The LA Chargers’ offense has gone through plenty of changes in recent years, but with Jim Harbaugh at the helm and a clear focus on physicality, youth is now at the center of their identity.
Two names stand out as building blocks: wide receiver Ladd McConkey and rookie running back Omarion Hampton. Together, they offer a level of explosiveness that will keep defensive coordinators up late at night.
Ladd McConkey and Omarion Hampton are the future (and the present) of the Chargers
For the second-year man in McConkey, while he doesn’t boast the size of a prototypical No. 1 on the outside, his route-running, sensational hands, and alignment versatility inside and out gives Herbert another reliable weapon to complement the other pieces present in Los Angeles.
In the backfield, Hampton represents the power component of the youth movement. A product of North Carolina, the 220-pound ball-carrier has the unique ability to go through and around defenders, breaking tackles and finding paydirt.
But Hampton is much, much more than just a downhill thumper, though — his burst and balance through contact make him a three-down option who can keep the chains moving and thrive in Harbaugh’s run-first philosophy. With Austin Ekeler’s departure a few seasons ago, leaving a void in the offense, Hampton now has the chance to seize the featured role inside an offense that has searched for 'the guy' for some time.
What makes the pairing so intriguing is how naturally they fit alongside Herbert. McConkey offers timing, rhythm, and efficiency in the passing game, while Hampton provides the physicality to control tempo on the ground. And they'll need it following the season-ending injury to Rashawn Slater.
For an offense that has too often relied on Herbert’s arm to mask deficiencies, the pair of young playmakers could finally bring balance.
The Chargers aren’t a finished product — questions remain in how the new look front five will mesh, and the AFC West is as competitive as ever — but the foundation is promising. If McConkey continues to evolve as a high-volume chain-mover and Hampton emerges as a steady every-down back, Los Angeles may have found two cornerstones to grow with Herbert over, at least, the next half-decade.
In a division dominated by Kansas City in recent memory, closing the gap won’t be easy. But for the first time in years, the Chargers’ offense feels like it has a multitude of youthful options to rally behind, and Week 1