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

[Velo]

I know it's only a quarter of the way through the season, but I have to tip my cap to Hortiz and the talent evaluators. There are at least 6 guys from this draft alone that have contributed to this team so far and they are playing really well. Alt, Ladd, Colston, Hart, Still, Vidal, and Eboigbe have contributed to the success of the team and are playing really well. Colston hasn't played much but he played well against Denver. Can't wait to watch these guys as they continue to grow.

Agreed. Certainly a solid draft class already, could be a great one down the road. I would add that coaching is a major contributing factor to why these rookies are so solid. This team looks like it is exceptionally well coached, something Chargers fans are not used to.

But not let's not stop with the rookies. How about the free agent acquisitions? None of them were major signings, mostly they were under the radar. But guys like Poona Ford, Elijah Molden, Perryman, Kristian Fulton, Bud Dupree, Teair Tart and of course JK Dobbins.

The first six have been instrumental in a one-year turnaround of the defense that is amazing. DJ Chark remains to be seen (he's apparently battling a groin, which is a different injury [hip] that put him on IR?)

The only underwhelming FA signing that I can think of is Bozeman.

I think Dissly has been what they expected, if not exactly spectacular.

[Velo]

I agree he could. Has Payton ever developed a QB in the NFL? He didn’t develop Drew, I never looked at his experience before becoming NO HC.

Chargers fans got to suffer through Brees' growing pains. NOLA fans got an All Pro ready QB.

[gzubeck]

Agreed. Certainly a solid draft class already, could be a great one down the road. I would add that coaching is a major contributing factor to why these rookies are so solid. This team looks like it is exceptionally well coached, something Chargers fans are not used to.

But not let's not stop with the rookies. How about the free agent acquisitions? None of them were major signings, mostly they were under the radar. But guys like Poona Ford, Elijah Molden, Perryman, Kristian Fulton, Bud Dupree, Teair Tart and of course JK Dobbins.

The first six have been instrumental in a one-year turnaround of the defense that is amazing. DJ Chark remains to be seen (he's apparently battling a groin, which is a different injury [hip] that put him on IR?)

The only underwhelming FA signing that I can think of is Bozeman.

I think Dissly has been what they expected, if not exactly spectacular.

Chark for me...being injured before the first game and not showing up does not look good. Bozeman should be playing better so i don't understand why he's having a hard time.

[Velo]

Chark for me...being injured before the first game and not showing up does not look good. Bozeman should be playing better so i don't understand why he's having a hard time.

Trying to be positive about Chark, but I tend to agree with you, I'm having less and less faith in Chark to show up in any significant way for the Chargers. That is why I keep harping on the need for the Chargers to trade for a qualified veteran WR. DeAndre Hopkins is going to be traded any second now, but I keep reading the Steelers are the front-runners.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Trying to be positive about Chark, but I tend to agree with you, I'm having less and less faith in Chark to show up in any significant way for the Chargers. That is why I keep harping on the need for the Chargers to trade for a qualified veteran WR. DeAndre Hopkins is going to be traded any second now, but I keep reading the Steelers are the front-runners.

I think it would be a nice story to bring Mike back ( for a low trade cost)

[Boltjolt]

I agree he could. Has Payton ever developed a QB in the NFL? He didn’t develop Drew, I never looked at his experience before becoming NO HC.

Peyton was a Asst HC/ QB coach with Dallas prior to being a HC of Nawlins. He absolutely had a hand in developing Brees. It sure wasn't Marty!
But I don't know who the Saints QB coach was either.

Nix looks terrible now but he looked terrible at Auburn too before he transferred to Oregon. Took him a while. He is 24.

[Velo]

I think it would be a nice story to bring Mike back ( for a low trade cost)

At 30 (as of 2 weeks ago), Mike Will is 2 years younger than Hopkins, but Hopkins isn't coming off major knee surgery.

[powderblueboy]

Peyton was a Asst HC/ QB coach with Dallas prior to being a HC of Nawlins. He absolutely had a hand in developing Brees. It sure wasn't Marty!
But I don't know who the Saints QB coach was either.

Nix looks terrible now but he looked terrible at Auburn too before he transferred to Oregon. Took him a while. He is 24.

Brees was a two time pro bowler on the Chargers .... someone must have done something right.

But agree, he stepped it up a few notches at New Orleans.

I see to remember that his arm strength got better after the surgery and that was part of it.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Agreed. Certainly a solid draft class already, could be a great one down the road. I would add that coaching is a major contributing factor to why these rookies are so solid. This team looks like it is exceptionally well coached, something Chargers fans are not used to.(1)

But not let's not stop with the rookies. How about the free agent acquisitions? None of them were major signings, mostly they were under the radar. But guys like Poona Ford, Elijah Molden, Perryman, Kristian Fulton, Bud Dupree, Teair Tart and of course JK Dobbins. (2)

The first six have been instrumental in a one-year turnaround of the defense that is amazing. DJ Chark remains to be seen.

The only underwhelming FA signing that I can think of is Bozeman.

I think Dissly has been what they expected, if not exactly spectacular.

(1) Boy howdy, no kidding!

(2) Molden was actually acquired by trade (for a 2026 7th rounder!) Of the FA signees, Hayden Hurst has been a disappointment, and Bozeman underwhelming, but other than that, only Chark and Gus Edwards have failed to make a positive impression. The rest of the myriad of Hortiz' acquisitions are outperforming expectations.

[Boltjolt]

Brees was a two time pro bowler on the Chargers .... someone must have done something right.

But agree, he stepped it up a few notches at New Orleans.

I see to remember that his arm strength got better after the surgery and that was part of it.

1 time probowler with us....and yes his best years by far were with the Saints

[richpjr]

(1) Boy howdy, no kidding!

(2) Molden was actually acquired by trade (for a 2026 7th rounder!) Of the FA signees, Hayden Hurst has been a disappointment, and Bozeman underwhelming, but other than that, only Chark and Gus Edwards have failed to make a positive impression. The rest of the myriad of Hortiz' acquisitions are outperforming expectations.

I am hopeful that Chark will pan out - we need his deep speed.

[Chargers8491]

Agreed. Certainly a solid draft class already, could be a great one down the road. I would add that coaching is a major contributing factor to why these rookies are so solid. This team looks like it is exceptionally well coached, something Chargers fans are not used to.

But not let's not stop with the rookies. How about the free agent acquisitions? None of them were major signings, mostly they were under the radar. But guys like Poona Ford, Elijah Molden, Perryman, Kristian Fulton, Bud Dupree, Teair Tart and of course JK Dobbins.

The first six have been instrumental in a one-year turnaround of the defense that is amazing. DJ Chark remains to be seen (he's apparently battling a groin, which is a different injury [hip] that put him on IR?)

The only underwhelming FA signing that I can think of is Bozeman.

I think Dissly has been what they expected, if not exactly spectacular.

Funny, I was thinking of the FA's but wanted to focus on the draft class. They have been great as well. You can't expect 100% hit rate for every FA signing but I think 80-90% is damn good and that is roughly were they are at with their FA signings.

Agree with Chark and Dissly. I would say at the beginning of the season Bozeman was underwhelming but he has gotten better. I was very critical of Bozeman early on, but he has improved. I'm hoping that he will continue to improve because we need him to.