LOS ANGELES, California — The Los Angeles Chargers enter the 2025 NFL season fully charged, led by star quarterback Justin Herbert and emboldened under head coach Jim Harbaugh in his second year at the helm. Though expectations are cautiously optimistic, key additions like rookie running back Omarion Hampton and wide receiver Ladd McConkey promise to reshape the offense.
Justin Herbert: Steady at the Helm
As one of the league’s elite quarterbacks, Herbert continues to anchor the Chargers. His arm strength, vision, and composure provide a clear advantage. After a strong finish in 2024, the pressure is on his second-year coach to deliver playoff results.
Harbaugh’s Second Season: Expectations Grow
Harbaugh led the Chargers to an 11-6 finish and a playoff run in his debut season. His system took hold late—now, consistency is the goal. With the coaching staff settled and players buying in, the bar has been raised for meaningful postseason advancement.
Rookie Spotlight: Omarion Hampton Adds Muscle
With the No. 22 pick from North Carolina, running back Omarion Hampton brings power, agility, and receiving versatility. Paired with veteran Najee Harris (assuming health), the Chargers finally have a multidimensional running attack to complement Herbert’s passing game.
Offense: Passing Game in Transition
The passing game is evolving. Keenan Allen returns to L.A. after a one-year stint in Chicago, bringing steadfast reliability and veteran savvy. But the passing attack is truly shifting toward its rising star.
Ladd McConkey, entering his second season, stands poised to lead the aerial assault. His crisp route running and knack for separation gave Herbert his most consistent target in 2024. With Allen back, McConkey now carries the mantle as the offense’s focal point.
After McConkey and Allen, the Chargers’ receiving options are far less proven. Quentin Johnston, a 2023 first-round pick, remains a developmental piece who has yet to fully break out but will be counted on for bigger contributions. Derius Davis adds speed and return ability, though his role as a consistent target is still uncertain. Veteran depth pieces and practice-squad hopefuls round out the unit, leaving Los Angeles thin if injuries strike.
The offensive line faces a major blow, too—starting left tackle Rashawn Slater is out for the season after tearing his patellar tendon in training camp. Rookie Joe Alt has been shifted to the blindside, with Trey Pipkins III slotting in at right tackle. The Chargers also signed veteran David Sharpe to reinforce depth, but protecting Herbert will remain a weekly concern.
Defense: Harbaugh’s Foundation with Star Power
Defense is where Jim Harbaugh’s identity shines most, and the Chargers boast two headliners in Khalil Mack and Derwin James.
Mack, entering his age-34 season, remains a force off the edge. Despite his mileage, he’s coming off another double-digit sack campaign and continues to set the tone with leadership and relentless effort. With Joey Bosa gone, Mack’s presence looms even larger as both a playmaker and mentor to younger pass rushers.
In the secondary, Derwin James is still the heartbeat. The versatile safety impacts every level of the defense — dropping into coverage, blitzing off the edge, and providing physicality in run support. When James is healthy, the Chargers’ defense is noticeably sharper and more aggressive. His ability to erase mismatches against tight ends and slot receivers remains one of L.A.’s biggest defensive advantages.
The front seven around Mack looks solid, with depth pieces stepping into bigger roles. Rookie R.J. Mickens bolsters the secondary, and the overall unit projects as one of the stingiest in the AFC if health holds. The combination of Mack’s pass rush and James’ versatility gives Harbaugh two proven stars to build the entire defensive scheme around.
Outlook & Win-Total Projection
Expectations are tempered. Most projection models slot the Chargers at 8–10 wins, with playoff chances hovering but contingent on health and execution.
- Pro Football Focus projects around 9.2 wins.
- The Athletic sees 8.5 wins and roughly a 40% chance of postseason play.
- Winning the AFC West remains a tall task behind Kansas City and Denver.
AFC West: Tough Division, Tighter Margin
The Chiefs remain favorites, but this is the year to close the gap. The Chargers need division wins, favorable health, and big offensive breakthroughs from McConkey and Hampton to crack the top.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Week 1 vs. Kansas City in São Paulo – a high-stakes, globe-spanning season opener.
- Week 2 at Las Vegas – early division test.
- Week 3 vs. Denver – rivalry impacts standings.
- Week 8 vs. Minnesota (Thursday night) – national showcase.
- Week 14 vs. Philadelphia (Monday night) – a true litmus test.
- Late stretch (Weeks 14–17) – includes Kansas City, Dallas, and others; may decide playoff fate.
Bottom Line
The 2025 Chargers are at a crossroads. With Herbert operating behind a retooled O-line, McConkey emerging as the passing leader, Allen returning as a steadying force, and defensive stars Mack and James anchoring Harbaugh’s scheme, they have potential. But the loss of Rashawn Slater and receiver depth raise concerns.
If the passing game adapts quickly and the defense sustains, 9–10 wins and a playoff spot feel within reach. Winning the AFC West? Still an uphill battle—but not impossible.
Herbert has the pieces. Now, can they perform under pressure? Only the season’s early tests will tell.
