Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal brings more to the field than his emerging NFL talent.

During a recent Sunday night broadcast, commentator Mike Tirico mentioned a surprising piece of his background: Vidal is the great-nephew of legendary baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. The revelation immediately drew interest amongst the Sunday Night Football crowd.

The Chargers promoted Vidal from the practice squad to the active roster in 2025, giving him his first meaningful opportunities at the professional level. At 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds, he runs with power and balance, traits that have blended well within the team’s offensive scheme. Coaches have highlighted his toughness and instincts, both of which have helped him adjust quickly to the NFL.

Vidal’s family story adds another layer to his rise. Aaron, who hit 755 home runs and held baseball’s career record for decades, remains one of the most revered figures in sports history. Athletic ability also runs through Vidal’s immediate family, as his father, Kwame Vidal, played running back at Florida A&M. Though Kimani’s career has taken him to football rather than baseball, the connection to Aaron reflects a lineage rooted in competitive excellence.

After being drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Vidal showed up in Los Angeles with a good resume from Troy University. He developed into one of the program’s most productive backs, ending his college career with 4,010 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns. During the 2023 season, he was awarded the Sun Belt’s Offensive Player of the Year award for both his consistency and his power back nature, showing out for himself as a potential valuable asset for this year’s Chargers roster. 

Family relationships in pro sports aren’t uncommon. NBA stars Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, for example, learned they were cousins after both reached the league. While Vidal’s tie to Aaron is more distant, it remains a meaningful part of his personal story.

Since joining the active roster, Vidal has rushed for over 400 rushing yards in his first eight games. As he continues to carve out a role with the Chargers, his emerging career now carries the added depth of a historic family connection spanning two major sports.

The Los Angeles Chargers returned to winning ways on Thursday Night Football after a commanding 37-10 home victory against the Minnesota Vikings.

Quarterback Justin Herbert recorded three passing touchdowns for the third time this season. The former Oregon QB completed 18 of his 25 passing attempts, notching 227 yards as well as tallying 62 rushing yards from seven carries.

The team sought to improve from last weekend’s defeat, where the Indianapolis Colts outmatched the Chargers in a 38-24 home defeat. Herbert threw two interceptions during that loss, but he looked to bounce back heading into Thursday’s game at SoFi Stadium.

“(It was) a big opportunity for us to go and correct some of our mistakes,” the quarterback said after the win against Minnesota. “I thought all three phases did that and it’s just good to see a Chargers win.”

In the rushing field, Chargers running back Kimani Vidal responded from last weekend’s struggles – where he finished with 20 rushing yards – by running 117 yards and scoring one touchdown on Thursday.

“Kimani’s done such a great job of just stepping up and making plays,” Herbert said on his running back. “In the past couple weeks, he’s done an awesome job, whether it’s catching or running out of the back field, he’s a true leader. Great teammate on this team and glad to have him.”

The Chargers return to the field on Nov. 2 when Herbert and co travel east to face the Tennessee Titans.

Going into week four of the NFL season, banter between teams is just getting started. The New York Giants secured their first win of the season with a 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. It was Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart who stood out. He passed 111 yards, rushed 54 yards, and scored. His dynamic debut not only helped the Giants earn a much-needed victory but also gave fans a glimpse of a promising future under center.

After their win, they decided to troll the Chargers by posting a pic of a broken charger on their X page captioned, “Low power mode,” a jab at their name and poking fun at their lack of energy late in the game.

The Seattle Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night, 23 to 20. Arizona tied it up with only 28 seconds left. In the final moment of the game, it was a 52-yard field goal from Jason Myers that won them the game. After this nail-biter of a game, the Seahawks decided to post a graphic of the team driving monster trucks in the Arizona desert, dirtying the rival team’s jerseys.

Teams are starting to get a little more creative with their social media banter, adding a new element to the game.

From the Giants’ “broken charger” post to the Seahawks’ monster truck graphic, playful trolling has become a staple of the NFL’s online culture. These moments don’t just entertain fans, but they keep the tradition of rivalries alive long after the final whistle, adding a new twist to the culture.

The Chargers entered the Jim Harbaugh era in 2024. The newly hired head coach, who had just won a national title with Michigan, stepped back into coaching the NFL after a nine-year break. The Chargers had a great season, going 11-6 and making the playoffs, led by quarterback Justin Herbert. The playoffs would end in typical Chargers fashion, with a 32-12 loss to the Texans, marked by Herbert throwing four interceptions. Los Angeles exceeded preseason expectations, having a breakout season from rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who went for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.

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The Chargers entered the offseason needing to add more pieces to their roster, which was already a contender for the Super Bowl. They signed running back Najee Harris from the Steelers, who has had over 1,000 yards every season since being drafted in 2021. They also boosted their running game by signing guard Mekhi Becton from the Eagles, who was a key part of their Super Bowl run from a season ago. They also signed other notable players, including cornerback Donte Jackson, quarterback Taylor Heinicke and tight end Tyler Conklin. After upgrading the offense, the Chargers’ run game will dominate, which Harbaugh has been known for throughout his entire coaching career.

In the draft, Los Angeles held the 22nd overall pick and selected running back Omarion Hampton out of North Carolina University. Hampton will pair up with Harris in what should be one of the better backfield duos in the NFL. They also made other significant selections, such as wide receiver Tre Harris from Ole Miss in the second round, giving Herbert another weapon to expand the offense. They then added to the defense by drafting defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell out of Oregon in the third round.

The Chargers enter 2025 with Super Bowl hopes, having the 12th most challenging schedule in the NFL. Their biggest game of the year comes in week one, against their division rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, in São Paulo, Brazil. The Chargers will need to get past the Chiefs this season if they want to win their division for the first time since 2006. Other key games for the Chargers will be Week 5 vs. the Commanders, Week 10 vs. the Steelers, and Week 14 vs. the Eagles. The Chargers will have their work cut out for them in 2025, aiming to secure Justin Herbert’s first career playoff win and return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1996.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS SCHEDULE & TICKET DEALS

• Week 1: Sept. 5 vs Kansas City Chiefs (in São Paulo, Brazil)
• Week 2: Sept. 15 at Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 3: Sept. 21 vs Denver Broncos
• Week 4: Sept. 28 at New York Giants
• Week 5: Oct. 5 vs Washington Commanders
• Week 6: Oct. 12 at Miami Dolphins
• Week 7: Oct. 19 vs Indianapolis Colts
• Week 8: Oct. 23 vs Minnesota Vikings (Thursday Night Football)
• Week 9: Nov. 2 at Tennessee Titans
• Week 10: Nov. 9 vs Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday Night Football)
• Week 11: Nov. 16 at Jacksonville Jaguars
• Week 12: Bye Week
• Week 13: Nov. 30 vs Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 14: Dec. 8 vs Philadelphia Eagles (Monday Night Football)
• Week 15: Dec. 14 at Kansas City Chiefs
• Week 16: Dec. 21 at Dallas Cowboys
• Week 17: vs Houston Texans
• Week 18: at Denver Broncos

Los Angeles Chargers Games/Season Odds

The Chargers head into the season with +2800 odds of winning the Super Bowl and +1400 odds of winning the AFC championship. They will, however, be underdogs in their opening game vs the Chiefs at +2.5, but are favored in 13 of their games this season. 

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris sustained a minor injury in a Fourth of July fireworks mishap.

“Najee Harris was present at a Fourth of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees,” Doug Hendrickson told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network in a statement. “Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season.”

The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in March to play a key role in rebuilding the Chargers’ rushing offense. If Harris were to miss any time, the Chargers would have to lean heavily on first-round rookie Omarion Hampton. He ran for 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, and left the Steelers ranked sixth in rushing yards in franchise history.

It has been eight years since the Chargers had a 1,000-yard rusher, when Melvin Gordon ran for 1,105 yards in 2017.

Since then, the Chargers have searched but failed to build an effective rushing offense. Even last season, when coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff boasted about the running game they would create in L.A., the team finished below the league average in rushing yards per game (110.7).

In 2024, he ran for 1,043 yards in 17 games, scoring six touchdowns and helped the Steelers make a fourth playoff appearance in five years. He made his only Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021.

This week, Harris finally appeared at training camp, but a face covering sparked greater concern about his condition.

The Chargers are scheduled to open their season on September 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil.

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa appears to be rounding the corner on a training camp injury with the season approaching. Bosa no longer had a club on his fractured hand, replaced with a heavy glove. Bosa stated he broke his hand during a practice with the cross-town Rams on August 4, requiring surgery for the oft-injured star. Bosa explained his emotions in a press conference last week on how he handled getting injured and how he plans to play through it.

“It sucks. I mean, the first second you get injured, you have a million thoughts go through your head and most of them are negative. I was feeling really good about the place I was heading to, and I still do. I went through the woes for a couple days and, you know, got good news and, you know, moved on.”

“I’m feeling confident about having to perform, especially with another full week,” he added.

The last few seasons have been disappointing for Bosa after securing a five-year contract worth $135 million in 2020. In two years, the former Ohio State star and first-round pick only appeared in 14 games as injuries took their toll. To stay on the Chargers roster this season, Bosa took a pay cut and has no guaranteed money on his contract after 2024.

The Chargers made multiple changes to their defense in the off-season in hopes of sparking a unit that struggled in recent seasons. New head coach Jim Harbaugh brought defensive coordinator Jesse Minter from Michigan to man the same position. The team also signed pass-rusher Bud Dupree to pair with Bosa and veteran Khalil Mack.

According to BetMGM, the Chargers are +110 to make the playoffs and +4000 to win the Super Bowl. However, with a healthy Justin Herbert at quarterback and a new coaching staff, many around the team are expressing renewed optimism for 2024.

New Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has brought optimism back to southern California. Ever since leaving the Michigan Wolverines after the team was champions of college football in 2023, Harbaugh has set his sights on igniting the Bolts. The Bolts aim to surround quarterback Justin Herbert with a supporting cast to lift the franchise back to the postseason.

With a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chargers’ front office must make an important decision about which roster position to bolster. 

They decided the top offensive lineman prospect was too good to pass up.

Former Notre Dame OT Joe Alt was selected fifth overall in Thursday’s draft. Most mock drafts projected Alt as a top-10 pick and potentially generational at his position.

According to the Los Angeles Chargers website press release on the draft, Dane Brugler of The Athletic praised Alt for his traits controlling the line of scrimmage. “Alt stays light on his feet with the big-man agility, body control and instinctive recovery skills to become a high-level run blocker and above-average pass protector,” he said.

Brugler believes that Alt can have an impact, adding that he has “the pedigree to be a cornerstone player for an NFL franchise.”

Before the draft, taking a wide receiver with their first-round pick seemed like a real possibility- nearly every top receiver prospect would still be available. Players like Washington’s Rome Odunze, LSU’s Malik Nabers, and Texas’s Adonai Mitchell would all be worthy additions to Herbert’s arsenal on offense. 

However, rumors also circulated that the Chargers could use their draft leverage and trade their first-round pick. They could have swapped picks with a team that might want to trade up to select a quarterback, possibly the Minnesota Vikings or Las Vegas Raiders. 

Ultimately, Harbaugh and the Chargers front office have given fans hope that the team can turn its fortunes around after a disappointing 5-12 finish in 2023. Now, they must continue to instill trust within the fan base as the calendar inches closer to the start of the regular season.

Just 16 days after winning the national championship on a perfect 15-0 season with the Michigan Wolverines, Jim Harbaugh signed to become the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

L.A. fired their previous head coach, Brandon Staley, after a disappointing 5-12 season with quarterback Justin Herbert.

Harbaugh led Michigan to an 86-25 record since his arrival in 2015, but his latest season was marked with two three-game suspensions, one self-imposed and the other coming directly from the NCAA. And with winning the college football national championship and sitting on top of the mountain, Harbaugh looks to start fresh, this time in the professional realm.

“The only job you start at the top is digging a hole, so we know we’ve got to earn our way,” Harbaugh said. “This organization is putting in the work — investing capital, building infrastructure and doing everything within its power to win. Great effort equals great results, and we’re just getting started.”

Before at Michigan, however, Harbaugh was head coach with the San Fransisco 49ers, leading them to a 49-22-1 record while reaching the Super Bowl in 2012. In his time in the Bay Area, Harbaugh made three NFC championship games in four years, while also winning NFL Coach of the Year in 2011. With his current NFL coaching record, Harbaugh ranks fifth in all-time coaching win percentage with a minimum of 50 games, right behind legends such as John Madden and Vince Lombardi.

After playing quarterback at Michigan from 1983-86, Harbaugh jumped around the league playing with teams such as the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts. Though his first time coaching the Chargers, Harbaugh also played for the team from 1999-2000 as quarterback, going 6-11 in games he started and threw for 4,177 yards, 18 touchdowns and 34 interceptions in that span.

Though he didn’t set Hall of Fame level stats as a quarterback, Harbaugh’s time as a player helped jump-start his coaching career from 2004 on. Since his move to coaching, beginning with the University of San Diego 20 years ago, Harbaugh has an all-time head coaching record of 182-72-1 in college football and the NFL.

“You don’t build a résumé like Jim’s by accident, and you don’t do it by yourself,” Chargers president John Spanos said. “You need a team. And nobody has built a team more successfully, and repeatedly, in recent history than Jim Harbaugh. His former players swear by him, and his opponents swear at him. Jim is one of one.”

With the Chargers hiring Harbaugh, Herbert and the team look to make a playoff run next year. Michigan, on the other hand, now has some decisions to make. They will surely see many players leave through the transfer portal as well as the NFL draft, and have to do a bit of a restart after winning the national championship.

Most importantly, they need a new head coach and someone who can confidently take the reigns after Harbaugh. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore coached the team in four of the six games Harbaugh was suspended for, winning all of them and putting himself in a strong spot to land the job. Other notable names still on the table for Michigan to hire are Kansas head coach Lance Leipold and Baltimore Ravens coordinators Todd Monken and Mike Mcdonald. 

University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh dodged questions about the Los Angeles Chargers at a Rose Bowl press conference Wednesday. Harbaugh has been named as a potential candidate for the NFL team’s head coach position in 2024.

Harbaugh is currently preparing the Wolverines for a College Football Playoff matchup with Alabama in the Rose Bowl. The winner of that game advances to play either Washington or Texas for the national championship.

The Michigan head coach is currently under investigation for recruiting violations and has also been barred from the sideline during games more much of this season for allegations of sign stealing. But instead of focusing on his potential future in college football or the NFL, Harbaugh has repeatedly stated that he is focused on the present moment.

“Yeah, just a very one-track mind about this game,” Harbaugh said. “Right now, just have fun with the family and the team and the players…. We’re gonna enjoy ourselves. And then get back to business, see if we can’t dominate the day. Got some good meetings tonight. We’ll wake up tomorrow and practice, see if we can’t dominate that day. … One day at a time, one play at a time, and that’s how we’re approaching each day.”

Rumors about Harbaugh returning to the NFL have come about as a result of the Chargers’ profound struggles and the coach’s own issues in college football. Shortly after the Chargers emphatically fired coach Brandon Staley after an embarrassing 63-21 loss to the Raiders, Harbaugh was hit with renewed allegations from NCAA officials that Michigan violated a number of recruiting guidelines.

Harbaugh has coached in the NFL twice, most notably as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. In 2012, he led San Francisco to the Super Bowl but the team lost to the Baltimore Ravens, coached by his brother, John Harbaugh.

The Chargers have gained a reputation as one of the NFL’s worst underachievers in recent years. The team has quarterback Justin Herbert leading an offense featuring stars Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen.

The team also has household names like Nick Bosa and Khalil Mack on defense. Despite all this, Los Angeles has not won a playoff game since 2018 and notoriously blew a 27-point lead to the Jaguars in the Wild Card round last year.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams had to leave early with a knee injury during the Charger’s week three matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

Before the injury, Williams had six catches for 110 yards and a touchdown before having to leave with an injury in the third quarter. He was then helped off the field and was carted off to the locker room. 

The Chargers now are concerned Williams won’t be available for the season, they are thinking the knee injury will be significant. 

With seven years under his NFL belt, Williams’ has had 230 receiving yards for the Chargers’ first three games. William has not played a full season in 5 years. He missed four games in the 2022 season. The Chargers are currently 1-2, winning their first game against the Vikings 28-24 on Sunday. 

A number of NFL teams are reportedly interested in signing free agent Ezekiel Eliott for the 2023 season. Elliott was released by the Dallas Cowboys Wednesday, but the star running back’s next team could be quick to take him off the market.

Of all the teams that could potentially benefit from signing Elliott, the Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills have been pegged as the likeliest suitors. The Chargers will likely be in the market for a running back very soon, as star Austin Ekeler has requested a trade and would leave a gaping hole in the team’s offense. Elliott offers a very different skillset to Ekeler’s but has also worked well with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in the past.

The Bills are another obvious candidate as the team looks for some way to overcome perennially stiff competition in the AFC this season. Josh Allen has proved to be a revelation for the team’s passing game and the defense is highly reputable, but running backs Devin Singletary and James Cook were somewhat underwhelming. Elliott could provide experience to Buffalo’s backfield and give the team another dimension on offense.

While Los Angeles and Buffalo are most likely to sit down with Elliott, there will certainly be other teams inquiring about the former Dallas power runner. The Kansas City Chiefs have taken chances on players like Elliott in the past and always seem to have cap space despite a prolifically talented offense. The Baltimore Ravens could also prove to be a fortuitous landing spot as well, though the team will likely have to sort out negotiations with Lamar Jackson before it can consider other major contracts.

The market for running backs is fairly small this offseason as most teams are either satisfied with their current system or would rather spend less on younger talent, as the Buccaneers did when they signed Chase Edmonds to a one-year deal Thursday. Elliott’s status next season also depends on how much he asks for, as his best seasons are behind him and a short-term deal would likely suit most teams best. For the right price, however, he could make a difference for a team in need of his services.

The Los Angeles Chargers revealed Wednesday that wide receiver Keenan Allen will miss the team’s Thursday Night Football matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring injury. Allen exited the Chargers’ game last week in the second quarter and didn’t return.

Before he exited the game, Allen was having an excellent start to his 2022 season, catching four passes for 66 yards in less than one half. His departure didn’t prove too costly for Los Angeles, which went on to win 24-19. If he misses more time, however, his absence could become more apparent.

As young quarterback Justin Herbert’s favorite target, Allen has given the Chargers’ offense stability when he has appeared on the field. Though Herbert has performed well without Allen in the past, he also depends on him heavily when he’s available, targeting him at least eight times in all but two games last season.

In Allen’s absence Week 1, veteran receiver DeAndre Carter filled in and had a productive day, catching three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Joshua Palmer is also expected to have an increased role in the offense without Allen.

The Chargers’ injury report also indicates that tight end Donald Parham Jr. will also miss the game with a hamstring injury, further damaging Los Angeles’ receiving corps. Cornerback J.C. Jackson is questionable with an ankle injury.

This is not the best week for Los Angeles to compete with a depleted roster, as they will have to take on their division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on primetime television. In Week 1, the Chiefs’ offense was outstanding, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 360 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-21 rout against the Arizona Cardinals.

Herbert will have to out-duel Mahomes Thursday night with Mike Williams and a handful of backups. Kansas City’s defense didn’t disappoint last weekend either, as the team held quarterback Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to seven points through three quarters. It’s safe to say that Allen will be missed regardless of the result.

Tight end Gerald Everett has agreed to a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, though terms of the deal were not announced.

Chargers 2021 tight end Jared Cook is a free agent, and the 27-year-old Everett is seven years Cook’s junior. Their production is similar, so the move to get younger makes sense.

Last year, his first as the top tight end on a depth chart, Everett caught 48 passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns with Seattle; Cook had 48 receptions for 564 yards and four touchdowns.

Everett had his follies, though: he had a two-fumble game and also missed two contests due to the COVID-19 list.

Over five NFL seasons, Everett has tallied 175 receptions for 1,867 yards and 12 touchdowns in 76 regular-season games.

The Kansas City Chiefs outlasted the Los Angeles Chargers, 34-28, in overtime Thursday night at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium to balloon their winning streak to seven games.

Chiefs (10-4) tight end Travis Kelce hauled in the game-winning, 38-yard touchdown pass from Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes about a minute into overtime, and that was all she wrote.

Kelce finished with 10 catches for 191 yards and two touchdowns, while teammate Tyreek Hill tallied 148 yards and a score on 12 grabs.

Mahomes finished 31-for-47 for 410 yards, three touchdowns, and a costly interception. He did finish strong, though, with scoring passes on each of the final three drives for KC, which opened up a two-game lead in the AFC West and became the first AFC team to 10 wins.

With about two and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, L.A. quarterback Justin Herbert led his team on a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a Keenan Allen TD grab to make it 28-21 in the Chargers’ favor.

However, Mahomes answered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive of his own that lasted just 1:03 to knot things up. Each team had more more possession before OT.

Herbert finished 22-of-38 for 236 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

The Chargers (8-6) squandered opportunities throughout the game; inside the KC 5-yard-line, they were stopped twice on fourth down and fumbled on another possession. The team finished 2-for-5 on fourth-down attempts.

Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo had his jeep stolen from him. Koo then took to social media to plead for the return of his cleats.

On Sunday, Koo walked out to discover that his black Jeep Grand Cherokee was gone. The 26-year-old kicker posted an Instagram story about it. “Mfs stole my Jeep smh,” Koo captioned an Instagram story showing the empty parking spot where his now-missing car was. Koo then wrote an interesting caption expressing that all he wants is his cleats back. “Can you just bring my cleats back tho,” he wrote in a separate Instagram story. “I won’t even be mad bro just bring all my cleats back so I can go kick.”

Koo began his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. He only played in four games and was 3-of-6 on field-goal attempts. He was only 1-for-4 from 40 yards or more from the goalposts. The kicker then spent time with the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football before signing with the New England Patriots practice squad during the 2019 season. However, he was released just a few days later.

The Falcons signed Koo in 2019 to replace long-time kicker Matt Bryant. Koo had an immediate impact by posting a historic season. The South Korean native led the league in field goals, converting 37-of-39 (94.9%), and went 33-for-36 (91.7%) on extra-point attempts. He also surpassed Bryant for the franchise record in a single season and became the first player in team history to make at least eight field goal attempts of 50-plus yards without a miss. He scored a career-high 144 points in 15 games and was named to his first Pro Bowl.

Koo re-signed with the Falcons in the offseason and is slated to start 2021 as their kicker.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are continuing to make critical moves in the offseason. The latest move for the franchise tied for the most Lombardi trophies in NFL history is the signing of edge rusher Melvin Ingram to a one-year contract.

Bud Dupree previously had filled the role, but the free agent departed for the Titans this offseason.

“You can tell he’s very involved and a players’ coach. That’s what stood out to me. He wants to win,” Ingram said in an interview. “My role is my role. He just told me to come in and be me. Everyone knows how I play.”

Ingram will have to beat out Alex Highsmith for the starting role, who currently is slated to man the position.

Ingram has had a strong NFL career. He was drafted in the first round in 2012 and spent nine seasons with the Chargers. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Ingram was limited in the 2020-2021 season due to a knee injury, playing in just seven games. Last year was the first time the stalwart rusher failed to record a sack. The Chargers did not re-sign Ingram, leading to his deal with Pittsburgh.

The Bolts will be entering the season with the intention of building their solid young core. Last season saw the emergence of rookie quarterback Justin Herbert as an explosive offensive quarterback. Herbert broke multiple rookie records and won the NFL Offensive Rookie of The Year award. Herbert’s rookie season exceeded all expectations and was the shining revelation for the future of the franchise. Entering this new season, Herbert has lofty expectations. The team is hoping he can replicate last season’s performance.

The Chargers will also begin the season with a new coaching staff. The team fired Anthony Lynn as head coach and replaced him with former Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Staley hired former Saints quarterback coach Joe Lombardi as the team’s new offensive coordinator. Former Broncos defensive backs coach, Renaldo Hill, was hired as the new defensive coordinator. Los Angeles signed Pro Bowler Jared Cook in the offseason. It is a big upgrade to the team’s tight end position and for their offense.

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Los Angeles Chargers Schedule:

• Week 1: Sun 09/12 a Washington Football Team
• Week 2: Sun 09/19 vs Dallas Cowboys
• Week 3: Thu 09/26 at Kansas City Chiefs
• Week 4: Mon 10/04 vs Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 5: Sun 10/10 vs Cleveland Browns
• Week 6: Sun 10/17 at Baltimore Ravens
• Week 7: BYE
• Week 8: Sun 10/31 vs New England Patriots
• Week 9: Sun 11/07 at Philadelphia Eagles
• Week 10: Sun 11/14 vs Minnesota Vikings
• Week 11: Sun 11/21 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 12: Sun 11/28 at Denver Broncos
• Week 13:Sun 12/05 at Cincinnatti Bengals
• Week 14: Sun 12/12 vs New York Giants
• Week 15: Thu 12/16 vs Kansas City Chiefs
• Week 16: Sun 12/26 at Houston Texans
• Week 17: Sun 1/02 vs Denver Broncos
• Week 18: Sun 01/09 at Las Vegas Raiders

AFC West: The Chargers finished third in the division last year, only one game behind the second-place Raiders within the division standings. The Chiefs will win the division since they are the favorites, but the Chargers could finish second. The Chargers just need to do better in close games this year. They lost so many contests last year by one score or less.

Matchups: The Chargers will begin their season with pretty even matchups with Washington and Dallas. Weeks 3-6 will be a stretch of tough games with the Chiefs, Raiders, Browns and Ravens. Luckily, following their bye week, they will face easier teams until Week 15, when they face the Chiefs again. Their final three games are fairly favorable and all are winnable contests.

Overall: The Chargers will begin the season with high expectations for Herbert as the team’s starting quarterback. They added Cook to bolster their offensive potential. Herbert’s offensive production will depend on the new coaching staff’s style. Los Angeles’ schedule is mixed, with tough opponents in the middle before a stretch of more winnable games.

Prediction: The Chargers will finish with a record of 9-8.

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The NFL Draft kicks off in just a few days. After a free agency full of moves and a few trades within the first round, let’s take a look at how the first round could play out.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

This selection is quite obvious. The Jaguars have a dire need at the quarterback position and Lawrence might be the best quarterback prospect to enter the draft since the likes of Peyton Manning. That is very high praise for a guy who has never played a professional game, but this kid has done nothing but win at every level. Jacksonville will improve dramatically on offense.

2. New York Jets: QB Zach Wilson, BYU

The Jets very well could have had the No. 1 pick in the draft, but after winning a couple games that they had no business even trying to win, they have the second pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With this selection, all signs point to Wilson. Now that the team has traded away Sam Darnold, the Jets need a new signal caller. Although there are arguments to be made for other quarterbacks, Wilson is clearly the second-best player at his position entering the draft. The Jets will enter a new era with Wilson at the helm. He should start next season.

3. San Francisco 49ers (Trade from Miami): QB Justin Fields, Ohio State

The Niners made a surprising move to trade up to the third spot in the draft. The only reason they would do this is to snag a quarterback to take Jimmy Garopollo’s place. While I could see them taking Trey Lance, I think Fields is the better fit in Kyle Shannahan’s system. The Niners will absolutely take the third consecutive quarterback to start off the draft.

4. Atlanta Falcons: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida

While Atlanta could also use a quarterback as we get into the waning years of the Matt Ryan era, Ryan still has enough in the tank to lead Atlanta to the postseason if surrounded by the right weapons. Pitts is probably the top prospect in this year’s draft class. The Falcons will be extremely happy to get the talented tight end out of Florida. Pitts can immediately make an impact on the offensive side of the ball.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon

The Bengals need to make a decision about whether they want to add another playmaker for quarterback Joe Burrow, or whether it makes more sense to add a strong prospect who can protect the star quarterback from getting beaten and bruised. I think Cincinnati invests in Sewell, who will be the left tackle for many years for this franchise. 

6. Miami Dolphins: WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU

The Dolphins are in a dream scenario after moving up and down the draft board. They moved back from the No. 3 spot because they believe they can get their guy with the sixth pick. The Dolphins are in desperate need of a top wideout, and Chase is the best in this year’s draft class. He will surely help Tua Tagovailoa develop in his second year.

7. Denver Broncos (*Mock trade from Detroit): QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State

I am predicting a draft-night trade with the seventh pick. Expect the Lions to move down as the Broncos take the No. 7 pick and select Lance as the new quarterback of the future. Although Denver already has Drew Lock on the roster, Lock has not shown that he can be a better than average signal caller in the NFL. Expect a quarterback competition in Denver after the Broncos select the skillful Lance out of North Dakota State.

8. Carolina Panthers: OG Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

After trading for Darnold, the Panthers will simply select the best player to compliment their new quarterback. With Christian McCaffrey already in the backfield, and talented wideouts D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson on the roster, Carolina will address the offensive line by selecting Slater.

9. Detroit Lions (*Mock trade from Denver): WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

The Lions have no problem moving back a few picks because they still get their man in the standout wide receiver from Alabama. The Lions lost Kenny Golladay this offseason so Waddle is the perfect replacement. It will be interesting to see how the rookie works with veteran quarterback Jared Goff in his first season in a Lions’ uniform.

10. Dallas Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

This seems like a no-brainer decision to me Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. They are desperate for help in the secondary and Surtain is the safest bet at his position in this draft class. Two players from the Crimson Tide go back-to-back in the 2021 NFL Draft to close out the top ten picks.

11. New York Giants: LB Micah Parsons, Penn State

The Giants almost never select a linebacker in the first round, but the talent is too much to pass up with the eleventh pick of the draft. Parsons is a tackling machine and will help this defense improve to the next level. He should start right off the bat. Although some think the Giants need another skill player, the addition of Golladay filled that need. I think general manager Dave Gettleman goes with the best available player on the board.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (Trade from Miami): WR Devonta Smith, Alabama

The Eagles tried to move up in the draft but the price was just a bit too high. Instead, they moved back and will still be able to address their biggest need, which is wide receiver. The Eagles will add Smith, who should help quarterback Jalen Hurts improve in his second year as the Eagles’ starting quarterback.

13. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

The Chargers have all the right pieces at the skill positions on offense, however, the offensive line is severely lacking. Drafting the talented tackle out of Virginia Tech will allow quarterback Justin Herbert more time to hit his targets. 

14. Minnesota Vikings: EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan

The Vikings should definitely address the defense with their first pick; the question is whether they should select a pass rusher or a cornerback. In a very tough position, I expect the Vikings to go with Paye, the pass rusher out of Michigan. 

15. New England Patriots: QB Mac Jones, Alabama

The Patriots have had a hectic free agency and have made plenty of moves. However, there are still many questions surrounding quarterback Cam Newton. Mac Jones would be an excellent choice here. The Pats can let Newton mentor Jones until he is ready to start himself. This would be a dream scenario for Bill Belichick and New England. 

16. Arizona Cardinals: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

After losing Patrick Peterson to the Vikings, the Cardinals are in desperate need of some help in the secondary. Horn is the perfect guy to take the Pro Bowler’s place.

17. Las Vegas Raiders: OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC

The Raiders have a lot of needs to fill, but I expect head coach Jon Gruden to make sure his team gets a solid offensive lineman. Vera-Tucker can basically play anywhere on the offensive line, making him the perfect fit in this offense. 

18. Miami Dolphins: EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami (Fla.)

The Dolphins are still looking for more defenders who can help bring head coach Brian Flores’ defensive vision to life. Phillips is a solid hybrid defender who offers imposing size and is effective when rushing the passer.

19. Washington Football Team: LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky

Washington needs help on the offensive line, the wide receiver position and in their linebacker corps. In an extremely tough decision, Washington selects the strong linebacker out of Kentucky. 

20. Chicago Bears: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech

The Bears are absolutely looking to trade up in order to grab a talented quarterback. However, if no deal can be made, they will surely be happy if Farley falls this far. After cutting Kyle Fuller for salary cap reasons, Farley would be the perfect replacement at the cornerback position. He is arguably the best defensive back in his class, though there are plenty of question marks surrounding him due to previous injuries.

21. Indianapolis Colts: EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia

Ojulari has the explosiveness and length that should intrigue the Colts. Not to mention, his character fits exactly the type of culture that Chris Ballard has built over the years. Edge rusher is absolutely the biggest need for the Colts, and although this team does not always draft solely off of need, Ojulari is too talented to pass at this point in the draft.

22. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest

Due to the insane depth at cornerback and wide receiver in this draft class, the Titans can wait on what they need most in order to select the best available player in Basham Jr. out of Wake Forest.

23. New York Jets (Trade from Seattle): CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern

The Jets gave some of their young corners the opportunity to showcase their skills in New York’s secondary last season, but none proved capable or dependable as a starter. Still, Joe Douglas didn’t sign a single cornerback in free agency. That is why Newsome is an obvious choice if he lasts this long. He should have a significant shot at starting Week 1 and should help improve New York’s inexperienced secondary.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Najee Harris, Alabama

Now that James Conner has signed with the Cardinals, the Steelers need a running back who can play plenty of snaps. Benny Snell is not going to get the job done. However, selecting Harris out of Alabama could turn out to be a home run pick. Running backs out of Alabama have always fared well in the NFL. And with Big Ben only able to play for a couple more seasons, the Steelers have no choice but to go all in. 

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (Trade from Rams): S Trevon Moehrig, TCU

While it is very possible that the Jags could take a wideout to help out their new quarterback, Moehrig also makes a lot of sense here. Jacksonville addressed the safety position by signing Rayshawn Jenkins in free agency, however, he may be better suited to play linebacker or at least closer to the line of scrimmage. Moehrig is the best safety in this year’s draft class and would give the Jaguars a solid option in coverage. 

26. Cleveland Browns: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama

Adding Barmore to play alongside Myles Garrett creates one of the strongest defensive lines in the NFL. That is just too tough to pass up, even if there are more glaring needs in Cleveland.

27. Baltimore Ravens: WR Kadarius Toney, Florida

The Ravens need a wide receiver or three if they are going to help Lamar Jackson and the offense get to the Super Bowl. While Mark Andrews and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown are fine players, Baltimore absolutely needs another playmaker to help spread the field for Jackson and the running game. Toney is the perfect fit for the Ravens.

28. New Orleans Saints: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame

The Saints have one of the best offenses in the league so they should absolutely address the defensive side of the ball with their first selection. While they would love to snag an interior lineman here, there aren’t any who are quite valuable enough, so instead they will be happy with the playmaking linebacker out of Notre Dame.

29. Green Bay Packers: WR Elijah Moore, Ole Miss

The Packers absolutely need a wide receiver to help Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams on offense. Moore will compliment the offense nicely and give Rodgers another top-tier player to target on passing downs.

30. Buffalo Bills: EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn State

The Bills don’t have any glaring needs, but if there was one part of the team that isn’t very deep, it would be the pass rushing. It’s unlikely that Oweh could enter the lineup on day one in 2021, however, he presents as a really solid project. If Oweh is given some Tim to fill into his 6-foot-5 frame and get used to the professional level, he could turn into a very special sack specialist. 

31. Baltimore Ravens (Trade from Kansas City): OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan

The Ravens just traded Orlando Brown to the Chiefs for this pick, so it should be no surprise to see them take the talented offensive tackle out of Michigan with the penultimate pick of the first round. Mayfield is solid enough to eventually be a franchise player on this offensive line. And Lamar Jackson absolutely needs the protection.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Travis Etienne, Clemson

Yes, the Buccaneers already have Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette. They also signed Gio Bernard and drafted Ke’Shawn Vaughn in the third round just last year. All that being said, Vaughn is the only one of those running backs under contract past the 2021 season. Adding Etienne, one of the premier running backs in this draft class, will make the Bucs’ running attack formidable for years to come. Plus, you know Tom Brady won’t be complaining about another skill player who can contribute in this offense. 

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The NFL draft is coming up on the horizon, and that means that any last-minute draft trades could come up.

The latest trade that made a buzz was a deleted tweet by the Los Angeles Chargers. In a deleted tweet, the Chargers announced that they had agreed to a trade with the New York Giants ahead of the draft. The deleted tweet announced that the Chargers are receiving the Giants’ 11th pick in exchange for the 13th pick and a 2021 third-round pick.

The deleted tweet made rounds as multiple outlets and reporters reported on the tweet. However, it was then revealed to be a photoshopped tweet. Companies like Pro Football Focus, who are dedicated to providing stat analysis to the NFL, NCAA, and networks such as NBC, FOX, CBS, ESPN and NFL Network were fooled. When it was revealed to be a doctored tweet, PFF just posted a screenshot of themselves reporting the photoshop and captioned it with, “Posted and deleted by PFF.”

While the photoshopped tweet fooled many on Twitter, does it have any merit? Well, it does not because Giants general manager David Gettleman does not trade back. Last week, Gettleman talked about how in his last eight drafts, he never traded back. “You guys don’t believe me: I’ve tried in the past!” Gettleman said. “Honest. I’ve tried to trade back, but there’s gotta be the value I’m not getting fleeced… I refuse to do it and if somebody wants to make a bad trade back, God bless ‘em.”

The New England Patriots have been perhaps the most active team this offseason as they try to find their way in the aftermath of the Tom Brady era. Last season, the Pats finished 7-9, which was good for third place in a growingly competitive AFC East. 

After re-signing Cam Newton to a one-year deal, acquiring tight end Jonnu Smith, adding wideout Kendrick Bourne, trading for offensive lineman Trent Brown, and signing Nelson Agholor, the Patriots are still spending money to try and compete with a Buffalo Bills team that is primed for success. 

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, New England is signing former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry to a three-year, $37.5 million deal, including $25 million guaranteed.

The 26-year-old tight end played outstandingly well with rookie quarterback Justin Herbert in 2020. Henry produced a career-high 60 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns. 

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has always utilized a two-tight-end approach, so its no surprise that following the signing of Smith, the Patriots went out and grabbed Henry. Don’t forget that this is the same coach that often put Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez on the field at the same time.

Now coach Belichick will have Henry and Smith to help address a position that has been below league average since Gronkowski left the Patriots in 2018. No other team in the NFL has had lower pass-catching production from tight ends over the past two seasons. 

Henry will join a New England squad that has undergone a complete overhaul at the playmaking positions. 

Henry has not played a full season in his NFL career yet and missed the final two games of the 2020 season after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He also missed the entire 2018 regular season after tearing an ACL. Then in 2019, the tight end missed four games after suffering a tibial plateau fracture in a Week 1 victory over the Colts. 

After being selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2016 draft, Henry has produced 196 receptions for 2,322 yards and 21 touchdowns in his five NFL seasons.