The Los Angeles Chargers are banking on a return to their physical, play-action-heavy offensive identity in 2025—but to make that happen, they’re placing a massive bet on two rookies.
As ESPN’s Ben Solak put it on the NFL Daily podcast, “The Chargers had to get away from their offensive identity last year, in part because they knew their interior offensive line and running back room just weren’t ready to execute what they want to be as a team.”
That could change in a hurry.
With the additions of left tackle Mekhi Becton and first-round pick Omarian Hampton at running back, the Chargers seem poised to get back to the power-run roots new head coach Jim Harbaugh thrives on. That means building everything off the ground game: setting up play-action, throwing deep, and letting Justin Herbert operate in a more efficient, structured environment.
Chargers Lean Into Identity Through The 2025 Draft
“For Justin Herbert, that means a lot of play-action, a lot of deep shots,” Solak said. “And if Tre Harris becomes the player they drafted him to be, and Ladd McConkey can handle the underneath quick-game work, the offense should take a meaningful step forward.”
The potential is there. But so is the risk.
“The two baskets holding the most eggs right now are a first-round rookie running back in Hampton and a second-round rookie wide receiver in Harris,” Solak added. “So there’s still a lot of hope riding on those two guys.”
It’s a bold plan—shifting the offensive burden to a pair of NFL newcomers. But if Hampton and Harris can deliver early, the Chargers may finally have the identity and explosiveness they lacked in 2024. If not, Harbaugh’s first year could be a rough ride.
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