The Los Angeles Chargers have focused on building their roster around star quarterback Justin Herbert over the last couple of offseasons, with 2025 being no exception.
They started by adding offensive guard Mekhi Becton to take over at right guard next to Joe Alt. The Chargers brought back wide receiver Mike Williams after a disappointing 2024 season with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.
During the 2025 NFL Draft, they selected Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris in the second round. The Chargers are hoping Harris takes a massive step forward in his rookie season, similar to what Ladd McConkey did last year.
Herbert and McConkey built such great chemistry last year that overreactions are surrounding the two's work together. While it is most likely an overreaction, it does open up an opportunity for Harris to explode onto the scene in 2025.
One Chargers overreaction from the media exposes the team's best strategy
Bleacher Report writer Brad Gagnon went through the 10 biggest overreactions that came out of the first week of OTAs. The Chargers were included on that list with "Justin Herbert to Ladd McConkey Is the Next Big Connection."
Gagnon did not completely dispute their growing chemistry working out, but brought up the point that other defenses are ready for it, and it could lead to Harris potentially having a great season.
"Ladd McConkey emerged as Justin Herbert’s go-to guy in 2024. Could the two take it to another level in McConkey’s sophomore season? It’s entirely possible, and it’s not a bad sign that they’ve apparently been connecting beautifully this offseason.
But again, consider the circumstances. Opposing defenses are studying the Chargers offense more than the Chargers defense is. And the Bolts will want to make a strong effort to work in rookie Tre Harris.
This feels like a potential fantasy football trap, at the very least."
McConkey was one of the top rookies in the NFL last year as the former second-round pick exceeded expectations. He finished with 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games and was ninth in the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. Herbert targeted him more than any other Chargers player, with 112 passes to him, and led the team in yards by over 400.
Harris proved, though, over the last two years with the Rebels, that he can be a complementary piece to the Chargers' passing game. The rookie was a second-team All-American with 1,030 yards and seven touchdowns with an average of 17.2 yards per reception. He ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and Next Gen stats gave him the eighth best score among wide receivers at the combine with 79.
Defenses will adjust to McConkey and ensure he doesn't get the looks he received a season ago. That'll open the door for Harris, Williams, and Quentin Johnston to pad the stats and have open windows in the field.
The Chargers need Harris to live up to the hype and play near or at the same level as McConkey. Harris' speed and ability to pick up yards after catch make him a dangerous threat in the open field. Los Angeles can utilize him in numerous creative ways with their play-calling.
Herbert-McConkey's overreaction is not more about the fantasy or statistical aspect of it; it's more about the potential Harris has to break out in 2025.