2025 LA Chargers Off-Season Updates Presented by GoldSheet | NFL Previews

The LA Chargers saw a six-win improvement in Jim Harbaugh’s first season at the helm. Have they made enough moves in the offseason to contend with the Chiefs at the top of the AFC West?

2025 LA Chargers Team Preview

AFC West Odds

Team	SB LX Odds	AFC	Division	Win Total
Chiefs	+800	+400	-120	11.5 (o EV / u -120)
Broncos	+2500	+1300	+300	9.5 (o -105 / u -115)
Chargers	+2800	+1400	+310	9.5 (-110)
Raiders	+12000	+5000	+2000	6.5 (o -145 / u +120)

Odds above courtesy of DraftKings as of June 26. The LA Chargers went 11-6 straight-up, 12-5 against the spread last season en route to a second-place finish in the AFC West. The Chargers lost to Houston in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

The Chargers were a good bully last season, going 10-2 straight-up in games where they were favored (both losses came as a favorite of less than a field goal).

LA Chargers Roster Moves

QBs on Roster: Justin Herbert (6th Year); Taylor Heinicke (2nd Year w/ Team); Trey Lance (1st Year w/ Team); and DJ Uiagalelei (Rookie)

Coaching Changes: No major changes. Head coach Jim Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Greg Roman and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter all return for their second season in LA.

Key Acquisitions: Cornerback Donte Jackson; Running back Najee Harris; Offensive lineman Mekhi Becton; Wide receiver Mike Williams; Center Andre James; and tight end Tyler Conklin

Key Departures: Defensive lineman Joey Bosa; Defensive tackle Morgan Fox; Cornerback Kristian Fulton; Defensive tackle Poona Ford; Running back J.K. Dobbins; and wide receiver Josh Palmer

2025 LA Chargers Draft Picks: R1 P22 Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina; R2 P55 Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss; R3 P86 Jamaree Caldwell, DL, Oregon; R4 P125 Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina; R4 P158 KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn; R5 P165 Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse; R6 P199 Branson Taylor, OT, Pittsburgh; R6 P214 R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson; R7 P256 Trikweze Bridges, CB, Florida

2025 LA Chargers Schedule

DraftKings has released its opening point spreads and totals for every game of the NFL regular season. The Chargers will open the season with a neutral site game against Kansas City in Brazil where heat, humidity and some questionable turf may be able to slow down the high-powered Chiefs’ offense. After that, DraftKings has the Chargers favored in ELEVEN-straight games.

****GS Line represents our projected point spreads using our summer power ratings. Special thanks to Ralph Michaels (@CalSportsLV) for his assistance in putting the schedules together with rest disparities and DraftKings’ opening spreads.

2025 NFL Rule Changes

• Touchbacks on a kickoff will now give the receiving team the ball on the 35-yard line instead of the 30 in an effort to increase more kick returns and discourage touchbacks.
• The regular season overtime rules will now match the postseason overtime rules, as both teams will now have an opportunity to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first drive. Per Jon Ferrari of the Eagles, 37.5-percent of last year’s overtime games ended with a first-drive touchdown. The new rule will allow both teams to have the ball.
• The video review booth will have an increased role in assisting the on-field officials. The video assistants can’t put a flag on the field if they believe that the officials missed a call, but they can pick one up if an erroneous flag is thrown (i.e. a facemask penalty is called, but upon video review, it’s determined that the facemask was never actually grabbed).
• Artificial intelligence and lasers will be used to determine the remaining yardage for a first down. The officials are still responsible for spotting the football just like they always have, but technology will now do the job of the chain gang and they will no longer have to run in from the sidelines for a first down measurement. Once the official places the ball down, lasers will determine if the offense reached the first down line and/or how far away they are from reaching that mark.
• Teams that are trailing will now be able to attempt an onside kick at any point in the game from the 34-yard-line (instead of the traditional kickoff spot at the 35-yard-line). Previously, teams were only able to attempt an onside kick in the fourth quarter.

2025 Football GoldSheet Early Bird Special

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WagerTalk Live Odds Screen

WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the moneylines, point spreads, totals and betting percentages for all of the LA Chargers games from their release in May all the way through Week 1 in September. Find free NFL picks from season win total bets through Super Bowl futures on our free picks pages.

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