Alohi Gilman is learning firsthand how quickly a player can go from a cult hero to someone who is viewed as a liability. After his slow start to the 2025 season, LA Chargers fans are starting to view the safety as the latter.
Gilman, taken in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, became a massive fan favorite as his role with the Chargers started to grow. By the time he became a free agent in 2024, Gilman established himself as someone the Bolts couldn't afford to let go — even with a new regime in the front office.
The former Notre Dame star is in the second year of the two-year deal he signed 18 months ago and Chargers fans have shifted their perspective. Gilman has struggled early in 2025, culminating in an awful snap where he got caught looking at a play-fake, leaving Courtland Sutton completely undefended on a 52-yard passing touchdown.
I have no idea if Alohi was supposed to get help here, or if he was straight-up beat. Either way, awful way to end what was otherwise a dominant defensive half. pic.twitter.com/sR5LFDdmyI
— Bolt Beat (@BB_Chargers) September 21, 2025
Chargers fans are turning on Alohi Gilman to start the 2025 season
One bad rep isn't the sole reason for fans changing their tune about Gilman, this is simply the defining moment of what fans view as an underwhelming start to the season for the veteran safety.
Gilman posted a paltry 29.6 defensive grade on Pro Football Focus for his efforts on Sunday. PFF grades are by no means the only way to judge players, but it's worth noting just how bad of a grade he received. The tape matches the grade.
To be fair to Gilman, he is coming off a great game against the Las Vegas Raiders in which he posted a grade above 80. However, Geno Smith's insistence on forcing the deep ball may have played into that just as much as Gilman's efforts did. In Week 1, he posted a much more modest 62.6 grade.
The real sore spot in Gilman's game right now is his play in coverage. That has always been the weaker spot of Gilman's game, whereas his tackling and ability to create turnovers were what got him paid. In this defense scheme, though, one bad coverage rep (look above) can have a massive impact on the final score.
Gilman will continue starting as Elijah Molden recovers from an injury that has sidelined him the last two weeks. Once Molden returns, though, it will be compelling to see how the team uses Gilman along with veteran Tony Jefferson, who has been playing well, and rookie R.J. Mickens, who fans are thrilled about.
At the end of the day, the Chargers are at their best when Gilman is playing well and is forcing turnovers on defense. That should be the outcome everyone is rooting for. But right now, fans are finding it harder to see that reality.