Chargers training camp report, Day 3: Disjointed practice for the offense

New York Times

20-07-2025

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers held their third practice of training camp Saturday evening at The Bolt, the team's training facility. They will have an off day Sunday before training camp resumes Monday.
On Tuesday, the Chargers will head south for two practices at the University of San Diego, where Jim Harbaugh was head coach from 2004-06. Tuesday will be the Chargers' first padded practice of training camp.
Advertisement
Saturday's practice was a disjointed one for the offense, and that is where we will start with some observations.
1. While there were some positive moments, the Chargers just could not find a rhythm offensively at any point in Saturday's practice. It started in the first team period of the evening and continued until the final period. Drops, miscommunications, interceptions, errant throws. There was a little of everything.
In Justin Herbert's second series of 11-on-11, the quarterback and receiver Derius Davis miscommunicated on a comeback route. Davis was open, and a sharp break had forced cornerback Donte Jackson to slip. But the throw sailed wide.
In seven-on-seven, the defense nearly came up with an interception on quarterback Trey Lance when a ball glanced off the hands of receiver Luke Grimm. Two plays later, quarterback Taylor Heinicke tried to hit Davis on a dig route over the middle. Cornerback Cam Hart had a bead on the route and jumped in front of Davis. It should have been a pick, but Hart could not make the catch.
On the opening play of the next 11-on-11 period, cornerback Deane Leonard intercepted Herbert for a pick six. Herbert was trying to connect with Jalen Reagor on a comeback route off play action. Leonard was in perfect position and read Herbert's eyes.
Two plays later, Grimm was wide open down the seam. He and Herbert were not on the same page. Grimm bent the route to the inside. Herbert threw the ball to the outside, toward the numbers. The ball fell incomplete.
In the next 11-on-11 period, Herbert threw a perfect ball to rookie receiver Dalevon Campbell on a go route. Campbell, a rookie out of South Carolina, separated from cornerback Trikweze Bridges down the left sideline. It should have been a touchdown. Campbell dropped the pass.
On the next play, Herbert rolled out to his right off play action. Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden was open running to the sideline. Herbert threw on the run, and the pass sailed wide.
Advertisement
Later in the same period, Lance attempted a pass to rookie receiver Tre' Harris on a comeback route to the right. Linebacker Denzel Perryman and Jackson converged on Harris as the ball arrived. The pass was deflected, and linebacker Daiyan Henley came down with the interception, his second pick in as many days.
The Chargers concluded practice with a situational drill. The offense had to complete a pass before rushing to the line to spike the ball. On the first play, Herbert threw to receiver Ladd McConkey on a dig. The ball went off McConkey's hands. On the next play, Herbert's pass was batted at the line. On third down, edge rusher Khalil Mack came free on a stunt to the inside. The play was not blown dead. Herbert was able to connect with tight end Tyler Conklin, who separated from safety Derwin James Jr. late in the down. The completion was ruled a first down. The offense rushed to the line and spiked the ball.
'We're working through it,' offensive coordinator Greg Roman said.
2. Gadsden served as the bright spot for the offense in Saturday's practice. The rookie tight end, who was one of the stars of the spring, had three catches in team drills. Two of those came in seven-on-seven, on back-to-back plays. The first was a short catch on a stop route over the middle. On the second, he burst wide open down the seam, and Herbert hit him in stride for an explosive play.
Later, in 11-on-11, Gadsden was aligned to the outside left pre-snap, matched up with linebacker Emany Johnson. Gadsden beat Johnson on a go route, and Herbert delivered for another explosive play.
OG makin' it look easy pic.twitter.com/bVFLDi2aSp
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 20, 2025
Gadsden clearly can be an impactful player in the passing game. How much he plays this season will depend on how he performs when the pads come on. Can he be functional enough as a blocker to do the many jobs asked of tight ends in Roman's offense?
'He's doing a really nice job,' Roman said of Gadsden. 'Let's get the pads on, let's get some practices under our belt with that and see how we're doing.'
Advertisement
3. Left tackle Rashawn Slater did not practice Saturday. Roman said after practice that it was a 'rest' day for Slater, who remains in contract extension negotiations with the Chargers. Roman added that Slater will 'most likely' be back for Monday's practice.
'He's here, he's working,' Roman said. 'It's just whether we give him reps or not.'
Joe Alt moved from right tackle to left tackle to replace Slater on the first-team offensive line. Trey Pipkins III was at right tackle. Mekhi Becton, who attended the Philadelphia Eagles' ring ceremony Friday night, missed his second straight practice Saturday. Jamaree Salyer was at right guard.
4. Roman spoke with media Saturday for the first time since Mike Williams surprisingly retired before the start of training camp. The big question to answer: Who is in the mix to play the X receiver position? Williams had the potential to start the year at that spot given his experience.
X receivers are isolated more often. They face more press coverage because they are typically aligned on the line of scrimmage. They go in motion less frequently because they are usually necessary to maintain a legal formation. All reasons why X receivers tend to be bigger and more physical with the ability to win in 50-50 ball situations. Like Williams.
Roman mentioned four players when asked who is capable of playing that role in his offense: Quentin Johnston, Harris, Reagor and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. However, Roman added that the Chargers are initially going to start Harris at Z, the outside receiver opposite the X in three-receiver packages. The third position is the slot, which will be most often manned by McConkey. Z is the position Joshua Palmer usually played for the Chargers before he left in free agency this offseason.
'Tre' can pretty much play any of those positions,' Roman said. 'He's pretty flexible in that regard. We still haven't totally dialed in on how much we're going to move him around. We're moving him around a little bit right now, and we're going to see how that goes and monitor it. But definitely want him to get a base at something right now.'
Advertisement
'You need to start somewhere,' Roman added.
Reagor had the play of the day among the receivers Saturday, catching an explosive pass from Herbert on an over route off play action. This was probably Herbert's best throw of the day. He dropped the ball in between three defenders.
5. Bradley Bozeman was back at center Saturday with the first-team offense, while Zion Johnson was at left guard. To recap, Bozeman was at center and Johnson was at left guard for Day 1. Bozeman was at left guard and Johnson was at center for Day 2.
This competition is still in its infancy.
'Once the pads come on, it notches up a little bit,' Roman said. 'So we'll get a much better picture then.'
6. Lance was the first quarterback on the field after Herbert on Saturday, ahead of Heinicke.
This is shaping up to be a real competition for Herbert's backup.
'Right now, I don't think there's a depth chart to it,' Roman said. 'I think they're both going to get opportunities, and we'll see how that unfolds.'
(Photo of Justin Herbert: Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)