another game or if they ultimately sign Lovato, at least temporarily.
I think you are absolutely correct on the elevations.
They worked out 4 long-snappers today. I think they elevate Lovato 3 times & then either sign him for a game or sign one of the other players they worked out.
My thoughts on the initial 53. I dont know enough about the OL situation as far as the trade to make a solid point but it seems the team as found a possible swing tackle, however with 8 OL there’s still another move to be made here. One of the DBs will likely be exposed to waivers late to add another OT option maybe someone with some inside flexibility.
Everything else offensively is fine. Rolling with just 3 RBs is weird for many to grasp, but actually smart. Consider the upside of a Rocket Sanders compared with upside of the extra DB they are carrying. The positional value, upside potential with Minter, and value in the kicking game all demand you lean towards stacking the secondary over RB. Especially I mean consider the resources invested per player in both position groups. Compared to the league we are still investing heavily at RB even with just 3 on the initial 53. You could also say compared with everyone else we are still underfunding the CB position.
Defensively the linebacker shuffle didnt surprise me at all. Colson was overthinking and they needed to move off him. Dude looks lost on defense and isnt a plus contributor in the kicking game. Not happy he’s injured but pleased they found a way to get the best players on the roster. Going with Wax was smart. Remember sometimes the better player might be replaced by someone who has an unknown ceiling and more contractual years over control.
Chef Hortiz understands that these unknowns whether they are late round draft picks, first year players, or undrafted FAs are like lotto tickets. You buy as many as you can at the expense of older players
I wanted Emany Johnson to make the team. Hopefully he comes back on the PS
As Kev pointed out in another thread, some of this must be related to betting on holding players for at least a few days to get through initial waivers before waiving them. I would be shocked if they hold 12 DBs not including Jefferson for very long; I assume they just didn’t think they could get Reed, Rogers, and/or Williamson through waivers.
Not too surprised on Jefferson. I ended up predicting him to make it to avoid risk that another team like the Ravens sign him away, but I think they probably had a sense that wouldn’t happen to do this.
Happy for Wax but pretty surprised Phillips didn’t make it. Also surprised Colson went on season ending IR rather than IR designated for return. That pick is looking like a probable bust.
I like the decision to go with 8 OL allowing Fisk to make the final roster. Even better is that they waived Taylor; I didn’t think they would do it.
Interesting that two roster cutdowns into the regime, none of the 5 6th and 7th round draft picks are on the final roster. I don’t think any of them are major losses, but it does show that, as good as Hortiz has seemed at 5th round picks, he has essentially missed on all 6th and 7th round picks. And, frankly, the 4th round picks aren’t looking great right now, either.
Finally, very surprised about the RB choices. I figured I would be wrong about Miller-Hines, but figured if so, Vidal would make it… and I thought Sanders was a lock. Part of the reason I’m surprised is that I didn’t think there was any real chance Harris could play in week 1, despite Hortiz’s recent statement about it. I suppose they can always elevate a RB from the practice squad for week 1 if he isn’t ready. It just seemed like a bit of an easy button to start Harris on NFI and make sure he was truly ready before activating. Will be interesting to watch.
What’s up with Josh Harris? I know he had some kind of injury in the last preseason game but have not seen anything reported. Was he placed on IR? Surely he wasn’t waived.
The Broncos released Audric Estime yesterday. Maybe Hortiz likes him or other RBs out there more than their own guys. Rocket had a good preseason but Ryan shared some clips where he chose to bounce the run outside despite the inside track being blocked up properly (where the run was designed to go). Could have contributed to the decision. OCs don’t like that and it’s less likely to work in the regular season against first team defenses.
I assume that Tony Jefferson’s release was carefully orchestrated and communicated to him (plus done with his blessing), but TJ tweeted this 3 hours ago: “It just be motivation for me. I don’t take any of it personal. I just put ut on tape – when I get the opportunity to. Luv’. This doesn’t preclude him being signed back to the PS, of course, but suggests some element of surrprise?
Josh Harris is one of the two on the IR/designated to return. Not sure what the injury was, but Tucker Fisk presumably is the long snapper now until at least Wk 5.
I expect more moves in the next 24 hours and, like you, I think it’s highly unlikely that 12 DBs remain on the roster for long.
My guess for the next people to be cut (in order): Rogers (for an RB), Williamson (for another OL)
With the lack of 6th and 7th round picks making the roster is even more ammo against glazing comp picks over FA talent. Not that you should dismiss the comp pick formula entirely, but in valuing them so highly, you are choosing to bet on long shot lottery tickets than actual proven NFL production. So far the extra comp picks aren’t amounting to much. Like I said, Hortiz’ second go around was very underwhelming.
Turning what was a terrible, very bad, no good 2023 roster into a playoff roster in year 1 was an amazing feat. Lots of savvy decisions made under Hortiz that would have been impossible for Telesco to imagine.
By far, the worst decision by Hortiz was not addressing the interior OL in either draft. As many have pointed out, there were quality interior linemen available when the Chargers drafted Colson (a pick I liked at the time) and Eboigbe (a pick I hated). Signing Becton (a move I loved) was a step in the right direction, but rolling Bozeman back out at C (a move I hate) is a mistake which will limit the teams success in 2025.
For a team that views the OL as a “weapon,” the complacency with a roster full of low-end talent in the interior and no depth is confusing. I expected more urgency. The only thought I have in defense of Hortiz is that he expected the OL staff to perform at the same level as the DB staff. Helping talented players ascend into productive, quality NFL players is an amazing feat my Minter and Clink. Develin has underwhelmed and not really made anyone better (at least that I can see).
In fairness, prior to Slater’s injury, the Chargers had swing T Pipkins, swing G and second depth T Salyer, and C James as depth. I doubt there are many NFL teams with better depth than that. That group has a lot of snaps and starts at the NFL level.
The major problem we all saw coming was planning to start Zion and Bozeman again. The problem is they are depth caliber players, not starter caliber players, at least ideally. Signing Becton for RG certainly helped the IOL, though. With solid depth and the Becton upgrade, it seemed like an OL plan that was less than ideal but not completely unreasonable.
Slater’s injury changed everything, and I don’t know how you can really expect Hortiz to foresee and prepare for that. I doubt there are many NFL teams that can lose their best OL for the season and easily withstand that with little impact.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not letting Hortiz off the hook. By far the worst decisionmaking of his tenure is not drafting a center in the 2024 draft which was probably the most center-rich draft in NFL history.
It’s amazing how the Slater injury disrupted the OL. Terrible injury.
Agree 100%. You can never bank on a season ending injury to a star OT in preseason, but look at how that one injury had a domino effect on the rest of the line. If there was a better OT option added instead of just a 6th round flier, we wouldn’t have had to trade for Deculus.
Spot on analysis, Tau. Agree with every single thing written. Not addressing Zion/Bozeman was the major problem. But things otherwise were looking promising, and before the Slater injury you could’ve argued it was the deepest 8 OL in the entire League. But there just aren’t enough good OL in the NFL for a team easily to cover losing one of the best LTs. They’ll be treading water all season now.
Probably the biggest mistake of this regime’s drafts so far was taking Colson (I wonder how much Harbaugh pushed for that) rather than an IOL player.
I am biased against LBers in general though. If I were a GM, I probably would never draft one earlier than the 5th round.
Well, if they wanted to draft a LB in the 3rd round in 2024, obviously they should have drafted the best LB and defensive player in college football, Payton Wilson of NC State. 🐺 🐺 🐺
(I agree with you. IOL would have been a much better choice.)
Analysis above was spot on Tau.
We all hoped IOL would get addressed last year – and it wasn’t. It never made sense to roll Pipkins out as a guard, and adding some competition at center made too much sense in a C heavy draft… but it was ignored. The draft as a whole was great, but we all had the expectation of a IOL upgrade, and Joe completely whiffed on it.
It’s crazy to see IOL not get significantly addressed at the starter level again. But as you said, the depth we had at OL rivaled any other position group… other than QB. Couldn’t have predicted that injury… but I would have felt much, much better about losing Slater if our IOL felt STOUT. Sadly, it doesn’t.
I guess you and I didn’t jump up and down and scream loud enough for JPJ or, my preference, Frazier.
I agree with the roster management issues with respect to the IOL. Not drafting a center in 2024 was a very bad, horrible, terrible mistake.
I do think the OL coaches need to take some accountability. Clink and Minter have been able to take day 3 picks and UDFAs with traits and turn them into very productive NFL players. The OL coaches seem to have the opposite effect. They’ve elevated no one. On top of that, the same stunts seemed to confuse Zion/Bozeman every damn game last year. The lack of adjustments was beyond frustrating.
I haven’t been impressed with a Chargers OL coach since Houck.
I will be shocked if Jefferson is not on the Chargers PS by the end of the week.
Nailed it.
Interesting that the Ravens offered him a 53 man roster spot, and he declined. He must have some kind of highly valued promise to move into a non-playing career path with the team.
Where did you see this?
Another Chargers site I trust.
I didn’t know this! Interesting!
Cleveland grabbed Sanders
The Browns only had 2 RBs on their roster, so this makes sense. Interesting that Vidal has not been claimed…
6th/7th round picks are always so low of a probability of success to begin with and there were no good 6th/7th round picks last year (at least so far). No one made any more of an impact than Vidal for example, and a lot of them are being cut this year. Weak draft.
This year’s draft was very weak too, I’m not expecting to see many (if any) players beyond the 5th round have much of an impact or stick past rookie contracts.
Next year is looking like a better crop.
Understand they are low probability picks, and this isn’t really a fair thing to criticize. But I find this to be an interesting early track record:
2024 6th (181) – Drafted RB Vidal; cut in 20252024 7th (225) – Drafted WR Rice; cut in 20252024 7th (253) – Drafted WR Johnson; cut in 20242025 6th (181, from NE) – Traded to PHI to move up and draft TE Gadsden2025 6th (199) – Drafted OL Taylor; cut in 20252025 6th (209) – Traded to PHI to move up and draft Gadsden2025 6th (214) – Drafted S Mickens; looks like a good value2025 7th (218, from MIN) – Traded to ATL for QB Heinicke2025 7th (256) – Drafted DB Bridges; cut in 20252026 7th (TBD) – Traded to TEN for S MoldenIt’s early, but this makes it appear that so far it is 6 draft picks, 1 hit (Mickens) and 3 trades (4 draft picks), 2 hits (and Heinicke wasn’t really a bust, exactly).
Maybe seek more trades?
Not sure why bullets sometimes get converted into paragraphs on this site… It makes the info much less readable.
More reason not to sweat Comp picks over spending in FA.