Official 2025 Chargers Discussion | 2025 Roster Build | In-Season

[jaguarmanftype]

With very few exceptions, most QB follow a similar path to what has happened to JH in the playoffs.

Teams like ours have flaws as they are built, and JH didn't have the best supporting cast. The better teams wins in the playoffs, because even though JH is a great QB, the other team has a QB too.

But guys like Peyton Manning had this sort of rap too, so I don't take it serious. Brady even had a couple year down turn where many people on a previous incarnation of this board said was completely done and would never do anything meaningful again. He got a few more rings and a 17-0 season after that.

That being said, I am sick of the narrative too.

I don't know about most QBs, to be honest. In today's league, the game is sped up and success must come early for a QB. When Manning played, QB contracts weren't as bloated and didn't mortgage your entire franchise for years. Nowadays, QBs get extended early and often causing huge cap constraints. Not to mention, the league in Manning's time was still reliant on a solid ground game and great defenses, and that afforded Manning time to come into his own. Today, no one will give such a long leash for a QB unless you're the buffoon Cowboys run by Jerry Jones. Same can be said for the Lions, who are unlikely to win the big one with Jared Goff, or the Buccaneers who'll do just barely enough to make the playoffs starting Baker Mayfield. These QB decisions make or break the success of your franchise for a long time.

I'll give Herbert some benefit of the doubt, however, since his supporting cast has been mostly atrocious throughout the years, whether that's coaching or players. At least, with Manning, there wasn't so much of an excuse as he had a strong supporting cast relatively early in his career, and he still had trouble getting over the hump. And Brady, well, he isn't a good example in this regard, as he won the SB in his first full year starting, and then won 2 more 2 years later and made the Patriots a dynasty. He was afforded to have down years, because he had so much postseason success early in his career.

[Heatmiser]

Heineke played a bit against one team last year, when Herbert was injured, and he did nothing.

He played against the Steelers when they were palying from behind. On the road. And Slater got injured and was out when he came in the game. And at that point, Heinike had been on the team for 3-4 weeks. In summary, I don't look at that as much of a representative sample.

TG

[CanadianBoltFan]

He's definitely a top 10 QB (more like top 5), but the clutch factor he had as a rookie has diminished with the coaching carousel he's had to play through, but that's my opinion. For me, it's a make-or-break year for him. He has to overcome the schedule and get into the AFC Championship game for him to be redeemed, otherwise, he'll just be another talented, borderline elite regular season QB who can't win in the playoffs.

What I'm really finding interesting is Harbaugh is setting up a similar dynamic as compared to the 2012 49ers. If Herbert goes down for any length of the season, we may have some type of QB controversy potentially with him and Trey Lance just like Alex Smith had with Kaepernick. It's an eerily similar dynamic where you have an accurate pocket passer versus a dual threat QB. In 2012, I would have never imagined that Alex Smith wouldn't come back to start and that Kaepernick who was an absolute question mark (just like Lance) would take over and lead them to the Superbowl.

well the narrative doesnt have him top 5 and some not top 10. THAT is what i am talking about, the national narrative, not if we here agree he needs to win a clutch game

[Velo]

Is anyone else fucking sick of the league wide narrative and bashing of Justin Herbert because he has lost a whopping 2 playoff games?

Enough already.

I'm not, It should be motivating Herbert to crush the doubters.

He'd probably be balancing beer cans on his belly button all summer long like Kermit the Chief if he had that type of press.

I'll post this vid here. It's about Hampton playing tomorrow night, but Chris Simms is bullish on Herbert and the Chargers in general.

Chargers first-round pick Omarion Hampton to make debut in HOF game | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC

[CanadianBoltFan]

Yes. I get the harsh reality that until he wins a playoff game, he'll be roasted but compare the talent and coaching Mahomes has had vs what Herbert has had in his career. The horrible Texan playoff game amplified it - but even Mahomes crumbled under relentless pressure in the SB.

If Herbert can't win one under Harbaugh and Hortiz's tenure, then it will be justified. Up until now, the only reason the Chargers have won as many games as they have is because he has carried the team.

Mahomes has had 7 very stable years with the best playcaller in football, Andy Reid. Herbert has has 3 head coaches and 4 OCs in 5 years. Hmmm which environment is better for a QB?

[jaguarmanftype]

well the narrative doesnt have him top 5 and some not top 10. THAT is what i am talking about, the national narrative, not if we here agree he needs to win a clutch game

I don't know anyone noteworthy who doesn't at least have him as a top 10 QB. Lowest ranking I saw for him was 8th or 9th best QB, which is debatable.

[CivilBolt]

I'll post this vid here. It's about Hampton playing tomorrow night, but Chris Simms is bullish on Herbert and the Chargers in general.

Chargers first-round pick Omarion Hampton to make debut in HOF game | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC

I agree. Did the Chargers passed on him or something? Feels like the Chargers did him wrong at some point that’s why he acts this way. Or is it just like Acho that does it because this narrative sells

[Rugger05]

Chargers offense looks sloppy in final practice before Hall of Fame Game


By Daniel Popper
July 29, 2025Updated 6:22 pm MST
7

---

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers held their final practice Tuesday before they head to Canton, Ohio, for the Hall of Fame Game, and it was an ugly day for the offense.

The pass catchers combined for six drops in the unpadded practice. Tight end Tyler Conklin had two. Rookie receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith dropped a pass from quarterback Trey Lance on a dig route. The ball went through Lambert-Smith’s hands and was intercepted by rookie cornerback Trikweze Bridges. Tight end Will Dissly had a third-down drop. Tight end Oronde Gadsden II was unable to handle a low throw from quarterback Taylor Heinicke on an out route. On the final play of practice, rookie receiver Dalevon Campbell was open in the end zone on a go route on a third-and-long. He dropped the throw from Lance.

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In the first period of 11-on-11, receiver Quentin Johnston was coming open on a post route. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw his way, but Johnston had slowed his route. When Johnston located Herbert’s throw in the air, he sped up again. But it was too late, and the pass fell incomplete.

Earlier in practice, Johnston was open on a comeback route to the left side. Herbert’s throw was high. Herbert and center Bradley Bozeman also fumbled a snap from under center. On his third snap of practice, Herbert was nearly picked off by linebacker Denzel Perryman.

Later in 11-on-11, rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei dropped back off play action. He started his throwing motion before trying to pull the ball back. As he did, the ball slipped out of his hand. It could have been ruled a fumble.

Just a sloppy day from start to finish.

Most of the starters will have to wait until Saturday for their next chance on the field. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday that “veteran traditional starters aren’t going to be playing” in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night against the Detroit Lions. He mentioned several starters specifically: Herbert, Johnston, Perryman, receiver Ladd McConkey, left tackle Rashawn Slater, right tackle Joe Alt, right guard Mekhi Becton, safeties Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman and Elijah Molden, edge rusher Khalil Mack, linebacker Daiyan Henley, cornerbacks Tarheeb Still, Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste and defensive lineman Teair Tart.

The Chargers will be back at practice at The Bolt on Saturday.

Lance will start Thursday’s game at quarterback, according to Harbaugh. Lance is expected to play the first half and one drive of the third quarter before being replaced by Uiagalelei. Heinicke will serve as the “emergency quarterback for four quarters in case stuff happens,” Harbaugh said.

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“I just want to give Trey Lance game experience,” Harbaugh said. “I look at his career, even college — not as much (game experience) as most guys. Then he got into the NFL, got nicked up a little bit and just hasn’t been out there for the game experience enough. A talented player who’s playing very well in practice. Now going out into the game, and that’s the piece that says the most.”



Rookies Omarion Hampton, Tre’ Harris and Lambert-Smith are expected to play in the game, Harbaugh said.

Zion Johnson will start at center and play “a couple drives,” according to Harbaugh.

“Excited to see him in the game,” Harbaugh said of Johnson. “Those are really valuable opportunities.” News and notes


• Slater was back in team drills Tuesday after returning to individual drills Monday. Slater, who signed a four-year contract extension Sunday, had missed a week of practice from July 19 to 26. Slater said earlier this week that he sat out of practice because he was managing a blister on his right foot. The first-team offensive for Tuesday’s practice: LT Slater, LG Johnson, C Bozeman, RT Alt and RG Jamaree Salyer. Becton, the Chargers’ starting right guard, did not practice Tuesday. Trey Pipkins III got some work at right guard with the first team and also played left tackle with the second team. Johnson also worked at center with the second team.
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• Molden was in team drills for the first time this camp. Molden, who had offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, played safety with the first team next to Gilman while James was at nickel. The Chargers traded for Molden last summer. He had a very productive season in 2024, and the Chargers re-signed him on a three-year deal this offseason. “He’s done a really good job of being very meticulous in getting his body back to where it needs to be,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said.

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The Chargers started training camp early because of the Hall of Fame Game, and that allowed them to bring Molden along slowly through the first 10 practices. “We’ve been able to really work him to make sure when we cut him loose that he’s prepared for that,” Minter said.

• Other Chargers who did not practice: McConkey, cornerback Cam Hart, defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe, receiver Jalen Reagor, tight end McCallan Castles, receiver Luke Grimm and safety Jaylen Jones. Harbaugh said McConkey is dealing with a “minor” injury.

• Still participated in individual drills but not in team drills. Still has not practiced fully since Thursday. The Chargers have dealt with a bit of revolving door at cornerback so far in camp. St-Juste has not been in team drills since Day 5. Jackson missed Day 6 and left early on Day 9. Still has been out of team drills for four practices, and Hart missed his first practice today. As a result, the competition in this group still feels pretty unsettled.

“It’s the nature, and it’s why you need so many guys at that position,” Minter said. “It’s honestly a great opportunity for the other guys to get more reps. I don’t know exactly where we’re at in that room right now because we don’t play a real game yet, and so there is time. It’s just a matter of trying to get everybody through whatever they’re working through and get them out there and let that competition continue to go through the rest of camp.”

Ja’Sir Taylor and Jackson were at outside cornerback when James was nickel in Tuesday’s practice. Taylor was in a tight coverage on two deep passes, one to receiver Derius Davis and one to receiver JaQuae Jackson. Both throws fell incomplete. Jackson, meanwhile, had two pass breakups, one on a comeback route to Campbell and one on an underneath route to Davis.

• Harbaugh said there is still “no timeline” on running back Najee Harris’ return to practice. Harris, is on the non-football injury list after injuring his eye in a fireworks accident, has not practiced so far in camp.

[dmac_bolt]

He played against the Steelers when they were palying from behind. On the road. And Slater got injured and was out when he came in the game. And at that point, Heinike had been on the team for 3-4 weeks. In summary, I don't look at that as much of a representative sample.

TG

I took more away from his PS games that he played in. My eval of his entire body of work was ho-hum, nothing notable or identifiably good. jmo, you're free to feel otherwise. I think Lance has much more upside and I don't agree with the theory that QB2 is only about floor. In a lovely world, QB2 can win a game for ya, that is the goal- that is the target. Its not to just have a guy who can take enough snaps to run out the clock with a L.

I think Lance is odds-on to win QB2. just a hunch based on limited reports from camp.

[dmac_bolt]

Fun facts

Kermit lost his first playoff game
Kermit lost his third playoff game

Harshing Herbie for his first 2 is what media does, a wise person knows it doesn't yet prove anything either way.

[jaguarmanftype]

I took more away from his PS games that he played in. My eval of his entire body of work was ho-hum, nothing notable or identifiably good. jmo, you're free to feel otherwise. I think Lance has much more upside and I don't agree with the theory that QB2 is only about floor. In a lovely world, QB2 can win a game for ya, that is the goal- that is the target. Its not to just have a guy who can take enough snaps to run out the clock with a L.

I think Lance is odds-on to win QB2. just a hunch based on limited reports from camp.

Based on Greg Roman's preferences, I'd say he's odds-on to be QB2 as well. To your point about QB2 winning games, I remember a certain Billy Volek doing that for us in a game that really mattered. Hell, you could consider Kaepernick in 2012 as QB2 before Alex Smith got banged up. And we can't forget a certain Nick Foles going all the way in 2017 against better teams, arguably.

[Riverwalk]

Mahomes has had 7 very stable years with the best playcaller in football, Andy Reid. Herbert has has 3 head coaches and 4 OCs in 5 years. Hmmm which environment is better for a QB?

That’s an excuse national media will never buy.

QB’s that have to rely on their coaches to win become the Trent Dilfers of history. Even though he won a SB, he’s regarded as a mediocre QB.