We've made it to Week 1.
The Bolts open the 2024 season at home Sunday against the Raiders. Kickoff is at 1:05 p.m. (PT).
What do the next few months have in store for the Bolts?
Here are five key Chargers storylines to keep an eye on this season:
1. What do the Chargers look like under Jim Harbaugh?
The Jim Harbaugh Era is here.
And the Chargers Head Coach has instilled a new attitude and mindset that has permeated throughout the roster.
Offensively, the Bolts want to run the ball and set the tone in the trenches.
Yes, they still have Justin Herbert at quarterback. But imagine the all-world quarterback with a bruising running game and an offensive line that can help keep him upright in the pocket.
The result could be a lethal season from Herbert, who looked as good as ever in training camp once he returned from a foot injury.
Defensively, the Chargers want to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks and win at the line of scrimmage.
Tight end Hayden Hurst succinctly summed up what he expects from the Bolts in 2024.
"We're going to be physical, we're going to come at you," Hurst said this offseason. "When you see us pop up on the schedule, it's going to be a long Sunday."
Time will tell if Harbaugh can mold the Chargers into a playoff team in Year 1.
What we do know is that he will likely have the Bolts primed for some street fights in his re-introduction to the NFL.
2. Who steps up at wide receiver?
This is the position group that enters the 2024 season with perhaps the most to prove.
With the three-most targeted players from a season ago no longer on the roster, the Bolts will need someone from this group to step up.
Joshua Palmer is entering Year 4 with the Chargers and already has a built-in rapport with Herbert. DJ Chark is a veteran who brings size and athleticism.
Quentin Johnston could be a name to watch here. The 2023 first-round pick endured an up-and-down rookie season but flashed in training camp and looks like a much-improved player.
Harbaugh said as much before the Bolts preseason finale.
"Q has been steadily climbing, going in a great direction," Harbaugh said. "I think them getting the offense down more, they know it better than they did six months ago, four months ago. They'll know it better six months from now. I see that being a piece of the puzzle.
"But most of all, it's him attacking it, being really mentally strong, staying steady, attacking the meetings, the training, and the practices," Harbaugh added. "Great discipline, really football discipline which is, to me, can you repeatedly do what you're capable of doing. I see Quentin on that track."
Derius Davis is an ace returner on special teams who could chip in on offense, while Simi Fehoko earned a roster spot with strong play in multiple phases in training camp and the preseason.
The Bolts also have a pair of rookies on the roster in second-round pick Ladd McConkey and seventh-rounder Brenden Rice.
Watch for McConkey to be a third-down option for Herbert due to his quickness and route-running ability. And Rice could be a player who steadily improves over the course of his first pro season.
While the Bolts want to establish a dominant ground game, there will be times where they undoubtedly need to throw it. That could mean on a specific play in the fourth quarter or for an entire game to counter an opponent's game plan.
When that happens, someone must step up when Herbert looks his way.
Check out the best photos from practice on Thursday at The Bolt in El Segundo
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
3. Which young players take the next step?
The Chargers enter the 2024 season with plenty of big-name stars on their roster.
But ask anyone who's been around the league long enough and they will tell you that good teams win due to contributions from ascending players, too.
Which Chargers fit into that group?
Defensively, linebacker Daiyan Henley and edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu are perfect examples.
Henley, a 2023 third-round pick, is in line to start at linebacker next to veteran Denzel Perryman. If Henley can offer consistent play to go along with his elite athletic traits, he could be a force in the middle of the Bolts defense for years to come.
The same could be said on the outside with Tuipulotu, who was a second-round pick a year ago and had 4.5 sacks as a rookie.
If the 21-year-old takes another step forward, he could be the face of the position room down the road.
We already covered Johnston above on offense, but keep an eye on left guard Zion Johnson, too.
He is a former first-round pick who looks massive after an impressive offseason. A ground-and-pound style up front could help him elevate his game in Year 3.
4. How much havoc does the defense create?
If you watch any of the Bolts three preseason games, you probably noticed that Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter likes to bring the heat on opposing quarterbacks.
The Chargers defense tallied 7.0 sacks in preseason play, and that was without their heavy hitters on the field.
(Side note: Brett Kollman did a phenomenal job breaking down Minter's pressure scheme in this video here).
What will Minter have up his sleeve in his first season in LA?
To start, Derwin James, Jr. could be a vital chess piece as Minter tries to keep opposing offenses off balance.
But the real fun will be to track how Minter employs the edge rusher group of Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree.
Mack, Bosa and Tuipulotu were on the field together for 44 plays last season. The Chargers tallied 10.0 combined sacks on those plays.
If it's third-and-long, look for Minter to dial up the pressure by using an elite stable of edge rushers at his disposal.
5. Can the Bolts be elite again on special teams?
Perhaps the most consistent aspect of the Chargers over the past two seasons has been on special teams.
Cameron Dicker has made 50 of 53 field goals since joining the Bolts midway through the 2022 season.
JK Scott's elite hangtime has helped the Bolts pin opponents deep and nearly eliminate the threat on punt returns.
And veteran Josh Harris has the fourth-highest Pro Football Focus special teams grade (87.9) among long snappers in the past two seasons.
But the 2024 season offers a new wrinkle with an altered kickoff format that has made the once seemingly forgotten play a focal point around the league.
Davis could be a gamebreaker with the ball in his hands on returns. The key will be making sure the Chargers soundly cover kickoffs and prevent any game-swinging plays.
Based on how the Chargers are built, there's a chance we're in for a bevy of close games this season.
If that's the case, continued elite play under Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken could push the Bolts to an extra win or two over the course of the 2024 season.
