The Chargers are getting closer to their Week 1 showdown with the Chiefs in Brazil, with two weeks remaining until Los Angeles suits up for the season opener.
Here’s our prediction for what the offense will look like when Los Angeles lines up for their first play.
Quarterback: Justin Herbert
No surprise here. Herbert played one series this preseason at his own request and looked sharp as ever. Entering year two of the Greg Roman offense, the Chargers are expecting a huge season from their franchise signal-caller.
Running Back: Omarion Hampton
It’s looking more and more like Najee Harris will start the season on the Non-Football Injury list as he recovers from an eye injury, which would elevate Hampton, the team’s first-round pick this offseason, into the starting job. While Roman has suggested that the backs will rotate regardless of Harris’ health, Hampton would likely take the bulk of the workload with Hassan Haskins next off the bench.
Wide Receiver: Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston
Los Angeles will likely run a good bit of 12 personnel under Roman this season, so we’re projecting only two wide receivers to take the field to start the year. McConkey is the clear leader of the positional room after a stellar rookie season and will move all over the formation to create advantageous matchups. Johnston, if cleared from a head injury suffered last weekend, has remained LA’s primary sideline threat despite the performance of their two rookie receivers.
The third receiver in 11 personnel will be Keenan Allen, who rotated with McConkey between the slot and outside during their one drive together on the field last weekend. KeAndre Lambert-Smith replaced Johnston when he was injured against the Rams, but that could have been because the Chargers were primarily working second-rounder Tre’ Harris at the Z receiver position that McConkey plays for the second half of training camp.
Tight End: Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin
Oronde Gadsden II has been one of the biggest stories of training camp. However, it seems doubtful that he’s done enough for the Chargers to be prepared to put him on the field ahead of veterans Dissly and Conklin, who are both adequate blocking and receiving options. Gadsden is further ahead as a blocker than expected and will be a part of the rotation, especially on passing downs.
Offensive Line: Joe Alt, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton, Trey Pipkins III
With Rashawn Slater out for the season due to a torn patellar tendon, Alt will slide over to the left side and Pipkins will step back into the starting lineup as the right tackle, where he started in the 2023 season. The interior appears set with Johnson and Bozeman in their same spots as last season, and Becton stepping in as the lone free agency addition on the line.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Predicting the Chargers’ starting offense ahead of Week 1 vs. Chiefs
Reporting by Alex Katson, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
