The Bolts regular-season opener is only days away.
The Chargers open the 2024 season Sunday at home against the Raiders. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
Ahead of the Chargers first game of the season, NFL analysts and publications have released their power rankings. Take a look at where the Bolts are ranked as they enter Week 1.
No. 13: Eric Edholm – NFL.com
I feel much better now that Justin Herbert has returned to practice, and even more so after the Chargers swung a trade for backup Taylor Heinicke. Big Easton Stick fan here and all, but he wasn't proving himself dependable in the preseason. Jim Harbaugh carried over his "those who produce will stay" mantra from Michigan, and it seems to be playing out as we speak with each transaction. (Yes, Stick remains on the roster, but you know what I mean.) There's tangible excitement around this team with Herbert cleared from the plantar fascia injury that held him back this summer, but the other half of Harbaugh's rhetorical coin -- "... those who stay will be champions" -- still feels a ways off from coming to fruition for the Bolts. That said, the coach did turn a five-win Wolverines team into a top-15 group in his first year in Michigan, and it wouldn't shock me if he leads a Chargers squad that won five games in 2023 into the top half of the league by season's end.
No. 17: Josh Kendall – The Athletic
Preseason vibes: Gritty
Several members of his team were stuck in an elevator during a preseason trip to Dallas, and, of course, Jim Harbaugh turned it into an after-school special about overcoming adversity. "That's a shared experience," Harbaugh said. "I mean, brought them closer together. I just missed it, you know, being on that elevator, and it's like, I wish I could have been there with those guys." We can chuckle at Harbaugh all season long, but the Chargers might be the story of the early NFL season. They play the Raiders, Panthers, Steelers, Broncos, Cardinals and Saints in six of their first seven games.
Check out the best photos from the first Week 1 practice on Monday at The Bolt in El Segundo
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Monday, September 2, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
No. 18: Pete Prisco – CBS Sports
Jim Harbaugh will fix this team, but it might not happen this year. They will be physical and tough to beat on a weekly basis, but watch out next season.
No. 18: Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk
Never underestimate the ability of Jim Harbaugh to jolt a team into relevance.
No. 19: Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated
My concern has never been about Jim Harbaugh. He's going to be great at this job. My concern was never Justin Herbert. He's obviously already pretty great at his job. My concern is the roster that was left behind in Los Angeles. There's a middle tier of this roster that cannot be turned over in one offseason, which is why my initial preseason projections have the Chargers inching toward a 9–8 season.
No. 19: Nate Davis – USA Today
No. 21: BR NFL Staff – Bleacher Report
[Maurice] Moton expects Harbaugh to succeed in his second NFL stint—provided that the team's lack of skill-position talent doesn't come back to bite them.
"We'll find out what the Chargers are all about under head coach Jim Harbaugh, though we should already know based on his track record over the past 13 years with the San Francisco 49ers and at Michigan," he said. "Like his previous teams, Harbaugh's 2024 Chargers will be a physical squad that looks to dominate in the trenches. No one should be surprised that Los Angeles selected offensive tackle Joe Alt with the fifth pick in this year's draft and kept edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa."
"Alt will not only protect Justin Herbert, but he'll also open up running lanes for Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins," Moton went on. "The Chargers' biggest obstacle will be keeping their key players healthy. Herbert just returned to practice from a foot injury. Bosa recently underwent surgery on his broken hand. Edwards and Dobbins have missed a significant number of games over the last three years."
No. 21: Diante Lee – The Ringer
For the Chargers to get this roster where it needs to be in upcoming years, they need to grit their teeth through a season like this, in which the offensive talent around Justin Herbert is clearly below the level necessary for him to go toe-to-toe with the other elite quarterbacks in the AFC. Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater can be one of the best tackle duos in the league… Defensively, I'm optimistic that the Chargers will perform much better in a more simplified and aggressive scheme under coordinator Jesse Minter… Defensive tackles Morgan Fox and Poona Ford should be a big help against the run, and a reduction in safety Derwin James's workload would allow him to be much more effective and focus on what he does best—playing close to the line of scrimmage.
No. 22: Frank Schwab – Yahoo Sports
Justin Herbert is back from his foot injury, which isn't a surprise. Everyone figured he'd play Week 1. The concern is if he's not 100%. That injury can linger. Needless to say, if Herbert is affected at all by that injury, the Chargers' ceiling gets a lot lower.
No. 26: David Helman – Fox Sports
I still believe in Justin Herbert, but is the surrounding talent on offense good enough to help him? It just feels like this is a reset year, and the hope is that the Chargers will be frisky in 2025.
