Los Angeles Chargers training camp preview: Key dates, notable additions, biggest storylines

With NFL training camps kicking off in July, it’s time to get up to speed on all 32 NFL teams. Coral Smith has the lowdown on position battles, key players and notable subplots across the AFC West.

Catch up on the Los Angeles Chargers’ offseason developments and 2024 outlook below.

Training Camp Dates/Information

• Players report: July 16 (rookies); July 23 (veterans)
• Location: The Bolt | El Segundo, California (fan information)

Notable Roster Changes

Preseason Schedule

• Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks | 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 10
• Week 2: vs. Los Angeles Rams | 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 17
• Week 3: at Dallas Cowboys | 4 p.m. ET on Saturday Aug. 24

2024 Schedule Notes

• Los Angeles is tied for the 27th-hardest strength of schedule in 2024 based on its opponents’ 2023 win percentage (.478).
• Head coach Jim Harbaugh will host his brother John’s Ravens in Week 12 on Monday Night Football. This will be the first matchup between the Harbaugh brothers since John’s Ravens beat Jim’s 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
• The Chargers will finish the season with back-to-back road games at New England and Las Vegas.

— NFL Research

What You Need To Know

1) New head coach Jim Harbaugh’s offensive ethos revolves around establishing a punishing run game, something Los Angeles has lacked in recent years, despite some productive seasons from RB Austin Ekeler. But Ekeler will not be in the Chargers’ backfield for this new era, having signed elsewhere due to what he described as a “misalignment” with the Bolts’ new run-heavy scheme. Instead, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards reunite with their former Baltimore OC, Greg Roman, with the hope that they can help Harbaugh assert his offensive vision. Dobbins, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, has shown flashes of promise between multiple injuries, and his impact on the offense will be contingent on his ability to stay healthy for a full season. Edwards, who’s coming off of a career year, is in line to carry the load for as long as Dobbins is out; after that, it remains to be seen how snaps might be split. Sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal, Isaiah Spiller, Elijah Dotson and Jaret Patterson round out the group.

2) Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have departed, taking most of the Chargers’ receiving yards from last year with them. It’ll be an extremely different WR room going forward, and one with significantly less star power and some questions as to its viability. Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston both return, though the latter will need to step up and address the ball-security issues he faced as a rookie. Free-agent addition DJ Chark and second-round pick Ladd McConkey will add some more punch, but both will have the challenge of getting accustomed to a new team. Training camp should give more information as to the makeup of this room and how much each player is expected to contribute, but the lack of proven firepower certainly raises questions as to what can be expected from the Chargers’ passing attack, even with star quarterback Justin Herbert throwing the ball.

3) Harbaugh has talked at length about how the offensive line is the key to success, backing up his words by drafting Notre Dame OT Joe Alt with the fifth pick in this year’s draft. Alt comes to the pros with solid athleticism and technique, and he is expected to jump right into a starting role on a line that is otherwise returning some quality talent. The Chargers look to be planning to slot the rookie in at right tackle, keeping Rashawn Slater on the left side. Alt has predominantly played on the blind side to this point, so it could take some time for the rookie to get used to switching spots. Training camp should provide a good first glimpse as to how he’s adjusting and how strong this line could look altogether.

4) Harbaugh brought his defensive coordinator from Michigan, Jesse Minter, with him to the West Coast, and the duo will attempt to run it back together at the next level to replicate their winning formula. Dealing with injuries last season, the Bolts’ defense gave up the 24th-most points and 28th-most yards in the league. How quickly can the new regime — and new scheme — turn this unit around? Also of note: Harbaugh sought out a familiar face in the draft, selecting Wolverine LB Junior Colson. With a lack of depth at the linebacker position after some departures, the rookie has a chance to earn a starting role in a defense he should already be familiar with.

5) One key to a defensive turnaround in L.A. will be reviving Derwin James. The highly paid safety regressed a bit last year, when he was asked to cover for multiple shortcomings around the defense. It looks like the new regime is ready to pull back on that in 2024. Minter said recently that he feels a less-is-more approach might actually increase James’ impact on the field, adding that while the Chargers still will utilize his multifaceted abilities across the defense, they want to be careful not to do “too much” with him. How exactly those words translate into snap distribution is something to watch when the versatile playmaker takes the field at camp.