Justin Herbert throws full support behind Brenen Thompson as Chargers breakout looms

We've made it. Training camp is finally underway, and Los Angeles Chargers fans can finally stop theorizing and see their team's new additions in action.

Obviously, the premier storyline of the month of August for Los Angeles will be the implementation of Mike McDaniel's scheme. What pieces will be able to carve out major roles in his outside zone-heavy, YAC-centered offensive attack? Will we see any surprises as McDaniel overhauls the Chargers' offensive hierarchy.

Their receiving corps, for example, is mostly set at the top. Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and Tre' Harris will be the team's primary receiving trio, and each player has a chance to take a major leap in the new offense.

But if there's any player that has the traits to be a surprise breakout candidate under McDaniel, it's rookie receiver Brenen Thompson. McDaniel campaigned for Thompson's selection during the Draft.

The new OC, though, isn't the only one who's become a Thompson believer. Justin Herbert spoke on the rookie in his media availability on the first day of training camp, and it's fair to say he's smitten as well.

Brenen Thompson could quickly become Mike McDaniel's darling— even as a rookie

McDaniel should be able to maximize the talents of Johnston, McConkey, and Harris this season. McConkey will likely serve as the team's primary pass-catching weapon out of the slot, and his pure agility in the open field should help him carve out that role relatively quickly. Johnston, meanwhile, will see his fair share of opportunities as an intermediate and downfield threat, leveraging his size and speed to take advantage of McDaniel's propensity for explosive plays. Harris will serve as a sort of go-between— he has the versatility to play between both roles when needed.

But none of these players possess what seems to be McDaniel's favorite trait— pure, unbridled speed.

Thompson posted the fastest 40 yard dash time at this year's NFL Scouting Combine: a historic mark that was the quickest since Xavier Worthy's in 2024. But his pedigree extends even beyond that. In his final college season at Mississippi State, Thompson led the SEC in receiving yards, finishing the campaign with 1,054 yards through the air and six touchdowns on 57 receptions.

He's not Tyreek Hill during his prime days with the Miami Dolphins. But there's, at the very least, an analogy to be drawn there.

McDaniel's offense tends to lean on condensed formations, reducing the amount of snaps available to the receiving room as a whole. But if Thompson can establish himself as a speed threat out of the slot, helping to take the top off the defense and flashing his skill set as a downfield pass catcher as a rookie, there could be room for him to flash some of what Herbert sees in him almost immediately.

And while the Chargers receiving room already has an established trio at the top, it never hurts to add another playmaker.

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