EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — With the second day of Los Angeles Chargers training camp in the books, the team is one step closer to solidifying its identity for this new iteration of the team.
The 2024 offseason has been one of significant change for the Chargers, from the addition of a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh to the exodus of many key pieces of the Chargers’ offense, such as wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler.
But it also gives the team a chance to establish a new identity on offense. Newly acquired running back J.K. Dobbins wants the team to be known as a “bully” around the league.
“We want to be bullies, you know,” Dobbins said after practice. “We want to have a running game and a passing game. We want to be able to bully people and do whatever we want. And it starts here in camp, and we’re going to get it done.”
“We’re going to get it done, we’re going to work for it every day. And we’ve got the guys to do it. And that’s what we’re looking for. I know I’m looking to get it done, not just as a team, but as a player. I want to be a bully on the field as well.”
Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater spoke similarly when it comes to establishing the team’s identity. Especially in regards to incorporating a new offensive philosophy from Harbaugh, whose past teams have been dominant in the running game, which should help take pressure off star quarterback Justin Herbert.
“I know a big part of what he wants is physical performance,” Slater said. “And we’re all excited about that, but it’s hard to do it without protection. We’re not there yet, but we’re hungry and we’re going to be ready.”
Slater, along with the other members of the Chargers’ revamped offensive line, will be the starting point for physical play. New offensive coordinator Greg Roman made clear what he likes about the five players in charge so far.
“Just the way they go about their job,” Roman said. “Position changes at the guard position. Their communication is a dogged determination to understand every little thing that goes on at that position. Their communication with Joe (Alt) and Bradley (Bozeman) is huge. And then our left side, these guys are just working, working, working. Our goal is for our offensive line to be the best unit, to be able to play together very, very well, and I think these guys are working very, very well in that direction.”
Along the same lines, Roman is impressed with what he’s seen from the running backs, and there’s also a sense of familiarity he has with Dobbins and Gus Edwards, whom he coached with the Baltimore Ravens.
“I think the running back room is very strong,” Roman said. “I’ve been with JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards at other spots in the past. I know them well. And, you know, we’re up against (Isaiah) Spiller and a couple of the other guys, it’s pretty good competition. It’s really going to be interesting to see how it plays out.”
While Roman hasn’t yet laid out a definitive depth chart in terms of his running backs, he says Dobbins and Edwards are leaders not only of the position group, but of the team as a whole.
As Harbaugh and Roman continue their training camp instillation process, they will be able to fine-tune and develop what they want their offense to look like. Last season, the team threw 59 percent of the time. With a new group and a new offensive philosophy, Roman knows the offense will look different as the start of the season approaches.
“I think whatever has happened in the past is just the way it is. It’s separate from what’s going to happen in the future. Every game is going to be a little bit different,” Roman said. “Some days, some games, we’re going to try to play outside. Again, ‘medieval,’ like we talked about this spring. Some games, you know, we’re going to play outside, and other games it’s going to be a mix.
“That’s how it’s going to play out. It’s going to be different. It’s going to depend on the identity that we build in training camp. Coming out of training camp, we should have a good idea of who we are. And I think that’s really going to determine where we really put our focus.”