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Kimani Vidal Kimani Vidal In the mix for depth role
Wed, Jul 9, 2025, 3:35 PM
As training camp approaches, Vidal is looking to secure a role behind newcomers Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton, Spencer Schultz of USA Today reports.
Analysis: During his rookie campaign, Vidal recorded 43 carries for 155 yards and added five catches for 62 yards and a TD across 10 regular season games, while working in a backfield that also included J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Ahead of Week 1, the 2024 sixth-rounder figures to compete with Hassan Haskins for depth slotting behind Harris and Hampton, with Schultz noting that Vidal's case for a roster spot/role in 2025 could hinge on him demonstrating that he can be a factor in the Chargers' passing game. |
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Tre Harris Tre Harris Building early momentum
Mon, Jun 23, 2025, 3:47 PM
Harris stood out in contested-catch situations during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Harris appears to be successfully building early chemistry with QB Justin Herbert, of whom he said at mandatory minicamp, "Every throw he's made to me has been right on the money," per Omar Navarro of the Chargers' official site. The rookie second-round pick said his largest focus at this stage of the offseason, however, has been working closely with wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal to learn offensive coordinator Greg Roman's playbook. Despite getting a tremendous boost from 2024 second-round pick Ladd McConkey last season, Los Angeles' offense struggled at times to threaten opposing defenses downfield. Harris' skill set seemingly makes him an ideal candidate to fill that weakness, with Gavino Borquez of USA Today noting that the expectation should be for the rookie second-rounder to establish himself as Herbert's go-to deep threat early. Harris' primary competition for targets behind McConkey in Roman's run-heavy scheme will be Quentin Johnston and Mike Williams. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Still running with first team
Thu, Jun 12, 2025, 11:24 PM
Johnston was running with the first-team offense during mandatory minicamp, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Johnston took a step forward in his second pro season despite logging fewer snaps. However, his role in 2025 appeared to be in jeopardy after the team signed Mike Williams (undisclosed) and selected Tre Harris 55th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. According to Popper, Ladd McConkey, Johnston and Jalen Reagor have been the trio of receivers running with the first team during mandatory minicamp. Harris will likely rise up the depth chart as training camp progresses, so Johnston's role is not yet secure, particularly if Williams can remain on the field. |
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Mike Williams Mike Williams Should be back for camp
Thu, Jun 12, 2025, 2:23 PM
Williams is expected to be ready for training camp after missing June minicamp with an undisclosed injury, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Signed to a one-year contract worth up to $6 million, Williams is hoping to rebound from a down season in 2024 with his 31st birthday coming up in October. The odds may be against him, but it's at least worth noting that last season was his first year back from an ACL tear, which means he may actually be more explosive in 2025 even though he's another year older. Williams figures to compete with Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris for perimeter snaps. |
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Brenden Rice Brenden Rice Past shoulder issue
Wed, May 28, 2025, 4:03 PM
Rice (shoulder) was spotted participating in Wednesday's practice, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: The 23-year-old finished his 2024 campaign on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, but his participation in Wednesday's practice suggests he's moved past the issue. Rice appeared in three games during his rookie season, failing to tally any stats across 13 total snaps. Now fully healthy, Rice is expected to compete for a depth role in Los Angeles' wide receiver corps throughout the summer. |
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Jalen Reagor Jalen Reagor Participating in OTAs
Tue, May 27, 2025, 6:06 PM
Reagor (finger) has been an active participant at the Chargers' OTAs, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Reagor was re-signed by Los Angeles in the offseason after spending the majority of the 2024 campaign with the team. The wide receiver ended the season on injured reserve with a finger injury, which sidelined him for the final four regular-season contests and the team's only playoff game. Reagor now appears to be fully healthy and he'll look to carve out a role for himself on offense while likely operating as a return-specialist with the Chargers in 2025. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Could lose role to Tre Harris?
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 1:32 PM
Second-round pick Tre Harris figures to compete with Johnston and Mike Williams for perimeter snaps, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Chargers' top receiver, Ladd McConkey, is at his best working from the slot, yet also figures to get playing time in two-wide formations (as was the case for much of last season). Johnston thus finds himself in a tricky situation, despite being a recent first-round pick (22nd overall in 2023) who improved considerably between Years 1 and 2. The improved version was still wildly inconsistent, memorably putting up 186 yards in Week 18 before going catch-less (on five targets) in a wild-card round loss at Houston. Johnston is good with the ball in his hands, especially relative to other big WRs, but Harris may prove superior at getting open and catching the ball. There's also some chance, though perhaps a slim one, that Williams emerges as a real threat again, now two years removed from an ACL tear and returning to Los Angeles after a one-year sabbatical. The good news for those interested in Johnston is that his already-modest ADP figures to drop even further after the Harris pick. |
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Najee Harris Najee Harris Facing competition from Hampton
Fri, Apr 25, 2025, 9:01 AM
Harris has new backfield competition after the Chargers drafted Omarion Hampton at No. 22 overall Thursday night.
Analysis: At 6-foot, 221 pounds, Hampton is smaller than Harris but larger than most NFL lead backs, and with 4.46 combine speed to boot. It may not be long before he challenges Harris for the starting job, although the veteran almost certainly would retain a role in that scenario, if only for pass blocking and to help keep Hampton fresh. Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract in March, with all of that money guaranteed and another $4 million available via incentives. Compared to other RBs, that can either be viewed as low-end-starter money or the top of the market for backups. |
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Tucker Fisk Tucker Fisk Remains with Bolts
Mon, Apr 21, 2025, 4:35 PM
Fisk signed an exclusive rights free agent tender with the Chargers on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: The 26-year-old tight end from Stanford will now remain in Los Angeles after spending his 2024 campaign with the Chargers. Fisk played a career-high 198 offensive snaps over nine regular-season contests last year, catching seven of his eight targets for 39 yards. He's also contributed on special teams, logging 151 special-teams snaps over his two years in the NFL. With Fisk returning to the Chargers, he's expected to compete for a depth spot in the tight end corps during the team's offseason activities. |
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Trey Lance Trey Lance Signing with L.A.
Fri, Apr 4, 2025, 4:05 PM
Lance and the Chargers reached agreement on a one-year deal Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Per Schefter, Lance's one-year pact with Los Angles is worth up to $6.2 million. Lance -- who the 49ers took with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft -- joins Taylor Heinicke in the team's backup QB mix behind undisputed starter Justin Herbert. The 24-year-old spent the last two seasons with Dallas, where he worked behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. |
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Tyler Conklin Tyler Conklin Lands with Bolts
Fri, Mar 21, 2025, 4:08 PM
Conklin agreed to terms Friday on a one-year contract with the Chargers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Conklin joins Will Dissly atop Los Angeles' tight-end depth chart, after both players logged similarly productive 2024 campaigns. Dissly (50-481-2) suited up for 15 regular-season games with the Chargers last year, while Conklin (51-449-4) played all 17 regular-season contests with the Jets. Both tight ends boast enough versatility to contribute as solid blockers and pass catchers. That overlap could cause their individual production to decline from a fantasy perspective, but it's a plus for Justin Herbert and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. |
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Taylor Heinicke Taylor Heinicke Back with Bolts
Thu, Mar 13, 2025, 7:59 PM
Heinicke signed a one-year contract worth up to $6.2 million with the Chargers on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Heinicke spent the 2024 season with the Chargers as the backup to Justin Herbert but played only 22 offensive snaps while attempting five passes. He's spent parts of a few seasons as a starter and will once again be one of the more competent backups in the league. |
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Mike Williams Mike Williams Teaming up with Herbert again
Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 8:41 PM
The Chargers signed Williams to a one-year contract worth up to $6 million Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Williams was selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft and spent his first seven professional seasons with the organization, topping out at 76 catches for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns during a career-best 2021 campaign. The Clemson product moved on to the Jets last offseason but struggled to produce and was traded to the Steelers in early November. Between his stints with the two clubs, Williams tallied a modest 21 catches on 34 targets for 298 yards and one touchdown over 18 regular-season games last year. With his return to Los Angeles, Williams will team up with a familiar quarterback in Justin Herbert, and he should have a decent-sized role as the team's No. 2 or No. 3 receiver behind Ladd McConkey. |
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Jalen Reagor Jalen Reagor Staying in L.A.
Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 1:04 PM
The Chargers will re-sign Reagor.
Analysis: Reagor played in eight games with the Chargers in 2024, catching seven of his 12 targets for 100 yards. He also took three carries for -3 yards. He projects to rotate in sparingly to run mostly clearing routes in 2025, though he could also contribute on special teams. |
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Najee Harris Najee Harris Finds new home with Chargers
Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 8:30 PM
The Chargers are slated to sign Harris to a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: It's worth up to $9.25 million. With J.K. Dobbins' contract expired and Gus Edwards recently released, the Chargers were in dire need of a running back. They've found one in Harris, who Chargers OC Greg Roman knows well from their time together in the AFC North. Since being selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, Harris has started all 68 regular-season games, a rarity for running backs in this day and age. While Harris lacks big-play ability and efficiency and doesn't do much in the pass game, he makes up for it with toughness and availability. Harris averaged a subpar 3.9 yards per carry on 1,097 rushing attempts in four seasons with the Steelers and rushed for over 1,000 yards on each occasion. Look for Harris to be coach Jim Harbaugh's new lead back in Los Angeles. |
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Gus Edwards Gus Edwards Slated to be released
Fri, Mar 7, 2025, 6:26 PM
The Chargers have informed Edwards that he will be released, which will make him a free agent, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Edwards has one year remaining on the two-year deal he signed with Los Angeles last March, but it doesn't look like he'll be with the Chargers next season. The veteran tailback averaged a meager 3.6 yards per carry on 101 totes over 11 regular-season games last year, and he didn't contribute much in the passing game with just three catches for six yards. J.K. Dobbins instead emerged as the team's top back, and the Chargers could look to bring Dobbins back with Edwards expected to be out of the picture. By releasing Edwards, the Chargers will clear $3.13 million in cap space. |
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Tucker Fisk Tucker Fisk Tendered by Bolts
Wed, Mar 5, 2025, 5:27 PM
The Chargers placed an exclusive rights tender on Fisk on Wednesday.
Analysis: Fisk played in the final nine games (five starts) of the 2024 regular season after beginning the campaign on the practice squad, and over that span he accumulated seven catches (on eight targets) for 39 yards. He played just 11 offensive snaps in the Chargers' loss to the Texans in the AFC wild-card round, but he managed to haul in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert. Fisk will likely sign the tender and return to the Chargers for the 2025 season, where he projects to serve as the No. 2 tight end for the 2025 campaign behind Will Dissly. |
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Hayden Hurst Hayden Hurst Disappointing season in LA
Mon, Feb 17, 2025, 2:32 PM
Hurst appeared in nine regular-season games for the Chargers in 2024, recording eight catches (on 13 targets) for 73 yards.
Analysis: Hurst joined the Chargers on a one-year contract last March, with expectations of bouncing back after a down year in Carolina. Instead, the 31-year-old set career-low marks across the board, including not recording a touchdown for the first time in his seven-year career. A hip injury, which led to a stint on IR, derailed any momentum he may have been building early in the season with his new squad. Ultimately, he finished the campaign as a healthy scratch in their wild-card matchup against the Texans. |
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Stone Smartt Stone Smartt Puts up career-high marks
Mon, Feb 17, 2025, 2:24 PM
Smartt played in 15 regular-season games in 2024, making 16 catches (on 19 targets) for 208 yards.
Analysis: Smartt's reception and yardage totals were career highs, despite playing 122 offensive snaps less in 2024 than he had in 2023. The Old Dominion product is set to be a restricted free agent in March and is a candidate to return to the squad in 2025, depending on how the Chargers rework their tight-end corps with only Will Dissly under contract for next season. |
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Tucker Fisk Tucker Fisk Finishes as the Bolts' No. 2 TE
Mon, Feb 17, 2025, 2:18 PM
Fisk appeared in nine regular-season games for the Chargers in 2024, collecting seven receptions (on eight targets) for 39 yards.
Analysis: Fisk signed with the team's active roster Nov. 9 after starting the season on its practice squad. Injuries to Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst opened up the opportunity for the Stanford product, who spent the previous season in Atlanta. Fisk is set to be an exclusive-rights free agent in March but is a candidate to return to the team, depending on what direction they go this offseason at tight end. |
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