Chargers minicamp observations: Oronde Gadsden's big day, Justin Herbert speaks

New York Times

a day ago

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers held their second practice of mandatory minicamp Wednesday. They are scheduled for one more minicamp camp practice Thursday, which will conclude the mandatory portion of the offseason program.
It was a busy day at The Bolt, from the podium to the practice fields. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, offensive coordinator Greg Roman, quarterback Justin Herbert and edge rusher Khalil Mack all met with local media for the first time since last season ended in January. The Chargers also practiced for close to two hours, with splash plays on both sides of the ball.
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We have a lot to get to. Here are my notes, observations and takeaways.
1. Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden was the standout player from Wednesday's practice. He caught seven passes in team drills, showcasing the ability to attack all three levels of the defense — short, intermediate and deep. Gadsden's first reception of the day came with the second team in 11-on-11, playing with backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Gadsden used his speed and long strides to separate from safety Kendall Williamson on an over route, and Heinicke hit the tight end in stride for an explosive gain.
Later in the practice, Gadsden started to work in consistently with Herbert and the first-team offense. Gadsden caught two more passes, both from Herbert, in a three-play stretch. The first came on a shallow route to the flat. On the second, Gadsden broke away from safety Derwin James Jr. on an out route and hauled in the reception along the right sideline. Safety Alohi Gilman was also closing on the play, and Gadsden made the catch in traffic.
Gadsden added another catch in seven-on-seven from Herbert on a stop route over the middle.
'He's getting a bunch of reps with us,' Herbert said, referring to the starting offense. 'So any time I can get out there and get him the ball, see what he can do, he's made some big-time plays. We've got an exciting tight end group, and he's going to be a big piece of the puzzle for that.'
In the final period of 11-on-11, Gadsden made two more impressive catches working with rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and the third-team offense. On the first, Gadsden cut inside on a slant route. Linebacker Troy Dye was in tight coverage. Uiagalelei delivered an accurate ball, high and away from Dye. Dye still challenged the throw. Gadsden made a strong catch through contact. On the second, Gadsden separated from linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips on an out route. On this play, Gadsden displayed light feet, balance and athleticism. He made the catch close to the sideline, stopped his momentum and turned upfield for yards after the catch without going out of bounds.
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The fifth-round pick is looking like a genuine playmaker for Herbert and the Chargers passing game.
'I really think he's going to ascend quickly,' Roman said. 'He's flashing some really good things.'
2. Gadsden was not the only young pass catcher to flash Wednesday. Rookie receiver Tre Harris, a second-round pick, made the play of the day on offense on a go route down the left sideline in 11-on-11. Veteran cornerback Donte Jackson was in coverage. Heinicke floated a deep ball over the outstretched arms of Jackson. Harris showed off tremendous concentration and ball skills, securing the catch with one hand while falling to the ground. It was very close to a touchdown.
Harris also worked in more consistently with the first-team offense. Earlier in practice, he ran a sharp slant route, beating cornerback Tarheeb Still for the reception.
'He's a versatile guy,' Roman said of Harris. 'Good size, smart, can play inside and out.'
Second-year receiver Brenden Rice also had a touchdown catch on a post route in 11-on-11. He won a jump ball over Still. The ball was slightly underthrown by Heinicke. Rice made a good adjustment.
3. Herbert clearly has more playmakers at his disposal this season in the passing game, particularly pass catchers who can attack down the field. That includes Gadsden and Harris. It also includes Mike Williams and rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who both worked off to the side during Wednesday's practice for the second straight day.
More options could mean more opportunities for Herbert to push the ball downfield. Roman acknowledged Wednesday that the new pieces could 'open up that to where we can go to it more.'
'We're certainly not going to be just bombs away every play,' Roman said. 'But it's going to allow us to attack down the field more or at least present the opportunity to. So we'll hopefully have that aspect to our offense as well as our ground-and-pound mentality — have those different options available to where it's realistic and legitimate. Really excited about that.'
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The Herbert-Williams connected needs no projection. They played together for four seasons from 2020 to '23 before the Chargers cut Williams last offseason for salary cap reasons. The Chargers signed Williams back in March to a one-year deal.
'He's one of those guys that changes the way you play football when he's on your team,' Herbert said of Williams. '50-50 balls are not quite 50-50, as we've seen with Mike. You need a play, a big-time play, he's going to go up and make it.'
glad to have u back, @darealmike_dub pic.twitter.com/0eYCP3jloL
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) June 11, 2025
Even just the threat of pushing the ball downfield is important. Defenses will have to respect that facet of the Chargers offense, which should create more space for Ladd McConkey to operate when he is playing in the slot. McConkey had 197 yards in the Chargers' playoff loss to the Houston Texans in January. All the other receivers on the roster combined for 14 yards. As Roman said Wednesday, 'It was basically Ladd and really not much else.'
What can McConkey be when he has complementary pieces on the outside? The ceiling feels incredibly high, especially when watching Herbert and McConkey connect at these minicamp practices. Herbert's best throw of the day went to McConkey in seven-on-seven. Herbert fit a dime into tight coverage, splitting three defenders, on an over route to McConkey.
4. Herbert, of course, threw a career-high four interceptions in that loss to Houston in January. When asked how he went about processing the game, Herbert said, 'I think it's just like every other loss. You take a look at what you did wrong, what you did right and you try to improve. If I spend any more time worrying or focusing on a loss like that, I think I'm doing a disservice to my teammates. Obviously it didn't go the way we wanted it to, like I said at the end of the year. But we got to move on. You got to take a look at what you did wrong, be honest with yourself, be critical, but you can't let it take up too much of your time.'
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Herbert threw one interception in Wednesday's practice, underthrowing a deep shot to receiver Jalen Reagor down the middle of the field. Rookie safety RJ Mickens — who was back after missing Tuesday's practice — picked off the wobbling pass. Mickens has changed his number from 41 to 27.
5. Mack was contemplating retirement after last season ended. He ultimately decided to keep playing and re-signed with the Chargers on a one-year deal.
'You're chasing that feeling of wanting to win important games deep in the season,' Mack said. 'Being that I haven't reached that point yet, I couldn't give up on that dream and that goal for myself and for this franchise.'
Mack said Chargers executive director of player performance Ben Herbert 'was a big part of that decision.'
'I want to be a machine,' Mack said. 'I want to be as solid as possible, be as strong as possible, move people easily. His program is all of that.'
Mack was back working out with Herbert in early March after he re-signed.
a no-brainer 🥹 pic.twitter.com/k87AxfTVDK
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) June 11, 2025
6. Mack said 'it's weird' not having edge rusher Joey Bosa in the room anymore. The Chargers cut Bosa this offseason, and he signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Bosa's departure has created a massive opportunity for Tuli Tuipulotu.
'Tuli is a special player,' Mack said. 'I've been saying that ever since he stepped foot in the building three years ago now. Just knowing who he is and knowing what he brings on a consistent basis, he's already ready for that. He's been a starter essentially for the past three years, so I don't think it's going to be any different. … It's not going to be a surprise to me when he's a 10, 12-plus sack guy this year.'
Minter called Tuipulotu an 'ascending superstar-type of a player.'
'You kind of know going into the previous year that you're third,' Minter said of Tuipulotu. 'Now you kind of know going into the year, this is my chance. One of the guys is gone now. I think you just have a different level of confidence.'
7. Tuipulotu will be taking over for Bosa. On the interior of the defensive line, the Chargers will be looking to replace the production of Poona Ford, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams in free agency.
Minter said there will be 'a little bit of the committee approach' in trying to fill Ford's shoes. The Chargers added multiple pieces to the interior this offseason, from Da'Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones in free agency to Jamaree Caldwell in the third round of the draft.
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'Maybe there's more total capable guys now than we had at this time last year, and let it all shake out,' Minter said. 'That's kind of how I feel about the D-line.'
8. Along with Williams and Lambert-Smith, safety Elijah Molden, cornerback Deane Leonard, receiver Luke Grimm, defensive back Nikko Reed and tight end Jordan Petaia worked off to the side. Offensive lineman Savion Washington and safety Jaylen Jones were not on the field.
9. Bradley Bozeman worked at center with the first team, while Zion Johnson worked at left guard. Johnson was at center and Bozeman was at left guard in Tuesday's practice.
'That versatility of being able to play either, I think, is very important for any interior O-lineman,' Roman said of the Bozeman-Johnson competition at center. 'You've got to be able to play two positions, and that's part of the strategy, too.'
Roman added that Johnson's transition to center will 'be a process.' Johnson played left guard for the Chargers last season and has not played center in the NFL.
'Hopefully it's a quick one,' Roman said.
(Top photo of Oronde Gadsden: Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)