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The Chargers completed Day 8 of training camp, with several players standing out throughout practice.
Although several Chargers impressed on Day 8, two players stood out more than anyone else, and both came from the same position group. Safeties Elijah Molden and rookie safety Genesis Smith showed up and showed out.
Smith intercepted Justin Herbert after a pass went through Charlie Kolar’s hands. As for Molden, he had an interception in a 7-on-7 drill against Trey Lance after Donte Jackson dove and tipped the ball into the air.
Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary was impressed with Smith's play on Thursday.
"Ball skills, QB anticipation and ball skills [are] really impressive," O'Leary said of Smith. "Today, he showed up when the pads came on a little bit.
"The more exposure to that, kind of find out who he is when those situations arise, that will be kind of the final piece of where he fits in our defense," O'Leary added.
The Chargers selected Smith with the 131st overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. As for Molden, he will enter his third year with the team after spending his first three years of his career with the Titans.
Molden was held to 12 games in 2025, where he tallied 52 tackles and one interception. He earned a 55.3 overall PFF defensive grade, ranking 80th out of 98 qualified safeties.
O'Leary was more than impressed with how his side of the ball performed against what is expected to be an elite offensive unit.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers training camp: Pair of safeties stand out on Day 8
Continue reading...
Although several Chargers impressed on Day 8, two players stood out more than anyone else, and both came from the same position group. Safeties Elijah Molden and rookie safety Genesis Smith showed up and showed out.
Smith intercepted Justin Herbert after a pass went through Charlie Kolar’s hands. As for Molden, he had an interception in a 7-on-7 drill against Trey Lance after Donte Jackson dove and tipped the ball into the air.
Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary was impressed with Smith's play on Thursday.
"Ball skills, QB anticipation and ball skills [are] really impressive," O'Leary said of Smith. "Today, he showed up when the pads came on a little bit.
"The more exposure to that, kind of find out who he is when those situations arise, that will be kind of the final piece of where he fits in our defense," O'Leary added.
The Chargers selected Smith with the 131st overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. As for Molden, he will enter his third year with the team after spending his first three years of his career with the Titans.
Molden was held to 12 games in 2025, where he tallied 52 tackles and one interception. He earned a 55.3 overall PFF defensive grade, ranking 80th out of 98 qualified safeties.
O'Leary was more than impressed with how his side of the ball performed against what is expected to be an elite offensive unit.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers training camp: Pair of safeties stand out on Day 8
Continue reading...
