Tag: Chargers OTAs

Chargers announce 2024 offseason workouts, OTA dates

Find out when the Chargers will start their offseason workout program.

The start of the 2024 regular season is still months away, but preparations for it are set to begin this week.

The NFL released the schedule for each team’s offseason workout programs, including the Chargers’ dates.

Below is the team’s official news release on the program schedule.

  • First Day: April 2
  • Organized Team Activities (OTAs): May 20-21, May 23, May 29-31 and June 4-7
  • Mandatory Minicamp: June 11-13

Because Jim Harbaugh is a new head coach, Los Angeles can start earlier than other NFL teams.

CB J.C. Jackson at Chargers OTAs, participating in on-field individual drills

J.C. Jackson is progressing really well.

Cornerback J.C. Jackson was on the field going through individual drills at Chargers organized team activities (OTAs) on Friday.

Jackson has been out for the last seven months after suffering a season-ending patellar tendon injury against the Seahawks.

Since then, Jackson has steadily been working his way back to full health, posting videos of him working out on his Instagram. Last month, he said the goal is to be 100% when the season gets here.

After starting his career with the Patriots, Jackson signed a five-year contract worth $82.5 million with Los Angeles last offseason.

Jackson’s first season with the Bolts wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows as he struggled to find his footing in Brandon Staley’s defense, leading to getting benched. And then the injury occurred.

Jackson could boost the Chargers’ defense if he can get back to live-game shape and play like the All-Pro corner he once was with New England.

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston receives praise from idol Davante Adams

Fanatics shared a heartwarming documentary short showing the rookie class being surprised with positive words and advice from their idols.

Fanatics shared a heartwarming documentary short showing the rookie class being surprised with positive words and advice from their idols. Colts QB Anthony Richardson received a personal message from Tom Brady, Ravens WR Zay Flowers heard from Steve Smith Sr., and Chargers WR Quentin Johnston heard from his idol Davante Adams.

Fanatics aimed to give the rookies a moment they would never forget and welcome them into the league with words of affirmation and a signed jersey from their idols that they have always looked up to. Johnston was one of the only rookies in the class to receive his message from a player still in the league – a player he will see at least twice a year and compete against within his own division.

Adams was the player that Johnston watched the most in college, and Adams extended a compliment to Johnston in his video message today, stating, “[I’m] proud of you man, big fan of you and the way you play the game.” Earlier this off-season, Johnston discussed how he models his own game after Adams on Good Morning Football, saying, “From his release to the way he makes his routes look different… Even though our playstyle is still different, I still try my best – especially off the line.”

Johnston has been showing out at camp, getting great separation from the secondary and garnering significant praise from coaches and players alike – including his ‘football idol.’

Chargers QB Justin Herbert shows updated throwing mechanics at OTAs

Justin Herbert went to work on his throwing mechanics this offseason and it is noticeable.

Over the course of the 2022 season, the Los Angeles Chargers had their struggles. From injuries to the offensive scheme, it wasn’t an easy road to the playoffs — and someone whose production was reduced because of this was quarterback Justin Herbert.

Since entering the league in 2020, Herbert has stood out among young quarterbacks, touting impressive stat lines, athleticism and an elite pocket presence. In 2021, he remained one of the top five QBs in the league in nearly every possible stat. The expectation was that production would continue to increase, but with a rib injury, an injured roster and a scheme that failed to highlight his best qualities, the production dropped. Yet through these highs and lows in his first three years, one thing has been consistent: his throwing mechanics.

For his first three seasons, Herbert often used a low-release, sidearm throwing motion. It continued into the 2022 season and could have been a byproduct of his rib injury or just a general coaching strategy on Shane Day’s part. As we watch Herbert in OTAs this summer, we can see a clear change in the way he passes the football. His release is higher, the arc of the pass is lifted and thankfully the velocity is still elite.

This is very good news for Chargers fans. With a healthy wide receiver corps and an exciting new scheme from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, the uptick in Herbert’s production should be highly noticeable. Even at 6-foot-6, Herbert struggled with batted passes because of his lower release and a more predictable offense in 2022. The higher release should reduce the amount of batted balls. On top of this, Moore’s projected offensive scheme will allow Herbert to increase his yards per play.

Many elite quarterbacks in the NFL end up working on their mechanics and having success afterward. We saw this happen when Josh Allen had the opportunity to focus on his mechanics with now Giants head coach Brian Daboll. Immediately after working on his mechanics, Allen was having MVP-level seasons and leading his team to the playoffs year in and year out. Daboll continued this success by elevating the mechanics and production of Daniel Jones in 2022. This type of work bodes well for the future of the Chargers franchise QB.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen on importance of OTAs: ‘I use it as a lift’

Keenan Allen talked about his mentality at Chargers OTAs.

Wide receiver Keenan Allen is a seasoned veteran at this point of his NFL career but still chooses to participate in the Chargers’ organized team activities to stay sharp ahead of each new season.

One of the team’s unquestioned leaders, Allen talked about the importance of the offseason workouts, emphasizing the benefits he sees from taking part in the annual tradition.

It helps me get into shape I use it as a lift. I get the lift in, get the meetings. Obviously, we have the new coordinator, so I want to know all of the terminology so that I can play fast myself, so that I can help the young guys — when we break the huddle, get them lined up when they need help. Make sure that everybody is on the same page. We need old guys out here, too.

In 2022, Allen missed seven games due to a hamstring issue, finishing with 66 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns.

The 10-year wideout has been vital to the Bolts’ offense throughout his professional career. During that span, Allen has caught 796 passes for 9,287 yards and 52 touchdowns.

While he is getting up in age, set to be 31 this season and coming off an injury-riddled campaign, Allen is productive when healthy. He is still one of the best route runners in the league. He is a safety blanket on third down.

Chargers OC Kellen Moore ‘excited’ to work with RB Austin Ekeler

Kellen Moore should get a lot out of Austin Ekeler.

The Chargers will have a crucial piece of their offense in the fold this upcoming season, as running back Austin Ekeler agreed to a revised contract with incentives up to $1.75 million.

Plenty of people are excited to see Ekeler in the blue and gold for the 2023 season, especially his new offensive play-caller Kellen Moore.

“Excitement,” Moore said. “Really excited to get to work with Austin. I think that he’s been, obviously, one of the top guys in this league. He has had such an impact on this place. Really excited to start building this thing together and building his role in this offense. I’m really, really excited.”

Los Angeles hopes to improve their run game, led by Ekeler, after finishing near the bottom of the league last season. And with Moore calling the shots, there’s a good chance for a turnaround, as he engineered three top-10 rushing offenses in the four seasons as the Cowboys offensive coordinator.

Additionally, Ekeler should continue to be a weapon as a receiver. Dallas implemented RB Tony Pollard heavily in the passing game. Pollard had a 21.8% target share when on the field for receiving snaps, which ranks 23rd among 116 running backs from 2019 to 2022.

Chargers mandatory minicamp, which begins on June 13, should mark the first time Moore and Ekeler are able to start establishing a concise connection and get a good game plan going.

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston impressing at OTAs

Quentin Johnston has looked sharp early on.

The Chargers are hopeful that wide receiver Quentin Johnston can provide a boost for their offense. And early on, as the team is amid their OTAs, Johnston has shown glimpses of being able to do that.

One of the areas of improvement for Johnston coming into the NFL was his route running, which has looked impressive.

Johnston has been sharp in his routes and quick in and out of his breaks, including on a rep where he beat cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.

Throughout the pre-draft process, Johnston was knocked for his hands, catching balls with his body and not meeting throws with ideal arm extension. But he has shown refinement in that department.

Keenan Allen heaped high praise on Johnston. Allen has been impressed with and said his “athletic ability” is through the roof.

While it’s only been in practice, the Chargers hope he can continue to develop his game and be more explosive at wide receiver and on offense, coming in the form of Johnston.

Chargers’ Brandon Staley expects Austin Ekeler to be at mandatory minicamp

The Chargers began OTAs on Monday and Austin Ekeler was a non-participant.

The Chargers began their 2023 voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday. Nearly all players were in attendance, but there was one notable who was not: running back Austin Ekeler.

Despite being absent, head coach Brandon Staley said he expects Ekeler to participate in mandatory minicamp, which begins on June 13.

Ekeler is seeking a new contract as he is in the final year of his current deal and is set to make $6.2 million this season.

Los Angeles granted Ekeler and his agent permission to seek a trade partner earlier this month after negotiations on a contract extension did not progress.

Ekeler believes the product that he has put on the field is worth garnering a paycheck that puts him near the top of the running back market. He has 38 total touchdowns in the past two seasons, the most among NFL skill players in that timeframe.

Ekeler is an extremely valuable piece, but his positional value might not be considered important enough by Los Angeles or other teams to pay him more.

It will be interesting to see if the Bolts budge and decide to iron out some extension for Ekeler or if he chooses to hold in and threaten to sit out.

Chargers announce 2023 offseason workouts, OTA dates

Find out when the Chargers will start their offseason workout program.

The start of the 2023 regular season is still four months away, but preparation for it is set to get underway soon.

The NFL released the schedule for each team’s offseason workout programs, including the Chargers’ dates.

Below is the team’s official news release on the program schedule.

  • First Day: April 17
  • Organized Team Activities (OTAs): May 22-23, May 25, May 31-June 2, June 3, June 6-7, June 9
  • Mandatory Minicamp: June 13-14

WR Jalen Guyton draws praise after standing out at Chargers OTAs

Brandon Staley highlighted Jalen Guyton as a standout player.

While position battles won’t take shape until training camp begins next month, organized team activities (OTAs) is still plenty for coaches to take away from practices with the new season’s roster.

For the Chargers, wide receiver Jalen Guyton was a player who raised eyebrows throughout the sessions.

Guyton, who will be competing with Josh Palmer for the third spot at the position, shined not only at catching the football but also on special teams.

“Jalen Guyton was fantastic in the offseason,” Brandon Staley said. “This guy made a lot of big plays for us in the spring. Really did a nice job on special teams. We kind of challenged him to be a factor in the kicking game. I think he’s looked really good out there.”

Last season, Guyton turned 48 targets into 31 catches for 448 yards (14.5 yards per reception) and three touchdowns.

Known for his great size and speed combo at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds with a 4.3 40-yard dash, the coaching staff is using that to their advantage by lining Guyton up at gunner with the punt team.

“To be a good receiver, you have to beat press, so that’s a natural part of your job,” Staley said of Guyton playing gunner. “Trying to create as much value for him as possible. Understanding that’s going to be a big factor in him being in the league for a long time and hopefully making his way in this league.”

A gunner is a member of the special teams in charge of getting down the field and tackling the kick returner on kicking plays.

As new special teams coordinator, Ryan Ficken looks to construct his best personnel, Guyton could ultimately be a valuable piece for his group.