Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | 2nd Wave Of Free Agency

[Velo]

I'm seeing that fan turnout was really strong today....Harbaugh has energized fans, maybe they'll start showing up to games when the Chargers start winning.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Here's an article that focuses on Cam Hart's day at camp.

Chargers rookie Cam Hart dominates first day of training camp (msn.com)

[Formula 21]

The first-team offensive line remained the same as it was to end the spring: left tackle Rashawn Slater, left guard Zion Johnson, center Bradley Bozeman, right guard Trey Pipkins III, right tackle Joe Alt. The second-team offensive line started as left tackle Foster Sarell, left guard Jordan McFadden, center Brenden Jaimes, right guard Jamaree Salyer and right tackle Alex Leatherwood. Salyer kicked out to right tackle with Leatherwood moving into right guard later in practice.

[Formula 21]

That’s what I’ve been saying. McFadden blocks well on the run. He’s gonna be our jumbo blocking TE.

• The Chargers were moving McFadden around often on offense. He was in with the second team at left guard. But he also got snaps with the first team as a jumbo tight end and in the backfield as a fullback. McFadden even went in motion on one snap. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman will be looking for creative ways to use his blockers in the run game. McFadden is a really athletic lineman. He was used as a fullback at times in last year’s offense.

[dmac_bolt]

Which part isn't hype here?

Two comments somewhat noteworthy is Harbaugh watching his footage from training camp, and hinting that Johnson needed to get stronger - which he seems to have accomplished.

I recommend folks take Harbaugh's words as he gives them, not try to parse fragments of sentences to look for hidden secret messages. Harbaugh isn't sending hidden secret messages - jmo. Every player has something he can improve on, Harbaugh's big picture take on both how he sees Q and how he sees the media's portrayal of Q are really really really clear. He was very polite in his feedback on media treatment of the kid, but his message was clear. The Media can eat a bag of dicks is what he said there.

I think Q has worked his ass off this off-season, he learned a shit load about not being ready for prime time, he's got unique athletic traits not common in a locker room, much less the street, he's a really good young man from a really good family - I'm pulling hard for him. And I'm still betting the over that I am right.

but my bet isn't crazy. Closer to the box of tacos level, one of my favorite bets as everyone knows. I'm not betting my house

To squeeze in a Backup QB - yes yes yes - Stick is not it. are we 5 or 6 years in on that dude now? Look forward to see that big tall rookie they signed, cuz Duggan is worse than Stick. Waiver Wire ... just do it. Any medium backup talent could come in and in about 2 weeks be as ready as Stick to try and hold the team together.

[dmac_bolt]

https://boltbeat.com/posts/joe-alt-towering-size-chargers-training-camp

The LA Chargers officially kickstarted training camp on Wednesday at the team's new state-of-the-art training facility, "The Bolt". Droves of eager fans showed up to watch their favorite team practice for the first time as Wednesday serves as the starting line for what should be a very fun 2024 season.

The 2024 season represents a new era for Chargers football. New head coach Jim Harbaugh is changing the culture in Los Angeles and after months of anticipation, fans finally get an up-close look at what this culture change will look like.

Fans also got an up-close look at 2024 first-round pick Joe Alt for the first time. The former Notre Dame left tackle is penciled in to be the Bolts' starting right tackle this season, giving the Chargers one of the biggest right tackles in the sport.

Fans knew Alt was huge heading into training camp but it was really put into perspective when he was going through drills next to his teammates. The six-foot-eight, 320-plus pound tackle is towering over his peers without ever playing an NFL snap.

It is not hard to see why the Chargers fell in love with Joe Alt in the 2024 NFL Draft

Even though he was regarded as one of the most sure-fire tackle prospects in recent years, Alt was not a popular selection when the Chargers took him fifth overall back in April. The majority of Chargers fans wanted the team to take Malik Nabers or to trade back a few spots and take a starting tackle along with the extra draft capital.

Instead, the Chargers stood pat with the fifth overall pick and made a rather surprising selection that does not seem very surprising in hindsight. The Bolts were always going to take the best player available and it is clear to see why the team viewed Alt as the best player.

There is no guarantee that a rookie tackle will be great right away in the NFL but if Alt can live up to his potential then the Charges are going to have one of the most menacing offensive lines in the sport. If Alt has the kind of rookie season Rashawn Slater had, and Slater returns to form after injuries, then suddenly a weakness will be turned into a strength.

2021 first-round pick Zion Johnson has not lived up to expectations thus far but he came out of the offseason looking absolutely jacked and is now playing under a head coach and offensive coordinator who can actually develop him.

Veteran Bradley Bozeman is lined up at center and while he is no Corey Linsley, he is familiar with Greg Roman's offense and should be an upgrade from Will Clapp. Next to him is Trey Pipkins, who is kicking over from right tackle to give the Chargers another huge, menacing presence at guard.

This offensive line is going to be big and while Alt won't make highlight-reel catches like Nabers will, he very well could end up being more important to the Chargers' overall success than Nabers would have been. Time will tell.

[Boltdiehard]

I'm seeing that fan turnout was really strong today....Harbaugh has energized fans, maybe they'll start showing up to games when the Chargers start winning.

I’ll show up. Planning on my first game in over a decade just not sure where yet.

[sonorajim]

That’s what I’ve been saying. McFadden blocks well on the run. He’s gonna be our jumbo blocking TE.

Love to hear this. I so want us to push people around on the field.

[dmac_bolt]

https://www.chargers.com/news/training-camp-report-cam-hart

Chargers Training Camp is officially underway at The Bolt.

The Chargers held a 90-minute practice Wednesday without pads in front of a packed house at their brand-new facility in El Segundo. The morning began with a ceremonial ribbon cutting to commemorate the first practice at The Bolt.

Here is the Chargers Camp Report from Wednesday's practice:

1. Hart makes a splash

On a day where the Bolts defense turned heads, it was rookie cornerback Cam Hart who made the play of the day.

Hart, a recent fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame, was matched up against wide receiver Jaylen Johnson on a deep ball down the right sideline in a full-team drill.

Hart used his 6-foot-2 and 207-pound frame to outmuscle Johnson for the pigskin by leaping up and taking possession of the 50-50 ball.

Both Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and safety Derwin James, Jr. had high praise for Hart after his stellar play.

"The length for sure, the things that stand out to you right away," Harbaugh said. "The range, the instincts, the way he can put his foot in the ground and accelerate.

"To be able to be that long, he's pretty strong like a Derwin James. For them to backpedal, plant and drive on things, it's harder than the smaller, littler guy. It's a good, rare combination," Harbaugh added. "We look at him and go you got the license and ability to go a long way in this game. He's right on track."

James added: "I love Cam Hart. I'm a big Cam Hart fan. He's a big, confident guy ... long out there. He looks like a basketball player out there he's so long. But he's learning every day, is coachable every day. The sky is the limit for him."

Hart's takeaway wasn't the only one of the day as safety Tony Jefferson nabbed a pick in a 7-on-7 drill.

A handful of other defensive backs also stepped up, with Asante Samuel, Jr. denying a pair of passes and both Kristian Fulton and Denzel Perryman coming up with pass breakups in 11-on-11 drills.

One other defensive note from Wednesday is that Harbaugh said rookie linebacker Junior Colson recently had his appendix removed.

Harbaugh add that there isn't a specific return timeline for Colson, a third-round pick who is currently on the Active/Non-Football Illness List.

"I don't have my medical degree so we'll have to wait and see," Harbaugh said.

2. Notes on the offense

It's not unusual for a defense to be ahead of an offense in the early stages of camp. And from a long-term perspective, Justin Herbert and his crew are going to be fine.

A positive note from Wednesday was that Herbert spread the ball around as he works to continue to build a rapport with a new-look group of skill players.

Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, DJ Chark and Stone Smartt each had multiple catches in 7-on-7 or team drills as Herbert routinely showed off his strong arm.

The first-team offensive line was the same was it was during the spring as Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Trey Pipkins III and Joe Alt lined up from left to right.

The second unit consisted of Foster Sarell, Jordan McFadden, Brenden Jaimes, Jamaree Salyer and Alex Leatherwood.

Rookie offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart missed practice as Harbaugh said he is "working through something."

Running back Gus Edwards took part in individual drills but not team drills as Harbaugh said after practice that he is working his way back into form after an unspecified offseason surgery.

"When you're coming off an injury, the glide theory is an even longer, runway, so to speak," Harbaugh said. "As they are being released back into the wild, we're doing it judiciously."

3. A focus on special teams

Without pads — those are slated to come on Monday — the first practice of camp felt similar to what we saw in minicamp.

That meant a heavy dose of special teams work under Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken.

And while the new and altered kickoff wasn't in the practice plan, Wednesday's session did feature punt coverage and return drills.

Derius Davis and Ladd McConkey were the two returners as JK Scott boomed punts from his own end zone in a situational drill.

Numerous players also worked as gunners and focused on shedding blocks on a picturesque morning at The Bolt.

[Boltdiehard]

Thanks for posting the article dmac. I’m still a Asante homer.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Alex Leatherwood. Salyer kicked out to right tackle with Leatherwood moving into right guard later in practice.

It would be such a great help to the O-line for a guy like Leatherwood to piece things together and be a solid second-tier guy-- a guy who can step in for the starter, and *not* have things go to shit.

Leatherwood, Salyer, McFadden, Barnhart and a couple of others are competing to be that guy.

[Formula 21]

It would be such a great help to the O-line for a guy like Leatherwood to piece things together and be a solid second-tier guy-- a guy who can step in for the starter, and *not* have things go to shit.

Leatherwood, Salyer, McFadden, Barnhart and a couple of others are competing to be that guy.

We may finally be getting both quality starters and quality depth on the OL. That’s a dream for me.