Los Angeles Chargers 2025 Outlook
Welcome back to our 2025 NFL Team Preview Series, where we’ll dive deep into all 32 franchises ahead of the upcoming season. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a fantasy football manager, or just looking to get up to speed before kickoff, this series breaks down everything you need to know about each team’s trajectory.
For every team, we’ll cover:
- Coaching Staff & Philosophy – Who’s leading the charge, and what kind of system are they running?
- Offseason Recap – Key free-agent moves, trades, and draft picks that reshaped the roster.
- Schedule Breakdown – Matchups to watch, tough stretches, and projected win-loss record.
From Super Bowl contenders to rebuilding rosters, we’ll assess where each team stands and what lies ahead in 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers
Coaching Staff & Philosophy: A New Era of Toughness
The Los Angeles Chargers are entering their second season under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, and the identity of the team is now firmly established. After a transitional first year, Harbaugh’s signature brand of physical, disciplined, and hard-nosed football is now the team’s foundation. This approach, which emphasizes a dominant running game and a stout defence, is a complete pivot from the team’s previous offensive-minded philosophy.
Harbaugh’s staff, led by Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman and Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter, is also building on a year of experience. Roman’s run-heavy schemes will be more refined, and the offence is expected to be more efficient in Year 2. Minter’s defence will continue to prioritize stopping the run and creating pressure, with a returning group of players now fully indoctrinated into his system. The Chargers are a team building on the core principles they established in 2024 and are looking to take another step forward, albeit in a loaded division.
2025 Offseason Recap: Re-shaping the Roster with Harbaugh’s Blueprint
The Chargers’ 2025 offseason was all about re-shaping the roster in Jim Harbaugh’s image, prioritizing toughness and a run-first identity. The team was active in both free agency and the draft to build a team that can execute the new coaching staff’s philosophy.
Key Additions & Re-signings:
- Najee Harris (RB): Signed a one-year, $7 million deal after leaving the Steelers. Harris is a powerful, between-the-tackles runner who fits the new offensive scheme perfectly. He has yet to practice with the team following a fireworks injury that affected his eye, but the severity of the injury is still not known.
- Mekhi Becton (G): A significant acquisition on the offensive line, Becton was signed to a two-year, $16 million deal and is a physically imposing presence who should thrive in a power-blocking scheme.
- Andre James (C): The Chargers brought back their starting center on a new two-year, $10 million deal, providing stability on the offensive line.
- Tyler Conklin (TE): A reliable, veteran tight end, Conklin signed for one year and is a solid blocker and receiver who fits well in a run-heavy scheme.
- Taylor Heinicke (QB) & Trey Lance (QB): Both quarterbacks were signed to compete for the backup job, providing Justin Herbert with experienced players behind him.
- Donte Jackson (CB): A veteran cornerback who provides depth and experience to a secondary that needed it.
- Keenan Allen (WR): Allen returns to LA following an up and down season with the Chicago Bears. The Chargers brought the reliable veteran back on a 1 year, $8.52 million deal.
Notable Departures:
- Joey Bosa (DE): Traded to the Buffalo Bills. This was a massive, cap-saving move that signalled a shift away from high-priced, elite pass-rushers to a more team-oriented defensive philosophy.
- Gus Edwards (RB) & J.K. Dobbins (RB): Dobbins signed with divisional rival Denver Broncos, while Edwards is still not officially signed, leaving the Chargers’ backfield open for new additions.
- Poona Ford (DT): Signed a new deal with the Los Angeles Rams.
- Mike Williams (WR): The veteran wide receiver signed to return to the Chargers in free agency but announced his retirement just before training camp, leaving a significant hole in the receiving corps.
Offseason Summary: The Chargers’ offseason was all about leaning into their new identity. The team made a statement with the departure of high-priced talent like Joey Bosa and the subsequent signings of physical, hard-nosed players on both sides of the ball. The acquisition of Najee Harris and Mekhi Becton and the draft selections of Omarion Hampton clearly reflect Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman’s commitment to a run-heavy offence. The surprise retirement of Mike Williams just before training camp was a curveball, but the team appears confident in its young receiving corps to fill the void, creating an immediate opportunity for the team’s draft picks. The Chargers are not just trying to win; they’re trying to change who they are as a football team.
2025 NFL Draft Class: A Commitment to the Trenches and the Run Game
The Chargers’ 2025 NFL Draft was a clear declaration of their new identity. With their first-round pick, they didn’t take a wide receiver, despite the perceived need, instead opting to double down on the foundation of their new offence.
Here is the full list of the Los Angeles Chargers’ 2025 NFL Draft picks:
- Round 1, Pick 22:Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
- Analysis: The Chargers made a major statement by taking a running back in the first round, signalling a commitment to a physical, run-first offensive identity. Hampton is a powerful, three-down back with explosive playmaking ability.
- Round 2, Pick 55:Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
- Analysis: A big-bodied receiver with reliable hands, Harris gives the Chargers a strong downfield threat and a possession receiver to complement Ladd McConkey and the running game.
- Round 3, Pick 86:Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon
- Analysis: Caldwell addresses the need for interior defensive line reinforcement. He’s a strong run-stopper who will help fortify a defence looking to improve its play in the trenches.
- Round 4, Pick 125:Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
- Analysis: A high-motor pass rusher who was a surprise faller in the draft. Kennard, who won the Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defender, adds valuable depth to the edge rusher room following the trade of Joey Bosa.
- Round 5, Pick 158:KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn
- Analysis: A speedster with the ability to get open downfield, Lambert-Smith is a high-upside developmental pick who provides a vertical threat and competition in the wide receiver room.
- Round 5, Pick 165:Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
- Analysis: A physical tight end with a great catch radius, Gadsden is a strong receiving option who could become a red-zone weapon and a reliable target in the middle of the field.
- Round 6, Pick 199:Branson Taylor, OT, Pittsburgh
- Analysis: Taylor is a high-upside offensive tackle who provides depth to the offensive line. He’s a strong, developmental prospect who could compete for a starting role in the future.
- Round 6, Pick 214:R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson
- Analysis: A versatile safety with good coverage skills and tackling ability, Mickens adds depth to the secondary and is expected to contribute immediately on special teams.
- Round 7, Pick 256:Trikweze Bridges, DB, Florida
- Analysis: A physical defensive back with good size, Bridges provides competition in the cornerback room and has a chance to earn a roster spot as a special teams player.
Key Draft Storyline: The Run Game is the Foundation
In the first round, Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers made one of the most talked-about selections of the draft, taking running back Omarion Hampton. In a league that has devalued the running back position, this pick was a clear statement of intent. Hampton is a powerful, decisive runner who fits perfectly into the run-heavy scheme of new Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman. By taking a running back this high, the Chargers are making it clear that Justin Herbert will no longer be asked to carry the offence on his own. Instead, the team will be built around a physical, punishing ground game.
The decision to draft Hampton also had a ripple effect on the rest of the draft. It created an immediate opportunity for the Chargers to select talented wide receiver Tre Harris in the second round, who is a big-bodied pass catcher who can win contested catches. The subsequent selections of offensive linemen and tight ends further solidify the Chargers’ commitment to controlling the line of scrimmage and building a team that can win in the trenches. This draft was a blueprint for the future, not just an attempt to fill holes.
2025 Schedule Breakdown & Win-Loss Prediction
- Weeks 1-4: The AFC West Gauntlet
- Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (In Brazil)
- Week 2: @. Las Vegas Raiders (MNF)
- Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos
- Week 4: @. New York Giants
Outlook: This is an incredibly difficult start to the season, with three divisional games in the first three weeks including one in Brazil followed by a Monday Night Football Matchup. The team’s progress under Harbaugh will be immediately tested.
Prediction: 2-2
- Weeks 5-8: Mid-Season Challenge
- Week 5: vs. Washington Commanders
- Week 6: @. Miami Dolphins
- Week 7: vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Week 8: vs. Minnesota Vikings (TNF)
Outlook: This stretch features 3 games at home as a reprieve from their tough start to the season, but the opponents don’t get much easier as they face two NFC teams that should be strong playoff contenders in 2025.. This will be a key litmus test for the team’s overall readiness.
Prediction: 2-2 (Overall: 4-4)
- Weeks 9-13: Post-Bye Push
- Week 9: @. Tennessee Titans
- Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 11: @ Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 12: BYE
- Week 13: at Las Vegas Raiders
Outlook: This stretch includes a much-needed bye week after a difficult run of games. This will be a crucial point in the season for the team to regroup and prepare for the final stretch.
Prediction: 3-1 (Overall: 7-5)
- Weeks 14-18: The Final Stretch
- Week 14: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (MNF)
- Week 15: @ Kansas City Chiefs
- Week 16: @ Dallas Cowboys
- Week 17: vs. Houston Texans
- Week 18: @ Denver Broncos
Outlook: This is a brutal finishing stretch, with road games against some of the AFC’s best teams. The final divisional game will likely have major playoff implications.
Prediction: 2-3
Final Record Prediction: 9-8
The Los Angeles Chargers are still a team in transition. The coaching change to Jim Harbaugh and the subsequent shift in offensive philosophy will take time to fully implement. While Justin Herbert and the new additions on offence, particularly Omarion Hampton, provide a ton of talent, the team’s difficult schedule and some key departures on defence will make their first season under Harbaugh a challenging one. A playoff push isn’t out of the question, but the team is likely a year away from being a true contender.
Final Take: The Harbaugh Effect
The Los Angeles Chargers are a team in the midst of a massive philosophical overhaul under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. The changes in coaching staff and roster personnel, particularly the trade of Joey Bosa and the heavy investment in the run game, makes for a team that isn’t afraid to break from tradition to build a new identity. The success of this new era will hinge on how quickly the team can adopt Harbaugh’s physical, run-first mentality.
While Ladd McConkey was a breakout star in 2024, the team is set up to win games differently than the team was slinging passes to Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. The offence, led by Justin Herbert, will no longer be a fantasy-friendly, high-volume passing attack. Instead, it will be a deliberate, methodical unit that grinds down opponents with a formidable running game. This will be a significant challenge for Herbert, who will have to adapt to a lower-volume passing offence, and for the young wide receiver corps, who will have to make the most of their limited opportunities. On defence, the Chargers will be a tough, disciplined unit under Jesse Minter, even without some of their previous star players. The Chargers aren’t a finished product, but they’re a team with a clear, defined identity. While their difficult schedule and the transition to a new system may limit their record in 2025, the team is built to compete in the trenches and lay the groundwork for a more successful future.
-Devon Gallant
Twitter: @DevGallant
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