Tag: Chargers

Rumor: WR Davante Adams ‘open’ to joining Chargers if released

The Chargers could be a possible landing spot for a three-time All-Pro wide receiver.

The Chargers will be in the market for a wide receiver this offseason. There will be plenty of intriguing options in free agency, and one wideout still under contract could be among the crop.

Davante Adams is a candidate to be released by the Jets. Should he become available, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that he is “intrigued” by the idea of returning to play on the West Coast and “open” to teams like the Chargers.

Adams also mentioned the Rams and 49ers as teams he’d be interested in playing for.

Adams finished the 2024 season with 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns during his time with the Raiders and Jets. This marked his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season.

The 32-year-old Adams would provide Los Angeles’ offense with a reliable receiver for Justin Herbert on one-on-one balls, something they haven’t had since losing Mike Williams.

Adams would only open things for rookie sensation Ladd McConkey, who led the team with 1,149 yards this past season. The veteran wideout’s presence could also aid Quentin Johnston, who had a team-high eight touchdowns.

NFL free agency targets for Chargers playing in Super Bowl 59

Here are some pending free agents the Chargers could target from Chiefs and Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

The biggest game of the year is here, as the Philadelphia Eagles are set to clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59.

While many around the world are gathering around to watch the contest for entertainment purposes, teams across the league are using this as a part of their evaluation process for the offseason.

For the Chargers, they are primed to be aggressive this free agency as they are projected to have over $60 million in salary cap space.

With that, here are a few players that Chargers fans should have their eyes on.

Chiefs

  • OL Trey Smith
  • EDGE Charles Omenihu
  • DT Derrick Nnadi
  • WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
  • WR Justin Watson
  • EDGE Joshua Uche

Eagles

  • OL Mekhi Becton
  • EDGE Josh Sweat
  • DT Milton Williams
  • RB Kenneth Gainwell

Which Chargers received votes for awards at NFL Honors?

J.K. Dobbins was the only finalist for a major awards, but there were other Chargers players and coaches who received votes.

The Chargers had one player who was a finalist for one of the major awards on Thursday night at NFL Honors.

Running back J.K. Dobbins finished second in Comeback Player of the Year voting behind Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Dobbins received three first-place votes.

Dobbins was the only finalist, but some other players and coaches did receive votes following the 2024 season.

Here’s a quick look at the Chargers receiving votes for major awards.

Most Valuable Player of the Year

Quarterback Justin Herbert received three fourth-place votes. Bills QB Josh Allen was the winner.

Comeback Player of the Year

Herbert received one third-place vote, one fourth-place vote and two fifth-place votes.

Assistant Coach of the Year

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter received two second-place votes, five third-place votes and two fifth-place votes. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was the winner.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Offensive tackle Joe Alt received two third-place votes and two fifth-place votes. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey got two fourth-place votes and one fifth-place vote. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was the winner.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Cornerback Tarheeb Still received one first-place vote, three third-place votes, two fourth-place votes and four fifth-place votes. Rams edge rusher Jared Verse was the winner.

Coach of the Year

Head coach Jim Harbaugh received three second-place votes, three third-place votes, 12 fourth-place votes and 11 fifth-place votes. Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell was the winner.

Social media reacts to Antonio Gates being elected to Hall of Fame

Here’s a sampling of how fans and pundits reacted to the news on Twitter/X.

Finally!

After being left off last year, former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has finally been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2025 class.

Here’s a sampling of how fans and pundits reacted to the news on Twitter/X.

Watch: Antonio Gates gets surprised by former teammate with Hall of Fame honor

Antonio Gates’ former teammate was the one who surprised him with the big news.

Antonio Gates was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday.

Before it was officially announced to the public, Gates’ former teammate and Chargers great LaDainian Tomlinson surprised him with the big news.

“It’s my honor to welcome you into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025,” Tomlinson said.

In the video, Gates revealed that his father passed away recently and his funeral was a week before.

“He would always talk about being a competitor, being tough,” Gates said about his dad.

Watch the heartwarming video below.

Former Chargers TE Antonio Gates set to be inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

After missing the cut last year, Antonio Gates will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Antonio Gates is finally in.

After missing the cut last year, Gates will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.

The other members of the Class of 2025 are Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Sterling Sharpe (senior).

Gates never played college football despite initially enrolling at Michigan State with the hopes of playing basketball and football. He transferred to two schools before ending up at Kent State.

This is where he helped the Golden Flashes reach the Elite Eight of the 2002 NCAA tournament. He switched to football after graduation, signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003.

Little did we know when Gates entered the league that he would go on to be one of the best to play the sport and revolutionize the tight end position.

Gates finished his 16-year career, all with the Bolts, with 955 receptions for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns. His 116 touchdown receptions are the most by a tight end in NFL history.

Gates was a five-time All-Pro selection and made eight Pro Bowl teams.

Chargers hiring new safeties coach

The Chargers hired their replacement for Chris O’Leary.

The Chargers have hired Adam Fuller as the team’s new safeties coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Fuller will replace former safeties coach Chris O’Leary, who left to become the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan.

Fuller previously served as Florida State’s defensive coordinator, a role that he held from 2020-24. He was Memphis’ defensive coordinator in 2019 and at Marshall from 2013-18 on the defensive staff.

Fuller was the defensive coordinator at Chattanooga from 2009-12. He spent the 2008 season as the head coach at Assumption College.

Fuller coached cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. in 2020.

Very early look at Chargers’ odds for Super Bowl LX

Taking a look at what Vegas makes out of the Chargers winning it all next year.

It’s Super Bowl week…but not for the Chargers.

Instead, it’s that time when fans reminisce on what could be if their favorite team were in the Super Bowl and begin looking towards next year to get an early idea of what sportsbooks make out of their squad making it.

For the Bolts, they are the seventh overall favorite to win Super Bowl LX and fifth among AFC teams at +2500, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

The teams that have better odds than Los Angeles are the Chiefs (+600), Ravens (+650), Eagles (+700), Bills (+700), Lions (+950), 49ers (+1600), Commanders (+2000), Packers (+2000) and Bengals (+2000).

The Chargers are coming off an impressive season under Jim Harbaugh’s first year as the team’s head coach. They finished with an 11-6 record in the regular season and earned a spot in the playoffs.

Los Angeles is in great shape to bolster the roster, as they’re projected to have over $60 million in cap space to bring back some of their top players and sign free agents. Additionally, they are expected to have ten draft picks.

If general manager Joe Hortiz can hit a home run this offseason, the Chargers could make a deep run next season.

3-round Chargers mock draft: Post-Shrine and Senior Bowl edition

The Chargers add a disruptive interior defender and two pass-catching weapons.

Draft season is officially upon us, as the East-West Shrine Bowl and Reese’s Senior Bowl ushered the football world into February with a week of all-star showings. With intel beginning to circulate and players rising and falling based on their performance, things will only reach a fever pitch as the NFL Combine approaches at the end of this month.

Let’s take a moment to evaluate what the Chargers might do when the draft rolls around in April.

Round 1, Pick 22: Michigan DL Kenneth Grant

A different Wolverine – tight end Colston Loveland – has been the most popular pick for the Chargers in this spot, but the rising stock of Penn State’s Tyler Warren could pull Loveland above the 22nd spot. Grant attended the Shrine Bowl but only participated in interviews, where he told at least one media member that he’d love to reunite with head coach Jim Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and defensive line coach Mike Elston in LA.

A disruptive pass rusher from 1-technique, Grant would add a much-needed pass rush presence from the interior. Poona Ford and Teair Tart are free agents this offseason, which could magnify the need for a presence on the inside.

Round 2, Pick 54: Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins

Higgins was arguably the best receiver at this year’s Senior Bowl, as he showed a routine ability to run past defensive backs down the field and make tough catches. He finished the 2024 season with one of the lowest drop rates in the country as the Cyclones’ primary target.

The Chargers need a bona fide threat on the outside, with Ladd McConkey set in stone in the slot. Joshua Palmer is a free agent and Quentin Johnston has still not risen to the level LA thought he would when he was drafted 21st overall in 2023.

Round 3, Pick 87: LSU TE Mason Taylor

Another attendee of the Senior Bowl, Taylor looked smooth as a route runner in Mobile, consistently beating linebackers with quickness and defensive backs at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds. The son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, the LSU product also comes with an NFL pedigree.

While not an overly dynamic vertical route runner, Taylor fits nicely into a Greg Roman scheme that wants tight ends to find soft spots in zones underneath. A well-rounded player who will also be a solid blocker, Taylor could easily step in as a rookie starter despite his Day 2 landing spot.

Derwin James reveals Chargers’ biggest needs this offseason

Derwin James identified the trenches and wide receiver as the Chargers’ biggest positions of need heading into the offseason.

It’s no secret that the Chargers are a few moves away from becoming legitimate contenders in 2025. With over $65 million in cap space, the front office has the resources to improve this team this offseason.

Most of its issues come on the offensive side of the ball, as the Chargers had the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL in 2024. On Micah Parsons’ podcast, safety Derwin James reflected on which positions the team should go after this offseason:

“Like you say, you know, it starts in the trenches. We gotta secure the trenches and then get the guys on the outside that are gonna catch the ball and go do it and make plays.”

James is not wrong, as the interior offensive line and wide receiver are arguably the two most significant needs for this team. The defensive line remains a mystery as well, given the fact that Poona Ford is a free agent.

Ford was the unit’s best player in 2024, so it would be wise for the front office to do whatever they can to re-sign him. Center and right guard were liabilities along the offensive line this past season, so that’s where the front office will look to address.

The other three spots along the offensive line are locked down with young studs. Whether it be through the draft or free agency, there’s no doubt that the team will be going hard after the wide receiver position. A trade could even be a possibility, such as Cooper Kupp.

There’s nothing wrong with what James said, as he spoke nothing but facts. The veteran defensive back is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. As a result, he earned his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl.