ESPN’s Ben Solak didn’t mince words when he slotted the Los Angeles Chargers as the NFL’s eighth least watchable team heading into 2025. In his breakdown, Solak balanced appreciation for the Bolts’ discipline with some skepticism about their entertainment value.
“I fear the watchability of the Chargers, as the actual quality of this team was greatly hurt by the seasonlong loss of Rashawn Slater,” Solak wrote. “The Chargers are at their most watchable when Justin Herbert is not being lampooned by his own teammates, and with a key weakness at tackle now that Trey Pipkins III is back in the starting lineup, it certainly feels like we’re in for another ‘watching-between-my-fingers-over-my-face’ sort of season.”
He continued, pointing to the defense:
“This isn’t a high blitz team or a high takeaway team. The bend-but-don’t-break philosophy works well on the field, and as a scheme nerd, I have an enormous appreciation for the discipline of Jesse Minter’s unit. But it’s not built for fireworks.”
It’s not exactly the kind of label fans want, but there’s a deeper question here: is being “unwatchable” actually a problem for the Chargers right now?
A New Chargers Identity Under Harbaugh
Do You Have Big Kicker Energy?
When Jim Harbaugh arrived last season, the mission wasn’t to build the most entertaining product. It was to build a winner. By that measure, year one was a success. The Chargers returned to the playoffs, developed a stingy defense, and embraced a run-first identity under offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
That approach naturally muted Justin Herbert’s highlight reel. Fewer deep shots, more grinding drives. Fewer fourth-quarter shootouts, more field-position battles. From a television standpoint, that might look bland. From a football standpoint, it was a recalibration the franchise needed after years of collapsing in critical moments.
The Return of Rashawn Slater
Solak’s concern about Herbert’s protection highlights a bigger story: Rashawn Slater’s massive new contract. The Chargers made the 26-year-old Pro Bowler the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history this offseason, securing his blindside protection through 2029.
Slater’s presence not only stabilizes Herbert’s pocket but also raises the ceiling of the offense. Without him in 2022, Herbert was under siege. With him healthy in 2023 and 2024, the Chargers rebuilt the foundation of a competent attack. If Slater stays upright, the “watch-through-your-fingers” vibe Solak alluded to may not hold.
Keenan Allen’s Homecoming
The offseason also brought an unexpected reunion: Keenan Allen back in powder blue. The franchise icon returns after a one-year detour in Chicago, slotting in alongside emerging star Ladd McConkey.
Allen’s not the explosive playmaker he once was, but he still commands attention with precision route running. Pairing him with McConkey gives Herbert two trustworthy targets — and gives the Chargers a little more “watchability” than critics expect.
Chargers Defense: Effective, Not Flashy
If there’s one place where Solak’s point is hard to argue, it’s the defense. Jesse Minter’s scheme is built on sound positioning, not chaos. The Chargers don’t blitz often, they don’t pile up turnovers, and they don’t generate the kind of viral highlights that make fans jump off their couches.
But boring defense isn’t necessarily bad defense. Last year, Los Angeles finished first in the NFL in scoring defense (17.7 points per game allowed). If the Chargers win games 20-17, the style points won’t matter much inside the locker room.
A Loaded Division, A Bigger Question
Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz know the AFC West isn’t about being watchable — it’s about surviving. Every other coach in the division owns a Super Bowl ring. The Chargers don’t.
To close that gap, Los Angeles invested in depth and stability. Veteran pass rusher Bud Dupree re-signed to reinforce the edge. Mekhi Becton and Andre James were added to toughen the interior line. First-round pick Omarion Hampton joins Najee Harris in a retooled backfield built to wear down opponents.
This isn’t a fireworks show. It’s a program designed to grind through the gauntlet.
So, Is Watchability Overrated?
For the casual fan, maybe Solak is right — the Chargers might not be must-see TV unless Herbert is scrambling in the fourth quarter. But for their own fan base, and for a franchise trying to climb out of decades of near-misses, a little “boring” football could be exactly what’s needed.
The Chargers may not always light up the highlight reels, but they’re building something more important: stability, toughness, and a path forward under Harbaugh. And in the NFL, winning ugly beats losing pretty every time.
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