Highlight: Chargers TE Donald Parham gets his second of season

The Chargers got on the scoreboard first.

The Chargers converted on the Vikings’ turnover misfortune to open the scoring.

After Alohi Gilman took the ball away from Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson, LA drove 79 yards in 12 plays. Justin Herbert was methodical on the drive, peppering the boundaries with throws to six different receivers.

After a seed to Allen on the sideline gained 25 yards and put the Chargers in the low red zone, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore drew up an RPO. Herbert read the Vikings defensive end and pulled the ball from Joshua Kelley, finding a wide open Donald Parham for the tight end’s second touchdown of the season.

Highlight: Chargers QB Justin Herbert passes for first touchdown of season vs. Dolphins

First of many for Justin Herbert.

Justin Herbert is on the board.

The Chargers’ gameplan has been run-heavy early on against the Dolphins, with plenty of success to be had by Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley. Herbert has had his moments as well, but the passing game took a bit of backseat in the first half.

Even so, Herbert got his first passing touchdown of the season in the second quarter. On a third and goal, the quarterback fired a laser to tight end Donald Parham Jr., who kept the ball high and away from his defender DeShon Elliott to secure the touchdown.

The pass put the Chargers up 14-10.

PFF: Chargers’ worst offensive players in preseason loss vs. Saints

Here are the worst-graded players on the offensive side of the ball, per Pro Football Focus.

The Chargers lost to the Saints in the second preseason game of 2023, 22-17.

Along the way, they had some key contributors on offense, but there were some who did not help as much. Here are the worst-graded players on that side of the ball, per Pro Football Focus.

PFF: Chargers’ top offensive players in preseason loss vs. Saints

Here are the top 10 Chargers offensive players and what their grades were the preseason loss to the Saints.

The Chargers lost to the Saints in the second preseason game of 2023 on Sunday, 22-17.

Despite the loss, they still had some key contributors on offense. Here are the top players on that side of the ball, per Pro Football Focus.

5 offensive storylines to follow as Chargers begin training camp

The top storylines to follow on the offensive side of the ball as Brandon Staley and the Chargers begin training camp.

On Wednesday, the Chargers begin their first step to constructing their 53-man roster for the 2023 season as training camp begins at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

As it gets underway, let’s take a look a look some of the top storylines on each side of the ball. We will begin with the offense.

1 player to watch at each position during Chargers’ 2023 training camp: Offense

Here are the offensive players to watch for at Chargers training camp.

After a few months of retooling the roster, the Chargers are set to begin training camp, which kicks off next Wednesday, July 26, at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

During that time, starting spots and roster spots, in general, will be earned. That said, we’re listing a player to watch for at each position, starting with the offense.

Chargers 2023 roster review: TE Gerald Everett

Gerald Everett should continue to be a vital piece in the passing game in his second season with the Chargers.

The 2023 season is just a month away, and with weeks of dead time during the quietest part of the NFL offseason, Chargers Wire is endeavoring to document each of Los Angeles’ players before the start of the team’s training camp.

The Chargers found a consistent safety net for quarterback Justin Herbert to target last year when they acquired tight end Gerald Everett in free agency ahead of the 2022 season.

Everett finished with career-highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (555) in 2022. The 29-year-old tight end benefited from both wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams missing four-plus games last season.

Everett enters the 2023 season in a crowded pass-catching group after the addition of first-round pick Quentin Johnston. Still, with Kellen Moore as the new offensive coordinator, Everett should see plenty of targets, as Moore favors the tight end spot in his scheme.

Contract (2023): $1,500,000 base salary, $2,500,000 prorated bonus, $4,000,000 cap hit.

Acquired: Everett signed a two-year $12 million dollar contract with the Chargers during the 2022 free agency period after spending time with the Rams and Seahawks in previous seasons.

Quote: On his budding relationship with Justin Herbert:

“We’re really trying to gel in any way that we can. I’m not really trying to force anything here, just letting it happen organically and letting Justin do the rest himself. Obviously, he’s a great quarterback and a great person. He goes through his reads. With him being as big as he is, he can see the entire field with a three-step, five-step or seven-step [drop], it doesn’t matter. I think Justin has a great feel for the game.”

Highlight:

Projecting the Chargers’ tight end depth chart in 2023

Projecting what the Los Angeles Chargers tight end room will look like in the 2023 season.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be breaking down the depth chart for each Chargers position.

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Next up, I project what the tight end room will look like heading into the 2023 season.

 

Biggest remaining needs for the Chargers after 2023 NFL draft

Here are some of the Chargers’ most glaring position needs that they should look to address.

In the draft, the Chargers addressed wide receiver, edge defender, linebacker, offensive line, defensive tackle and quarterback.

However, Los Angeles still has remaining needs that they must consider filling before the 2023 season to avoid holes in the roster.

Here are some of the Bolts’ most glaring needs that they should look to address before camp in the new couple of months:

Chargers 2023 NFL draft preview: Where does Los Angeles stand at tight end?

Our Chargers’ NFL draft preview series continues with the tight end position.

After taking a steady approach in free agency, signing just one external player in linebacker Eric Kendricks and re-signing a handful of their own, the Chargers now have their sights set on the draft where they will look to bolster their roster with their selections and make a deeper run in 2023.

Before, we’re going position by position to break down where Los Angeles stands entering the draft.

Next up is tight end, after we’ve previously profiled the quarterback, running back, and wide receiver positions.