Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz has transformed the Bolts roster heading into the 2024 season.
And he's left quite the first impression on pundits in recent months.
In a debate by MMQB staff of NFL experts, they were asked to pick the general managers who have had the biggest impact this offseason. Hortiz was picked by two of the four NFL experts and was the only GM to be selected on more than one occasion.
MMQB's Albert Breer was among them, pointing to the influence Hortiz had from his previous experience in Baltimore.
Combine that with Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh in LA, Breer believes the general manager has made some sound moves that will turn the Bolts into the team they want to be.
Breer wrote:
The reason I'm going with Hortiz is something I remember saying to his old boss, DeCosta, about how the Ravens operate — you could explain most of their moves to an 8-year-old. It's a compliment. It means they operate with a certain level of logic, and Hortiz, and Jim Harbaugh, have done that this offseason.
Where they've invested in talent tells that story. Coming into the offseason, they had a messy cap situation … So what did they do? They leaned into Harbaugh's line-heavy ethos, reworking the deals for [Joey] Bosa and [Khalil] Mack, trading [Keenan] Allen and releasing [Mike] Williams.
From there, they signed two warhorse tailbacks, in J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, who'd need no adaptation to the Harbaugh style of play (having been in it in Baltimore), then doubled down in the draft, selecting Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt over replacing Williams and Allen with a Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze. Then, they turned around and took Ladd McConkey in the second round to address a need at receiver.
Check out the best photos of the Chargers wrapping up their off-season program on Day 3 of Mini-Camp 2024, the final practice at the team's Costa Mesa facility before moving to The Bolt in El Segundo
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers hold Mandatory Mini-Camp on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
Breer's colleague Conor Orr also echoed the sentiment with Hortiz's moves and the significance behind them.
With Harbaugh in the mix, bringing in players that fit the mold of physical, tough players was a priority in free agency and during the draft.
Hortiz has managed to do just that and more for Orr, as they continue to build the team around the vision of Harbaugh and the franchise QB.
Orr wrote:
This is as strong an ideological marriage as any coach and GM tandem I've seen this offseason and the Chargers already have a roster that will be fun to play around with and build. Hortiz's job ... [is] to toughen up the place around Justin Herbert.
The full article can be found here.
