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If the Los Angeles Chargers made anything clear this offseason, it's that they weren't satisfied with having just one vertical threat tight end.
After watching Oronde Gadsden II emerge as one of Justin Herbert's favorite targets in 2025 as a rookie, the Bolts inked veteran David Njoku to a one-year deal. Rather than handing either player the starting job outright, the move creates one of the more fascinating position battles on the roster with training camp on the horizon.
On paper, Gadsden appears to have the inside track. The former fifth-round pick exceeded expectations during his rookie year, hauling in 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns despite not entering the season as the team's primary tight end. His background as a converted wide receiver was apparent throughout the season and proved valuable for Herbert.
At just 23 years old, Gadsden also represents the future of the position, as his chemistry with Herbert and the staff grew as the season progressed, and many expected him to enter 2026 as the unquestioned No. 1 TE before the Chargers added Njoku in free agency. Instead, he'll now have to earn that role against one of the league's most experienced veterans.
However, that doesn't mean the addition of Njoku should be viewed as a complete negative for Gadsden.
Njoku arrives in LA with nine years of experience and a Pro Bowl appearance on his résumé. At his best, he has proven he can be one of the league's most dangerous receiving tight ends and specializes in yards after the catch, highlighted by an 882-yard season in 2023. Even after an injury-plagued 2025 season, the Chargers saw enough to believe he could immediately improve the offense while giving Herbert another dependable target in the red zone.
The real question is how offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel plans to deploy both players, as he's consistently found creative ways to utilize athletic pass catchers. His offenses have frequently leaned on multiple tight end formations, which could allow both Gadsden and Njoku to play significant snaps instead of one clearly replacing the other.
Few quarterbacks would complain about having two athletic tight ends capable of moving the chains. Whether it's Gadsden's ability to stretch the seam or Njoku's experience finding soft spots in coverage and producing after the catch, the Chargers suddenly have options they lacked a season ago.
By the time Week 1 arrives, the depth chart may list one player ahead of the other. But the bigger takeaway could be that Los Angeles doesn't necessarily need one clear-cut winner.
Continue reading...
After watching Oronde Gadsden II emerge as one of Justin Herbert's favorite targets in 2025 as a rookie, the Bolts inked veteran David Njoku to a one-year deal. Rather than handing either player the starting job outright, the move creates one of the more fascinating position battles on the roster with training camp on the horizon.
On paper, Gadsden appears to have the inside track. The former fifth-round pick exceeded expectations during his rookie year, hauling in 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns despite not entering the season as the team's primary tight end. His background as a converted wide receiver was apparent throughout the season and proved valuable for Herbert.
At just 23 years old, Gadsden also represents the future of the position, as his chemistry with Herbert and the staff grew as the season progressed, and many expected him to enter 2026 as the unquestioned No. 1 TE before the Chargers added Njoku in free agency. Instead, he'll now have to earn that role against one of the league's most experienced veterans.
However, that doesn't mean the addition of Njoku should be viewed as a complete negative for Gadsden.
Njoku arrives in LA with nine years of experience and a Pro Bowl appearance on his résumé. At his best, he has proven he can be one of the league's most dangerous receiving tight ends and specializes in yards after the catch, highlighted by an 882-yard season in 2023. Even after an injury-plagued 2025 season, the Chargers saw enough to believe he could immediately improve the offense while giving Herbert another dependable target in the red zone.
The real question is how offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel plans to deploy both players, as he's consistently found creative ways to utilize athletic pass catchers. His offenses have frequently leaned on multiple tight end formations, which could allow both Gadsden and Njoku to play significant snaps instead of one clearly replacing the other.
Few quarterbacks would complain about having two athletic tight ends capable of moving the chains. Whether it's Gadsden's ability to stretch the seam or Njoku's experience finding soft spots in coverage and producing after the catch, the Chargers suddenly have options they lacked a season ago.
By the time Week 1 arrives, the depth chart may list one player ahead of the other. But the bigger takeaway could be that Los Angeles doesn't necessarily need one clear-cut winner.
Continue reading...
