As Jim Harbaugh came in and turned the Los Angeles Chargers from a 5-12 laughingstock into an 11-6 playoff team in just one season, there are naturally high expectations heading into the 2025 campaign.
And while not everyone is sold on the Bolts being able to move forward or even maintain the success they had a season ago, Julian Edelman has high hopes for Los Angeles in Year 2 of the Harbaugh era.
In fact, the Super Bowl 53 MVP, who now works for Fox Sports and was in attendance for the Chargers' final day of training camp, went so far as to say that he believes this team has a genuine shot to unseat the Kansas City Chiefs atop the AFC West.
"They got to come off and build on the year they had last year," Edelman told Omar Navarro of Chargers.com. "Without a doubt, you know they're going to be competitive."
"I expect them to be very good. They got the quarterback, they got the coach, they got a good first-round running back," Edelman added. "There's a lot of good things to build off the thing they had the year before. I expect them to compete for the division."
Julian Edelman praises Chargers, wide receiver Ladd McConkey
That's a pretty bold take, seeing as the Chiefs have won the AFC West for the last nine seasons. But Edelman is excited about what this Chargers team can bring to the table, especially now that Harbaugh has had a year to shape this team in his vision.
Let's not forget that Harbaugh took the San Francisco 49ers to the postseason in his first year with the team after they'd gone 6-10 the season before and then took them to the Super Bowl in Year 2. Edelman didn't make mention of that, but it's certainly something to think about.
As an analyst, Edelman naturally had to make some comments on the Chargers' defense, saying he's interested in who can step up. But as an offensive player, he was naturally far more interested in how Los Angeles will perform on that side of the ball.
"I want to see the offense," the three-time Super Bowl champ said. "I want to see Justin Herbert with another year, I want to see Omarion Hampton. Getting that ball going forward and running the football, they got Najee Harris as well. They got two really good running backs. ... I'm excited for that."
RELATED: Chargers' most notable roster battle is finally decided after preseason finale
And, of course, given the similarities between himself and Ladd McConkey, who recently discussed his own expectations, Edelman made sure to discuss his admiration for the Chargers' second-year star and says he can't wait to see what the 23-year-old has in store this season.
"I'm excited, Year 2 is always a huge jump for everything, all players," Edelman said. "Being familiar with the system, being familiar with the environment, being familiar with the players, allows him to get more creative with his work. I'm excited to watch him."
Like the rest of us, Edelman will get that chance soon, as the Chargers kick off their season next Friday against none other than the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, September 5, in Brazil.