The Chargers’ first week of training camp has made one thing clear: not much is settled, and that’s especially true on offense in front of Justin Herbert.
The biggest mess sits on the line, where second-round center Jake Slaughter still hasn’t locked down the job. The Chargers have kept the competition wide open, giving snaps there to swing backup tackle Trey Pipkins, Trevor Penning, free-agent addition Kayode Awosika and rookie Branson Taylor. There may have been others mixed in as well.
Los Angeles wants Slaughter to win the starting role by the regular season, but he hasn’t created much separation yet. That slow start only adds to the concerns some fans already had about using a center to play guard when the team could have simply drafted a guard.
Even with the uncertainty, the battle should help sharpen the group. At this point, though, figuring out who actually wins the spot is far from simple.
Running back has become another spot worth watching. Before Mike McDaniel was hired as offensive coordinator, it was easy to imagine Kimani Vidal holding onto the No. 2 role after the breakout-type stretch he put together last year. But McDaniel’s arrival brought Keaton Mitchell into the picture, and that changes the equation.
Mitchell has had trouble staying healthy in the pros, but his explosiveness gives him a real edge. He can make plays as both a runner and a receiver, which makes him a strong candidate to grab the backup job even if Vidal has more time in the system.
That’s a pretty nice problem for the Chargers to have. The running back room looks deeper than it has in a while.
On defense, one spot next to Elijah Molden is still unsettled if Derwin James is listed as the nickel, which is how the Chargers view him. Tony Jefferson is the easy name to point to, especially given his play and popularity with fans, but the job is not his yet.
RJ Mickens is very much in the hunt after the Chargers found something in the sixth-round pick last year. Another year in the program could be enough for him to take another step and win the role.
Fourth-round rookie Genesis Smith is also in the mix. His athletic profile jumps off the page, and if he comes along quickly, he has the kind of traits that can put him in the starting conversation.
Mickens has been rotating with the first team so far in camp, and all three of those defenders should keep getting chances. The scheme gives the Chargers room to use them in different ways, but after James and Molden, nothing on the depth chart is locked in.
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Chargers Rookie Already Facing Pressure In A Crucial Week 1 Battle
The Chargers entered camp with the kind of interior line questions that tend to linger until the pads come on and the pecking order starts to settle. Jake Slaughter, the rookie offensive lineman they drafted, has been talked about as a possible answer at guard, and coaches have sounded upbeat about his chances to make that transition and potentially push for a Week 1 role.
For now, though, the picture is not as clean as the optimism around him. Slaughter is spending time at center as well as guard, and there is already outside skepticism about whether he can claim an immediate starting job in time. With other options in the mix, the real test for the rookie is not just learning one spot, but proving he can force his way into the first-team conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Herbert May Finally Get What The Chargers Offense Has Lacked
Justin Herberts offseason has already looked different in one important way, with the Chargers quarterback stepping into a new chapter off the field after getting engaged to singer Madison Beer. Herbert has called it a life-changing experience, and while that obviously has nothing to do with protections or route concepts, it does speak to a player who seems settled as he heads into a crucial stretch of his career. The timing also matters for a Chargers offense that has spent too much time asking Herbert to do heavy lifting on his own.
Now hes pairing with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, whose approach is built around quicker throws and taking pressure off the quarterback. McDaniels previous offenses in Miami did that well, ranking near the top of the league in limiting quarterback pressure while also generating efficient production on a play-by-play basis. For a team hoping Herbert can be more protected and the offense more sustainable, that philosophy is the kind of change the Chargers have been waiting for. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Tight End Overhaul Could Become A Real Weapon For Justin Herbert
The Chargers spent the offseason reworking the tight end room in a way that could change how Justin Herbert is supported on Sundays. They brought in Charlie Kolar and David Njoku, then added Oronde Gadsden II in the draft after Pro Football Focus analysts ranked him 23rd among tight ends. Gadsden arrives with a promising rookie rsum, including 664 receiving yards and 49 catches, while Kolar was brought in to help shore up the blocking side of the position.
Mike McDaniels arrival as offensive coordinator gives the overhaul a clearer purpose, since the Chargers clearly want to lean into the different things each tight end can do. If the group settles in quickly, Herbert could have a more varied set of options than he has had in recent seasons, with pass-catching ability and in-line help both available in the same room. The only real question now is how much of that new structure turns into a consistent weekly advantage once the games start. [Read more 🡒]