There’s been a steady stream of updates coming out of the Los Angeles Chargers organization over the past week. Nothing that completely flips the script, but enough to start shaping how this offseason is going to be viewed. Between comments by head coach Jim Harbaugh, roster moves, and a few lingering questions, it’s the kind of stretch where things start to come into focus.
Let’s get into some recent noteworthy items.
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh praises Akheem Mesidor
After the NFL Draft last week, head coach Jim Harbaugh discussed during a press conference how the Chargers first round draft pick Akheem Mesidor complemented Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack.
“All-down player, where we call them three-down or four-down players. That’s what he is. Inside pass rush, outside pass rush. You hear the talk about the designated pass rusher, but he can also fit the run from the inside gaps, and he can build the run wall on the edge. That’s the versatile player. I won’t compare him to anybody because that’s always unfair, but he’s just a top player that, as Joe said, we didn’t think was going to be there. We’re super excited when he was. It’s that versatility. When you get versatile players along the line of scrimmage, you can get creative with that. You line them up in a lot of different spots and let them get after it.”
GM Joe Hortiz discusses why they priortized the edge
In the same press conference, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz discusssed why the prioritized the edge over the offensive line.
“Best player available. He was top of the board. We talked about this being a deep draft. The first round can be volatile depending on needs and how teams are building, but once you get into the second, third, fourth rounds, there are going to be linemen available, corners available, defensive linemen available. It’s a good draft throughout the middle rounds, and we feel good about what we’re going to be able to accomplish over the next couple days.”
Chargers exercise option on 5th year option on Quentin Johnson
A interesting roster decision was made by the Los Angeles Chargers this week, as the team picked up the fifth year option on wide receiver Quentin Johnston’s rookie contract. The choice will keep him around until 2027, as the team still believes in him as of now despite his erratic start to his professional career.
It makes sense from a team perspective, given how the receiver has continued to progress since arriving on the roster. While it was a slow start to his career after being a fairly underwhelmed receiver his rookie year, Johnston has looked better and better over the course of the past two years, taking on more responsibilities and establishing himself as a solid contributor in critical situations. The progress, while not all the way to elite status, usually is more than enough for teams to make an additional year bet on a player.
There is also a tactical advantage. Making this move allows for the team to further observe Johnston over the next two years and still not have to make a commitment for an extension in this current offseason. The organization is still keeping their former first-round selection around, and he should still be contributing, as the team will continue to evolve around him, and so will the expectations that are associated with him. This seems to be a clear and obvious decision if Johnston continues his trend upward. If not, the team still has options at that point.
The clock is ticking on Justin Herbert
The expectations around the Los Angeles Chargers are only growing as the offseason unfolds, and the pressure on Justin Herbert continues to build. As one recent analysis put it, the window is open now, and it will not stay that way forever. Read more: Justin Herbert and the Chargers Need to Win the AFC West This Season
