NFL Notebook: 2025 Los Angeles Chargers Preview

The Chargers comfortably made the playoffs last year, rolling to an 11-6 record in the first year under Jim Harbaugh. While a postseason flameout in Houston was a disappointment, Los Angeles restored the optimism that had existed a couple of years ago, prior to the collapse of 2023. Now, the question is trying to sustain and build on that positive momentum in a ruthlessly competitive AFC West.

DEFENSE SETS THE TONE

No defense in the NFL was tougher to score on last year than the Charger unit. Coordinator Jesse Minter oversaw a defense that was consistent and sound. Los Angeles was strong up the middle, with nose tackle Teair Tart getting high-level grades from Pro Football Focus and Daryl Henley being a steadying force at inside linebacker. The front seven was also tough on the edge, with Tuli Tuipuloto getting 8 ½ sacks. And while the great veteran, Khalil Mack, might not be the pass rusher he once was on the other edge, he’s replaced that with fundamental savvy and grading out as a top-five player at his position.

This defense took steps to improve by signing Donte Jackson to play corner. Jackson will join Tarheeb Still in giving Minter two excellent corners to work with. Derwin James Jr. is another elite talent at strong safety.

When you play defense like this, you’re never out of a game. There’s every reason to expect more of the same from Los Angeles.

THE HARBAUGH WAY

Jim Harbaugh has built on his teams on a physical running game, from Michigan, to the San Francisco 49ers and reaching all the way back to his time coaching Andrew Luck’s Stanford teams. It was no different here with the Chargers, but the running attack will go through some transition, as lead back J.K. Dobbins bolted for AFC West rival Denver in free agency.

Los Angeles responded by using their first-round draft pick on North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton. The Chargers then got veteran help in signing Najee Harris, a 1,000-yard rusher in Pittsburgh last season. Whoever gets the football will run behind an offensive line that is reasonably steady and was bolstered in free agency by the pickup of guard Mekhi Becton. It’s also reasonable to expect Joe Alt, coming off a good rookie year at left tackle, to be even better this year.

HERBERT STARTS TO FLOURISH

The benefit of a power running game and a tough defense allowed Justin Herbert to play it safe, and the quarterback thrived. He threw just three interceptions on the year and his 0.6% interception rate was the best among starting QBs. The arrival of rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey seemed just what Herbert needed, as McConkey caught 82 passes for over 1,100 yards.

Los Angeles got Herbert some more help by bringing back Keenan Allen. The Chargers had seen Allen walk to Chicago in free agency last year. A season with the Bears apparently had Allen longing for home, so he came back to the franchise he caught 108 passes for as recently as 2023.

OUTLOOK

The Chargers have no real weaknesses. The question is, how much of an upside do they have? In a lot of divisions, that wouldn’t matter. When you’re trying to catch Kansas City, while looking at Denver coming up in your rearview mirror, it matters a lot. Betting markets place the Over/Under at 9.5. I’d definitely go over and say L.A. will at least win 10-11 games like they did a year ago. It’s whether they can jump all the way to elite status that has to be decided between now and our final preseason picks next week.