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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Expects more YAC in new scheme
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 11:38 AM
Johnston said at mandatory minicamp that he's excited for new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme and expects to be "set up for the yards after catch," Omar Navarro of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: Johnston said McDaniel's scheme will put him "in the right position to be successful," noting that much of his collegiate success at TCU came after the catch. The 2023 first-round pick, who had his fifth-year option exercised in April, also said he's enjoyed working closely with his new offensive coordinator. Johnston managed a 51-735-8 line on 84 targets while suiting up for 14 regular-season games last year and could take a step forward in 2026 under McDaniel's scheme, with Keenan Allen still unsigned and freeing up 122 targets, and Los Angeles' offensive line set to return to health. Johnston, Ladd McConkey (hamstring) and Tre' Harris headline Justin Herbert's receiving corps, while tight ends Oronde Gadsden, David Njoku and Charlie Kolar will also figure into the passing game. |
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Omarion Hampton Omarion Hampton Excited for McDaniel's system
Thu, Jun 18, 2026, 1:20 PM
Hampton said Wednesday that he and the other Chargers running backs are excited to play for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, NFL.com's Bobby Kownack reports.
Analysis: Hampton also mentioned earning a Terrell Davis comp from McDaniel this offseason. There's understandably a lot of hype around the Chargers offense with McDaniel taking over and OTs Joe Alt (foot) and Rashawn Slater (knee) expected to return from last year's season-ending injuries. The situation is indeed promising for Hampton in terms of per-carry efficiency and TD upside, but there's been some doubt about his workload projection after the Chargers gave Keaton Mitchell a two-year, $9.3 million contract this offseason. They also still have Kimani Vidal, but Hampton is the largest of the bunch (6-foot, 220 pounds) and probably also the best pass catcher -- without sacrificing much in terms of speed (4.46 40) or agility. If McDaniel's offense lives up to the hype, Hampton won't need 300 carries to make his fantasy managers happy. |
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Past hamstring injury
Tue, Jun 16, 2026, 10:43 PM
Dupree, who missed the Chargers' lone playoff game last season due to a hamstring issue, is participating in OTAs, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Dupree hurt his hamstring in Week 18 last season and had to sit out the Chargers' wild-card round loss to New England. However, his attendance during OTAs suggests that the veteran cornerback is back to full health. Dupree started just five of the 16 games in which he played last year and is slated for a similar role in 2026, as Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack are back as Los Angeles' starting outside linebackers. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Dealing with strained hamstring
Tue, Jun 16, 2026, 4:33 PM
McConkey said Tuesday that he's tending to a left hamstring strain, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Analysis: Coach Jim Harbaugh told Insdorf earlier Tuesday that McConkey was "working through something" and would be limited to individual drills at this week's mandatory minicamp. McConkey clarified the nature of the injury not long afterward, while adding "let's get it healthy and ready to roll for" training camp. Through 32 regular-season games to begin his career, the 2024 second--round pick has tallied 148 catches (on 218 targets) for 1,938 yards and 13 touchdowns. McConkey will be seeking the second 1,000-yard campaign of his career under the direction of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Limited to individual drills
Tue, Jun 16, 2026, 1:11 PM
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday that McConkey (undisclosed) is "working through something" and will be limited to individual drills at mandatory minicamp, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Analysis: McConkey seems to be dealing with a minor injury, leading to Los Angeles holding him out from team drills to avoid contact. Per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, Harbaugh downplayed the severity of McConkey's injury, so it doesn't appear there's any level of concern about his status for the start of training camp in July. McConkey racked up 66 catches for 789 yards and six scores on 106 targets across 16 regular-season appearances in 2025, a step down from his rookie year production (82-1,149-7) in 2024. There are reasons to be optimistic about McConkey's chances of making a Year 3 leap, however, with quarterback Justin Herbert slated to benefit from a healthy O-line, new OC Mike McDaniel bringing a spark on offense, and Keenan Allen no longer providing competition for targets. |
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KeAndre Lambert-Smith KeAndre Lambert-Smith Drilling during OTAs
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 6:29 PM
Lambert-Smith (hamstring) is participating during the Chargers' OTAs, Eric Smith of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Lambert-Smith only played in 10 games during his rookie season last year, in part because he was tending to a lingering hamstring injury. The Chargers' only big move at wide receiver during the offseason was selecting Brenen Thompson in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and Lambert-Smith is one of a few players working on returning punts during offseason workouts, so now that he's back to full strength, he should have a realistic chance of snagging a spot on the 53-man roster for this season. |
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Justin Herbert Justin Herbert Focused on improving footwork
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 11:20 AM
Herbert said Tuesday that a priority during OTAs has been to overhaul his footwork under the direction of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, Kris Rhim of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Herbert said for each of the next few weeks he expects to dedicate one day to footwork and throwing-motion drills, with the goal of speeding up his release. Under McDaniel's new offensive scheme, Herbert said an early emphasis has been "just getting the ball out as quick as possible" rather than relying on his arm strength, in order to allow his pass-catchers "maximum ability to turn upfield and have time before a defender gets to them" and accumulate yards after the catch. That shift will play to the strengths of the Chargers' athletic skill-position group, led by playmakers like RB Omarion Hampton, WRs Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, and TEs Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku, and help reduce some of the attrition Herbert faced as the most pressured quarterback in the NFL last season. Offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (kneecap) and Joe Alt (ankle) are both expected to be cleared for training camp as well, so there are multiple reasons to be optimistic that Los Angeles' offense will take a productive step forward in 2026, with Herbert being a focal beneficiary of McDaniel's creative playcalling. |
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Announces injury update
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 9:49 PM
Alt (ankle) said Wednesday that he doesn't expect his injured ankle to be a problem for training camp, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Analysis: Alt is making good progress in his recovery from an ankle injury suffered last season. The 23-year-old has been getting reps in practice everyday and will resume his role as the starting right tackle once healthy. |
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Should return for training camp
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 9:37 PM
Slater (kneecap) said Wednesday that he should be cleared for training camp, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Analysis: Slater is closer to returning from the knee injury that forced him to miss the entirety of the 2025 campaign. Once healthy, the 27-year-old should resume his role as the team's starting left tackle for the upcoming campaign. |
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Likely returning for training camp
Wed, May 27, 2026, 3:23 PM
Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday that Slater (kneecap) is expected to return for the start of training camp, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The 2021 first-round pick from Northwestern was sidelined for all of last season after sustaining a knee injury in early August. While Slater has yet to return to action, it's an encouraging sign that he's expected to be back for the beginning of training camp in late July. Once fully healthy, Slater will return as the Chargers' top left tackle. |
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Tre' Harris Tre' Harris Looking at expanded role in 2026
Wed, May 27, 2026, 1:36 PM
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that Harris is "clearly" part of the team's top three wide receivers alongside Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston at OTAs, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: With Keenan Allen still unsigned and looking like a poor fit for new OC Mike McDaniel's speed-based offense, Harris appears ticketed for a bigger offensive role in his second season. Harris appeared in all 17 regular-season games as a rookie, making 10 starts, but he logged just 49 percent of the offensive snaps and turned 43 targets into a 30-324-1 receiving line. Allen played 55 percent of the Chargers' offensive snaps but paced the team with 122 targets and 81 catches. Harris will need to fend off fourth-round rookie Brenen Thompson, but Harris certainly has a chance to see significantly more playing time and pass volume in 2026. |
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Extended by Chargers
Tue, May 26, 2026, 7:14 PM
James agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year, $75.6 million contract extension with the Chargers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: James' extension includes $57.5 million guaranteed and an average annual value of $25.2 million, making him the highest-paid safety in league history. The 29-year-old has spent his entire seven-year career with the Chargers and is coming off yet another strong season, in which he racked up 94 tackles (50 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and three interceptions across 16 regular-season games. |
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Heads to Chargers
Thu, May 14, 2026, 6:30 PM
The Chargers signed Morrow on Thursday.
Analysis: Morrow (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) played his final three seasons of college football at Upper Iowa University -- a Division II program. In his final season, he caught 55 passes for 1,007 yards (18.3 YPC) and 12 touchdowns. Coming from a small school, Morrow has plenty to prove over the summer. |
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Reverts to Chargers' IR
Wed, May 13, 2026, 7:01 PM
Wilson (undisclosed) reverted from waivers to the Chargers' injured reserve list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: It's not totally clear what kind of injury Wilson is dealing with, but he's now on track to spend the whole 2026 season on IR unless he negotiates an injury settlement with the team. Although he's certainly slight of build, the rookie undrafted free agent demonstrated intriguing ball skills at Houston and Florida State, recording seven interceptions over his last two college seasons. |
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Signs with LA
Mon, May 11, 2026, 5:06 PM
The Chargers signed Pascuzzi as an undrafted free agent Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Pascuzzi spent three years at Iowa before transferring to Tulane for the 2025 season. The tight end totaled 12 receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown over 14 games with the Green Wave. The 21-year-old clearly impressed at the Chargers' rookie minicamp and will have his shot to compete for a 2026 roster spot this offseason. |
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Oronde Gadsden Oronde Gadsden Joined by Njoku
Mon, May 11, 2026, 9:19 AM
Gadsden faces increased competition for snaps and targets in 2026 after free agent David Njoku agreed to a one-year deal with the Chargers on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Gadsden broke out as a rookie fifth-round pick last season, totaling a 49-664-3 receiving line over 15 regular-season games at just 22 years old. While Gadsden remains primed to take a step forward in his development in Year 2, Los Angeles inked blocking specialist Charlie Kolar to a three-year deal at the outset of free agency, and Njoku's arrival now makes for a crowded TE room. Gadsden, a 6-foot-5, 236-pound converted wide receiver, boasts a similar frame and skill set to Njoku, a nine-year veteran and off-the-charts athlete who totaled a career-high 81-882-6 receiving line in 2023 but struggled with injuries over the last two seasons and was overtaken by rookie Harold Fannin with the Browns in 2025. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel relied heavily on multi-TE sets during his four-year stint with the Dolphins, and the Chargers have little proven production at WR behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, so a path exists for both Gadsden and Njoku to operate as top targets for QB Justin Herbert. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Lands one-year deal with Chargers
Mon, May 11, 2026, 8:10 AM
Njoku agreed Monday with the Chargers on a one-year deal worth up to $8 million, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: One of the top free agents left on the board, Njoku will continue his career on the West Coast following a nine-year stay in Cleveland. Since submitting a career-best 81-882-6 receiving line in 2023, Njoku has seen his production dip over the past two seasons while missing 11 total games to injury, but he won't turn 30 years old until July and still profiles as an above-average pass-catching talent at tight end. However, after seeing his target counts drop in the second half of the 2025 season while rookie Harold Fannin emerged as a focal point in the Cleveland passing attack, Njoku will face competition for reps from another impressive young tight end in Oronde Gadsden as he moves on to Los Angeles. Njoku will at least benefit from a major upgrade in quarterback play with the Justin Herbert-led Chargers offense, and there could still be room for both Gadsden and Njoku to earn meaningful volume in the passing game in light of the lack of established depth at wide receiver behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Fifth-year option exercised
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 3:20 PM
The Chargers exercised Johnston's fifth-year option for the 2027 season Tuesday.
Analysis: The No. 21 overall pick in the 2023 Draft, Johnston has gotten his career on track after what was a subpar rookie season. Across 29 regular-season games over the past two seasons, Johnston has secured 106 of 175 targets for 1,446 yards and 16 touchdowns as Justin Herbert's top downfield perimeter wideout. Johnston has improved his yards-per-catch average every season and finished 21st in the NFL at 14.4 yards per reception during the 2025 campaign. With Keenan Allen still unsigned, there's room for Johnston's role to grow this upcoming season. |
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Tre' Harris Tre' Harris Receiver room competition
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 1:13 PM
Harris could have competition within the wide receiver room after the Chargers selected Brenen Thompson 105th overall during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Analysis: New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel reportedly had significant interest in Thompson because of his blazing 4.26 40-yard dash, reminiscent of the wide receiver archetype he valued as a head coach in Miami. It's hard to tell if the Chargers will have designated plays for Thompson, or if that role will feature Harris, the 2025 second-round pick who made his bones at the collegiate level as a RPO specialist. Harris' rookie year was relatively mundane (30-324-1) despite playing all 17 regular-season games, but with Keenan Allen potentially no longer on the roster, there's overall more opportunities available in Los Angeles in what figures to be a more pass-happy scheme come 2026. |
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Signs with Chargers
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 3:43 PM
The Chargers signed Svoboda as an undrafted free Saturday.
Analysis: Svoboda was originally a quarterback Wyoming before switching over to tight end in 2025. He caught 11 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown during the 2025 campaign. Svoboda was one of two tight ends the team added as undrafted free agents alongside Jerand Bradley. |
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