Just last night, the Los Angeles Chargers kicked off the first preseason game of the calendar year with a commanding win over the Detroit Lions. As LA moves into their second year with Jim Harbaugh at the helm, how much will they improve from their disappointing first round exit a year ago?
In Jim Harbaugh's inaugural season with the Chargers, LA went 11-6 on the campaign and clinched the first wild card spot in the AFC. It is always a steep hill to climb for LA due to the constant competition and having to deal with the Kansas City Chiefs each and every year.
Los Angeles started their offseason with a bold move after cutting their long time defensive end Joey Bosa. For a fringe top 10 defense, losing Bosa could be very impactful. Aside from Bosa, the Chargers main objective was keeping the rest of their defensive core intact in which they did.
The Chargers controlled one of the premier passing defenses in the NFL and to improve upon their already splendid defense, LA upgraded at cornerback after signing Donte Jackson. Los Angeles maintained a good majority of their core, and at the same time they got deeper as well.
As Justin Herbert enters his 6th season under center for the Chargers, he will have a completely revamped running back room at his disposal. After a season with JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards as the two-headed monster in the backfield, the Chargers have taken a different route in 2025 with Najee Harris and rookie Omarion Hampton.
Los Angeles ranked slightly below average in terms of their rushing offense and felt they could definitely improve this offseason. Many people around the league have high hopes for newly drafted rookie out of North Carolina, Omarion Hampton. It is expected that he will end the season as the unanimous RB1 in LA.
Speaking of rookies, a season ago we saw rookie Ladd McConkey take the league by storm and assert himself as the WR1 for the blue and gold. After racking up the 10th most receiving yards as a rookie in 2024, McConkey will look to show fans that his brief time in the NFL has not been a fluke.
LA's offensive line on paper looks like on of the better ones out there. After signing Mekhi Becton to a two-year deal and extending Rashawn Slater, if this offensive line stays healthy, this Chargers offense will be tough to stop.
For the past couple of years, we have gotten used to seeing the Ravens, Chiefs, and Bills come out as the top three teams in the AFC. However, there is no clear cut 4th best team in the conference. Could this be the year where the Chargers assert themselves as that team?
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