The Chargers’ Ladd McConkey (15) runs to finish an 86-yard landing catch because the Texans’ cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) trails. McConkey, who had an NFL rookie playoff report 197 yards in 9 catches, may use one other working mate at receiver.
(Ashely Landis / Related Press)
Justin Herbert’s struggles would be the last, bitter impression of the season after he had 4 passes intercepted in opposition to the Texans. Till he will get over the hump, Herbert’s lack of postseason success is the last word hurdle earlier than he cracks the highest echelon of quarterbacks.
Nonetheless, the Chargers have to maintain surrounding their star quarterback with expertise.
A record-setting rookie season put Ladd McConkey forward of former first-round choose Quentin Johnston because the Chargers’ high receiver. McConkey, a second-round draft choose in 2024, added to his franchise rookie season data for receiving yards (1,149) and catches (82) by ending the yr with 197 yards receiving in opposition to the Texans, an NFL rookie playoff report.
Johnston took a step ahead throughout his second skilled yr with 711 yards receiving and eight touchdowns throughout the common season, however had a team-high 9.8% drop price amongst receivers, in response to Professional Soccer Focus, which exacerbated issues from his rookie season.
Johnston had starring moments, together with a 13-catch, 186-yard outburst in opposition to the Raiders in Week 18, but additionally was held with out a catch in opposition to the Ravens and the Texans, regardless of 5 targets in every of the crucial video games. He had 4 mixed drops within the video games.
“The reality of it is you can’t go back and redo it,” Johnston stated. “So sometimes you got to turn on your highlight tape and turn on some good plays you did, kind of just remind yourself, like, ‘yeah, I’m capable of doing what I said I can do.’ Obviously I wasn’t brought here for no reason.”
Main free agent signing D.J. Chark Jr. by no means made an affect after a preseason hip harm value him eight video games. He settled for 4 catches for 31 yards and one landing throughout the common season with yet one more catch for 15 yards in opposition to the Texans. He got here aboard because the Chargers’ solely receiver with a 1,000-yard season to his credit score and now hits free company once more after the quietest season of his profession.
The Chargers have greater than $73 million in cap area this offseason, in response to overthecap.com. The entire ranks fourth-most within the NFL.
