The Los Angeles Chargers have continued to shape their roster around franchise quarterback Justin Herbert, with the 2025 offseason offering no deviation from that strategy.
The team kicked things off by bolstering their offensive line, bringing in Mekhi Becton to slot in at right guard alongside Joe Alt. In the receiving corps, the Chargers reunited with Mike Williams following an underwhelming 2024 campaign split between the Jets and Steelers.
Their focus on offensive firepower extended into the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris in the second round.
The organization is banking on Harris making an immediate impact, drawing comparisons to Ladd McConkey’s breakout rookie season in 2024.
Herbert and McConkey developed such strong on-field chemistry last season that some observers have begun to speculate on the duo forming the league’s next elite quarterback-receiver partnership.
While that may be an overstatement, it does present an opening for Harris to emerge as a key offensive weapon.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon included the Chargers in his roundup of the top 10 overreactions from the first week of OTAs, spotlighting the buzz around “Justin Herbert to Ladd McConkey Is the Next Big Connection.” Gagnon acknowledged the pair’s rapport but noted that opposing defenses are now alert—potentially clearing the path for Harris to shine in 2025.
“Ladd McConkey emerged as Justin Herbert’s go-to guy in 2024. Could the two take it to another level in McConkey’s sophomore season? It’s entirely possible, and it’s not a bad sign that they’ve apparently been connecting beautifully this offseason.
But again, consider the circumstances. Opposing defenses are studying the Chargers offense more than the Chargers defense is. And the Bolts will want to make a strong effort to work in rookie Tre Harris.
This feels like a potential fantasy football trap, at the very least.”
Ladd McConkey emerged as one of the NFL’s standout rookies in 2024, outperforming expectations after being selected in the second round. He racked up 1,149 receiving yards and seven touchdowns across 16 games, finishing ninth in the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Justin Herbert looked his way more than any other Chargers receiver, targeting him 112 times—leading the team in receiving yards by a margin of over 400.
Despite McConkey’s breakout, rookie Tre Harris brings his own impressive résumé to Los Angeles. A two-year standout at Ole Miss, Harris was named a second-team All-American after recording 1,030 yards and seven touchdowns last season, averaging 17.2 yards per catch.
At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.54-second 40-yard dash and earned a strong 79 score from Next Gen Stats—ranking eighth among wide receivers.
With defenses now expected to key in on McConkey, his target share may dip, creating opportunities for Harris, as well as Mike Williams and Quentin Johnston, to capitalize on softer coverage and find space on the field.
The Chargers will be counting on Harris to deliver from the outset, ideally replicating or approaching McConkey’s level of impact. His speed and ability to gain yards after the catch make him a versatile weapon in Los Angeles’ offensive arsenal, giving play-callers plenty of creative flexibility.
The buzz around Herbert and McConkey isn’t just about fantasy football or stats—it’s about the doors it could open for Harris to have a breakout campaign in 2025.
