ClutchPoints
The Los Angeles Chargers have their hands full after the reported arrest of a defensive player. But a different defender is getting hyped up for what he thinks will be a big season. Still, the defense gives rise to the Chargers’ biggest reason to panic after the start of the 2025 NFL training camp.
It turned out to be a good season for the Chargers in 2024. But head coach Jim Harbaugh and the team want bigger and better things. For that to happen, they will need to defense to step up and consistently make plays. That’s because the offense isn’t a sure bet to win shootouts.
And it’s possible the defense won’t be able to answer the bell, according to bleacherreport.com. Quite bluntly, things could go south in a hurry, according to Brad Gagnon.
“The league’s No. 1 scoring defense from 2024 is exposed as phony in several awful late-season performances and becomes a major weakness,” Gagnon wrote.
Good performances from rookies would help. And the Chargers got that from undrafted cornerback Nikko Reed in the team’s preseason game, according to chargers.com.
“Derwin [James] said it right, Derwin said [Reed’s] a baller,” Harbaugh said. “Really happy for his success tonight.
“To Nikko’s credit, there’s a lot of guys who might not be working through something. He’s been working through stuff and still playing good. That bodes well. You start thinking about him as a real football player.”
Reed picked off a pass and returned it 60 yards in the first quarter of last week’s game.
“Man, it felt great,” Reed said. “First NFL game as a rookie, third down, money down. I felt the route, knew it, and just went. Seen the ball, grabbed it, and went.
“I read it. And I felt like he was going to do that. As soon as I seen him break out, jumped under it, and I saw the ball. I’m always hoping to score, but I was thinking about it too much. I should have scored.”
If Reed makes the team, he could be an added boost that helps the Chargers’ defense avoid sinking.
“Of course I want to make the 53[-man roster], but I like to live in the moment,” Reed said. “I just take it one day at a time, one foot in front of another. I got to do everything I got to do to make that team, but I got to get through the day first.”
Of course, it depends on who you listen to when assessing the Chargers’ hopes for 2025. Despite ranking No. 2 in 2024, nfl.com didn’t include the Chargers in its top-10 rankings for this season.
However, others view the Chargers in the underrated group, according to nytimes.com.
“Defensively, look for tone-setting linebacker Daiyan Henley to build on last season’s career year while rookies Jamaree Caldwell and Kyle Kennard help bolster the front seven,”...
