The Athletic’s Daniel Popper believes the Chargers’ passing offense won’t be “stunted” in 2025.

30 June 2025

The addition of rookie WR Tre’ Harris and TE Oronde Gadsden Jr., Popper said, is sure to make Ladd McConkey “even more dangerous” in 2025 as Justin Herbert’s clear-cut No. 1 pass catcher. Popper said LA’s passing attack looked different in offseason practices than it did in 2024. Harris, he said, “made plays outside the numbers in contested-catch situations” and Gadsden “was a threat down the seam and on big, sweeping over routes.” The team’s “passing game felt stunted at times last year because it lacked vertical threats. That will not be the case this year.” In an offense that got progressively more pass heavy as the season wore on, Herbert in 2024 ranked fifth in adjusted yards per attempt, 24th in drop back success rate, and 15th in accuracy, just ahead of Daniel Jones. Herbert, entering his second year under OC Greg Roman, should have more viable pass-catching options if Harris and Gadsden stay healthy this season.