Los Angeles Chargers 2025 Season Preview
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Jevone Moore/L.A. Sentinel)
In Year 2 of the Harbaugh regime, the Chargers should take a step forward and maybe even push for the AFC West title. If the offense can become more well-rounded, they will be one of the most formidable teams in the conference.
Departures: The Chargers said goodbye to plenty of key pieces in the offseason. RB JK Dobbins, RB Gus Edwards, WR Simi Fehoko, WR DJ Chark, WR Josh Palmer, EDGE Joey Bosa, DL Poona Ford, DL Morgan Fox, CB Asante Samuel Jr., and CB Kristian Fulton all found new teams. At the time of writing this, LT Rashawn Slater went down with a torn patellar tendon, meaning he will miss the entire 2025 season. A loss of one of the best left tackles in football fresh off a historic contract extension is not what the doctor ordered going into a potentially franchise-altering season.
Additions: GM Joe Hortiz brought in IOL Mekhi Becton and CB Donte Jackson to multi-year deals while signing QB Trey Lance, RB Najee Harris, TE Tyler Conklin, EDGE Da’Shawn Hand, and CB Benjamin St. Juste to one-year contracts.
Draft Selections: The Chargers continue to build their identity unapologetically through the draft. In an age where drafting a running back in the 1st round is frowned upon, especially after signing a running back in the offseason, they did it anyways. Hortiz took UNC RB Omarion Hampton in the 1st round. In the 2nd round, they took a big boundary receiver in Ole Miss WR Tre Harris. They addressed the trenches in an attempt to replace Poona Ford in the 3rd round with Oregon DT Jamaree Caldwell. I also expect SAF RJ Mickens, EDGE Kyle Kennard, and TE Oronde Gadsden to make an impact throughout the season.
Season Predictions: The Chargers open the season in Brazil for their “home game” against the Chiefs. They return from Brazil to play in Vegas against the Raiders on Monday Night Football, host the Broncos, and travel to the east coast to play the Giants. The Chargers start the season 3-1.
Week 5 sees the Commanders come to LA. The Chargers then go to Miami to play the Dolphins, and come back home to host the Colts and the Vikings on Thursday Night Football. The Chargers go 2-2 in October.
They start November on the road against the Titans, then play the Steelers at home on Sunday Night Football, and go on the road to play the Jaguars before a Week 12 bye. Out of the bye, they host the Raiders to finish the month of November. I have the Chargers going 3-1 in November.
The Chargers start the final stretch of games on Monday Night Football at home against the Eagles. Following the clash with the Super Bowl champions, they face the runners-up in the Chiefs on the road, play the Cowboys in Dallas, the Texans at home, and end the season on the road against the Broncos. The Chargers go 2-3 in this span.
Final Thoughts: The Los Angeles Chargers will finish the 2025 season with a record of 10-7. They will hope to squeak into the playoffs in a crowded AFC. However, 10 wins will not be enough to steal the division from the Chiefs.
