Chargers Training Camp is rapidly approaching.
The team will host 17 open practices as they welcome fans back to The Bolt in El Segundo. (Note: two of the practices will be held at University of San Diego.)
The Bolts are looking to build on an 11-win season and playoff berth in Year 2 of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, as the competitiveness has gone up another level throughout the offseason.
Chargers.com will take a look at each position group and battles leading up to training camp. Next up, the wide receivers and tight ends.
Who's on the roster?
Wide receivers: Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Mike Williams, Derius Davis, Tre' Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Brendan Rice, Jalen Reagor, Dez Fitzpatrick, Jaylen Johnson, Luke Grimm, Dalevon Campbell
Tight ends: Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Tucker Fisk, Oronde Gadsden, McCallan Castles, Stevo Klotz, Jordan Petaia (International Pathway Program), Scott Matlock (fullback)
Camp Outlook
During a 2024 season full impactful newcomers for the Chargers, McConkey had the case to be the biggest revelation of all.
The receiver broke the Chargers franchise rookie records for catches and receiving yards in a season, etching himself as Justin Herbert's No. 1 target in 2024.
Now he's back leading the group and is driven to continue to improve as a target.
"Tunnel vision. Put the blinders on and just keep looking ahead," McConkey said. "I'm going to have good days, I'm going to have bad days, so don't get too high, don't get too low and just play my game.
"That's kind of how I always approached it since I've been younger and it's worked out for me. So I'm just going to keep doing that," McConkey added.
Johnston and Davis also return to the room as some of the longest-tenured Chargers at the position entering their third season.
The pair of 2023 draft picks made strides last season in the pass game, as Johnston led the Bolts in receiving touchdowns.
"Head down, just keep working," Johnston said. "I feel like everybody still has to come and show up. I kind of said it last year, especially in the receiver room, we all feed off each other's energy so any chance we get to help each other, we always do.
"At the end of the day, we're all going on the field and competing while we're helping each other out," Johnston added. "It's always hard work, day in and day out."
The team also added a number of receivers, including a familiar face in Williams, who was drafted by the Chargers in 2017 and spent last season on the Jets and Steelers.
Williams joins a couple of rookie draft picks, Harris and Lambert-Smith, as the biggest additions to the room that will be competitive once camp starts.
Rice, Reagor, Fitzpatrick and Johnson are also vying for spots, as they return after seeing very limited action in 2024. Undrafted free agents Grimm and Campbell round out the group.
The tight end room also has a number of mainstays from last season led by Dissly, who set career marks in receptions and receiving yards last year and figures to be a big part in the room as well.
He joins Fisk as the two returning members of the active roster, and also welcomed in a veteran in Conklin who could help shoulder the load in the pass game and run game as well.
The position also got some youth added through the draft with Gadsden, who has been making plays throughout the offseason and will be a name to watch during camp.
Rounding out the room is Castles, who was on the practice squad to finish last season, plus undrafted free agents in Klotz and Petaia, who is a part of the NFL's International Pathway program.
Player to Watch: Ladd McConkey
McConkey wasn't just great as a rookie, he was historic.
McConkey ended the regular season with 10 straight games with at least 50 receiving yards, the most by a rookie in NFL history. It was a record he shared with New York's Malik Nabers, who also hit the 10-game mark last season.
Now the question is: What's the next step for the young receiver?
His rapport with Herbert was something that continued to shine as the season progressed and has already flashed so far during the offseason program.
And the receiver isn't done growing, either.
"This year, he's more of a vocal leader and taking charge of individual drills," Lal said. "If it's not up to our standard, sometimes before I even say anything, he says, 'Let's start it over. Let's do it [right].'"
Lal later added: "Just been really, really impressed by him. He's better than advertised, really."
McConkey has taken full advantage of his first full offseason as a pro on and off the field.
The young receiver was elite as a rookie, but another big season and he could establish himself among the league's best.
"It was my first true offseason," McConkey said. "Not just going straight into stuff, so I got to work at my own pace and build my body back up how I wanted it to.
He later added: "I just want to be on the field at the end of the day. Whether that's outside, inside, 11 personnel, 12 personnel, whatever. I just want to be out there, be able to make plays. I know my coaches are going to put me in good positions."
Key Question: How much of a boost do the new pass catchers give the offense?
The Chargers were able to add a lot to every part of their roster — but the pass game could be the area that benefits the most.
McConkey's emergence last season gave Herbert a top option in the passing game, and the Bolts gave themselves an opportunity to be even more versatile this year with their additions.
Of course there's Johnston and Davis, each of whom made strides in their second year, but bringing back Williams gives the team a jump ball specialist that has chemistry with Herbert. They also were able to add Conklin, who has a steady rapport as a pass catcher.
That's not even mentioning the pair of rookie additions in Harris, Lambert-Smith and Gadsden, who each provide something different and will be an interesting group to monitor how they're able to contribute as rookies.
"We added speed, we added toughness, even at the receiver position, at the tight end position," Chargers Assistant General Manager Chad Alexander said following the draft. "We prioritize those core values, the toughness, great teammates, high football IQ, speed, versatility.
"Those guys are going to come in and help us as offensive playmakers," Alexander added. "Just really excited about being able to add those guys."
Herbert elevated the passing game a season ago and with a more versatile pass catching group heading into camp, it will be something to watch and see how each can help improve the pass game.
