When the Chargers cleaned out their lockers earlier this month, nearly two dozen players recapped the 2024 season and looked ahead to the future.
The player who spoke last might have the brightest future of anyone in powder blue.
Ladd McConkey was simply stellar during a historic rookie season, but don't think he's satisfied after Year 1.
"I feel like I did some good things and I'm proud of that, the team and the growth we made from the first game to the last game," McConkey said on January 12. "But you go back and watch some games and there's so much more out there. Speaking for myself, I know I left a lot out there, especially early in the season.
"You can find those one or two plays every single game where it's, 'If I had done this or done that.' I feel like I did some good things but obviously I want to come back next year and grow," McConkey added.
McConkey, the No. 34 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, spoke in the same modest and humble tone that he did for much of his rookie season.
But there's no denying the exceptional season he put together.
McConkey finished the regular season by setting Chargers rookie records in receptions (82) and receiving yards (1,149), a yardage total that ranked 10th overall in the NFL. The second-round pick also added seven touchdowns for good measure.
McConkey turned it up a level in the Bolts lone playoff game, racking up 197 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.
His 197 yards set a rookie postseason record and were the third-most by a player in their first playoff game. McConkey, who hauled in an 86-yard touchdown pass, also became just the third rookie to surpass 150 receiving yards in a playoff game.
The day after the playoff loss, however, McConkey made it clear that he's more about team goals than personal accolades.
"It was good to go out and make plays for my team," McConkey said. "But at the end of the day, we didn't get the end goal finished.
"Obviously, the goal every year is to win the last game of the season in the postseason. Didn't get that done," McConkey added. "I feel like we're right there and we'll come back next year stronger than ever. Have a good offseason and continue to grow. We did a lot of good things but we didn't get the job done there at the end."
And from a deeper analytics standpoint, McConkey produced one of the top rookie seasons in NFL history.
According to ESPN's Ben Solak, McConkey averaged 2.57 yards per route run this season, which went down as the No. 7 mark all-time by a rookie. Again, that's for any rookie pass catcher in NFL history.
Now the focus turns to the 2025 season where McConkey and Justin Herbert will have a full offseason to further enhance the rapport and chemistry they showed last season.
Remember that while Herbert missed time in training camp with a foot injury, McConkey also missed practice here and there.
Herbert, of course, then played through a severe early-season high sprain and later dealt with different ankle and knee issues.
McConkey, who missed a Week 14 game in Kansas City with a knee and shoulder injury, said he's excited about the growth the duo can build on this offseason.
"That guy is a stud. He put the team on his back the whole dang year," McConkey said. "When we needed to step up and make plays, he did it.
"I couldn't be more thankful for him, his attitude and his approach to the game all year," McConkey added. "I came into a great situation with a great quarterback and I'm just lucky to be able to play with him. I feel like we're only going to continue to get better and better as the years go on."
Herbert also reciprocated that praise for McConkey during the 2024 season.
"He's such a tough player. He's a playmaker and finds ways to get open," Herbert said. "He's done such a great job of battling injuries and being out there for us.
"He's a guy we trust on third down. Anytime we go out there, he's a threat," Herbert added. "All I have to do is get him the ball and he makes my job so much easier."
What could the 2025 season have in store for Herbert and McConkey?
The Chargers wide receiver said earlier this month that he hopes to hit the ground running with Herbert once the Bolts offseason begins in April.
"Anytime you play with a new quarterback, it doesn't matter who it is, no quarterback throws exactly the same," McConkey said. "They all have a different motion and it comes out of their hand a little different. It takes time and I feel like we developed that chemistry and put the time in with OTAs, the offseason program.
"Just extra reps and stuff like that. It was good but I don't think it was anything crazy," McConkey added. "He usually throws a good ball and it hits you right in the hands so just had to build that chemistry and trust with him and let him know I'm going to be in the right spot."
Before the 2024 season began, Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman likened McConkey to a "Swiss Army Knife", noting the shifty wide receiver had a chance to be a focal point of the Bolts offense as a rookie.
Roman was right on the mark, and McConkey likely even exceeded expectations down the stretch as he helped the Bolts win 11 games and secure a playoff berth.
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 this season.
Chargers fans should be excited for what the Bolts offense could look like in 2025 as McConkey could be a centerpiece in the passing game along with Quentin Johnston and any other pieces the Chargers add this offseason.
McConkey said a few weeks ago that he was already looking ahead to 2025.
"It's all about building off this year and getting better and being ready," McConkey said.
