When rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey has gotten his hands on the football thus far in his young NFL career, it has led to good things for the Chargers offense.
There was no better example of it Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium.
"Ladd is a little ball of fire," fellow wide receiver Joshua Palmer said. "When you see him get the ball, you don't really know what's going to happen, but you know he's going to make a big play."
Quarterback Justin Herbert added: "He just makes plays and you have to find ways to get him the ball."
Big plays indeed.
The Bolts second-round rookie had the best day of his young career in Sunday's big 26-8 win over the Saints, hauling in all six of his targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
"Feels good," McConkey said about his performance. "Any time you get in the end zone, it's a big deal. Just glad I was able contribute for the guys today."
He also became the first Chargers player to surpass the century mark in a game in 2024.
It was a performance that even his defensive teammates had something to say about.
"Beast. Dog… Ladd is that guy," Chargers safety Derwin James, Jr., said.
Khalil Mack added: "It was only a matter of time before he was able to break out and do his thing."
McConkey's first score of the game could not have meant more to an offense that came into the game with a second-half touchdown drought.
The Chargers offense had not scored a touchdown in the second half since a Week 1 win against the Raiders.
But that all changed Sunday when the rookie was able to make a massive play.
On the second offensive drive of the third quarter, Justin Herbert gave McConkey a chance and threw him a jump ball on the right side.
Not only did McConkey leap up and secure the catch at the Saints 35-yard line, the rookie cut it back inside and beat the Saints secondary in a footrace to the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown.
"Unbelievable catch," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said about McConkey's first touchdown. "And then a SportsCenter highlight clip right after that to go score that touchdown and get the ball in the end zone.
"It's what we needed and what we've been needing," Harbaugh added.
That touchdown was the Chargers longest touchdown of the season so far and a much-needed boost for an offense that was looking for a spark.
It was the rookie just trying to make a play for his quarterback.
"Most of the time when he throws the ball and you just stand there, it smacks you in the chest," McConkey said. "He gave me a chance, so I just went and made a play for him."
His second touchdown grab of the day was almost as impressive as the first.
With Herbert rolling out of the pocket to his left, he fired a pass on the run to a covered McConkey, who was being face guarded in the back of the end zone.
Coverage and all, it was no problem as the rookie jumped and made a catch over Saints safety Ugo Amadi for six points.
"We work it, we always talk about scramble drill," McConkey said. "Especially in the red zone, I feel like a lot of stuff breaks down, it might be the second play or third play that happens. Being in the right spots, we have our rules for scramble drills.
"Just being there and Justin back there able to run more now, feeling more comfortable," McConkey added. "Just got to be on the same page."
Harbaugh added: "His ability to find the ball on contested catches is very special and we saw it again today."
The rookie's big day came with some history attached to it.
McConkey became the fourth rookie since 1970 with 100 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in a game.
McConkey is also the first Chargers rookie to record a 100-yard receiving game since Keenan Allen did it in Week 13 of the 2013 season. He is the 10th Bolts rookie to top the century mark since 1970.
"He's in some rare company now with rookie wide receivers for the Chargers," Harbaugh said. "Over 100 yards and two touchdowns in a game [as a rookie] … and there have been some really good receivers."
McConkey added: "That's pretty cool. Hopefully I can get another one."
Whether it was short, intermediate or deep, the rookie's the full repertoire was on display Sunday in a big way.
And with that comes a lot of excitement for what McConkey is and what he could mean for the Chargers going forward.
"It's not an 'if.' He can, so take the 'if' out of it. He can, most definitely [go downfield]," Harbaugh said. "He's sure fast enough and he's been effective as an outside receiver and as a slot receiver. We've known that."
Herbert added: "He's a complete receiver. To have that short game and intermediate routes where he's been so good at it, especially on third downs. Now you add open up some of those go balls that you have to respect … we've got a true ball player on our hands."
