The Chargers initial 53-man roster for 2025 is here.
There are 24 players on offense, 27 on defense and two specialists among the 53 players. All NFL teams had to get their rosters to 53 players by 1 p.m. (PT) on Tuesday.
It is worth noting that this initial roster could change, but here's a position-by-position look at who made the initial 53.
Note: all players listed alphabetically by last name.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (2)
On the Roster: Justin Herbert and Trey Lance
Herbert is entering Year 6 and is the face of the franchise. He still remains one of the league's most talented quarterbacks and is coming off a 2024 season that showcased his toughness (playing through multiple injuries) and football IQ (just three interceptions). Herbert said this summer that he feels more comfortable in Year 2 of Greg Roman's scheme. As usual, Herbert will drive how far the Chargers go in 2025.
Lance won the backup quarterback battle over Taylor Heinicke with stellar offseason, training camp and preseason performances. Lance, the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, arrived quietly as a free agent this offseason but made noise at every turn in recent months. He impressed by using his legs to create plays in preseason games and also displayed strong decision making as he didn't commit a turnover this summer.
Running backs (3)
On the Roster: Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris and Hassan Haskins
The Chargers are keeping just three running backs, including Harris, on their initial 53-man roster.
Harris was not placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) List on Tuesday, which means he is on the 53-man roster. He did not partake in training camp due to a superficial eye injury sustained during a fireworks mishap on July 4, but he did work off to the side doing drills and agility work for the final week or so of camp.
Hampton will enter his rookie season as a key piece of the Bolts offensive puzzle. The 2025 first-round pick impressed during limited preseason action and also shined in training camp practices. Simply put, the 22-year-old looks like a future star in the backfield with the Bolts.
Haskins adds value in multiple facets, both as a short-yardage back and on special teams.
Fullbacks (1)
On the Roster: Scott Matlock
Matlock was listed as the Chargers starting fullback on the unofficial depth chart and retains that role here. While he is expected to contribute on both defense and special teams in 2025, Matlock said earlier this month that fullback was his primary priority heading into the 2025 season. The third-year player will be a key figure in helping the Chargers run game find more consistency this year.
Wide receivers (6)
On the Roster: Keenan Allen, Derius Davis, Tre' Harris, Quentin Johnston, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Ladd McConkey
McConkey is the headliner here after a historic 2024 season that saw him break Allen's single-season rookie records for catches and receptions. And the 2024 second-round pick was simply dominant at times this summer, with Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh noting that McConkey was "uncoverable" at times in camp.
Allen rejoined the Chargers in training camp and flashed an instant rapport with Herbert, including on third downs in practices. The 33-year-old enters the 2025 season just 904 career catches with the Bolts, just 52 away from surpassing Antonio Gates' career mark. Johnston, meanwhile, showed more improvement in recent months and should look to build on a solid 2024 season in which he caught eight touchdowns.
Harris (second round) and Lambert-Smith (fifth round) are the rookies of the group, but both flashed at different points this summer. The bigger-bodied Harris is more a possession receiver and came on strong in the final preseason game in which he played (against the Rams). Lambert-Smith, meanwhile, generated buzz early on, especially after his strong preseason debut in the Hall of Fame Game. Both players will be relied upon right away as rookies this season.
Davis is among the game's best returners and should benefit from the tweaked kickoff rule that might see more returns in 2025. But don't discredit his role as a wide receiver, too, especially with the way he played down the stretch of the 2024 season. Davis might not rack up gaudy numbers on offense but he's a sure bet to make a splash play or two when you least expect it.
Tight ends (4)
On the Roster: Tyler Conklin, Will Dissly, Tucker Fisk and Oronde Gadsden
Conklin and Dissly are the veterans of the group and each offer a speciality on offense. Conklin, an offseason free agent acquisition, has averaged more than 550 receiving yards in each of the past four seasons. He should be a reliable target and a safety blanket for Herbert in the passing game this season.
Dissly, meanwhile, is one of the league's best run blockers at tight end. And while he had a career year in 2024, Dissly should be able to make more of an impact in the run game given Conklin's presence in the room. Don't be surprised if Dissly is a big reason why the Bolts have an impactful run game again in 2025.
Fisk is among the more unheralded players on the roster as he provides toughness and a strong skillset as a blocker. He is also the team's reserve long snapper, which could be key with Josh Harris going on Injured Reserve (Designated to Return), meaning the veteran must miss at least the first four games of the season.
Keep an eye on Gadsden, a fifth-round rookie who has done nothing but impress since spring practices. The former Syracuse wide receiver is 6-foot-5 and is a smooth route runner who displayed trusty hands, especially when working with Herbert and the first-team offense this summer. Gadsden might not lead the Chargers in any statistical areas in 2025, but he could make an impact, especially on third down and in the red zone.
Offensive line (8)
On the Roster: Joe Alt, Mekhi Becton, Bradley Bozeman, Austin Deculus, Andre James, Zion Johnson, Trey Pipkins III and Jamaree Salyer
Alt has moved from right to left tackle and has thrived in practices and games since Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending knee injury. The second-year offensive lineman has a chance to move into the league's elite category this year and will also be relied upon as a leader and steady presence along the line.
Becton, an offseason free agent addition, should add beef (he's 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds) and a gritty mentality up front at right guard. While he did miss some time in camp, he is trending in the right direction and could help boost the Chargers offensive line into one of the league's better units this season.
Johnson (left guard) and Bozeman (center) are back in their same positions as a year ago, even after Johnson spent time working at center this offseason. Pipkins, meanwhile, has been thrust into a starting role after the loss of Slater, but he is an experienced and steady tackle who played the 2024 season at guard.
Salyer and James are the Chargers top reserve linemen, with the former being able to play almost every spot on the line. James has interior flexibility and could line up at either center or guard if needed.
The Chargers swung a trade for Deculus on Tuesday, sending a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick to the Texans for the offensive tackle.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (6)
On the Roster: Jamaree Caldwell, Justin Eboigbe, Da'Shawn Hand, Naquan Jones, Otito Ogbonnia and Teair Tart
This unit entered camp as an unproven group but emerged as one of the deepest parts of the Chargers roster. Tart flashed throughout camp and should be more comfortable in multiple facets after joining the Bolts on the fly this time a year ago.
Ogbonnia and Eboigbe are both among the most improved overall players in the locker room. Ogbonnia has always been a solid run defender but he popped as a pass rusher in practices and games. Eboigbe, a 2024 fourth-round pick, played just 26 defensive snaps as a rookie but looks primed to be an impactful player along the interior this season.
Hand and Jones are the newcomers of the group as both were offseason free agent additions. But both showed strong all-around skills against the run and the pass this summer as their experience could allow Jesse Minter to roll out lineme in waves this season.
Caldwell, a recent third-round pick, isn't a flashy player but he impacted practices and games with his stout play and strength at the line of scrimmage. He could be among the Bolts best rookie this season.
Outside linebackers (5)
On the Roster: Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard, Khalil Mack, Caleb Murphy and Tuli Tuipulotu
Mack is a future Hall of Famer with 107.5 career sacks who sets the tone and standard on and off the field for the Chargers. He mulled retirement this offseason but returned hungry for playoff success. And he wreaked havoc on numerous training camp practices when he was at his absolute best this summer.
All eyes will be on Tuipulotu this season as he steps into a full-time starting role for the first time in his career. Tuipulotu led the Chargers with 8.5 sacks in 2024 and could be primed for a double-digit season with increased opportunities to get to the quarterback (and less snaps on special teams).
Dupree is a solid third edge rusher and respected veteran leader who can spell Mack or Tulipuotu when needed, but don't be surprised if Minter finds a way to get all three players on the field together in certain passing downs.
Murphy earned his spot on the initial roster with splash plays in the preseason as well as his ability to play on special teams. Kennard, a 2025 fourth-round pick, was banged up for a portion of camp but offers future upside as an edge rusher. Both he and Murphy should benefit from being around Mack and Co. on a daily basis during the season.
Inside linebackers (4)
On the Roster: Troy Dye, Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman and Marlowe Wax
Henley could be in line to stake his claim as one of the league's best off-ball linebackers in 2025. Expectations are high for the 25-year-old who emerged as a leader and critical piece in the middle of the Bolts defense a year ago. Everyone, from coaches to teammates, raved about Henley this offseason ... and he backed it up with a stellar camp. He's among the biggest defensive storylines of the season.
Perryman and Dye are both veteran who returned to the Chargers in free agency this offseason. And while Perryman might get the starting nod next to Henley, the key will be keeping the 32-year-old healthy after he battled through injuries in the second half of last season. When he's on the field, Perryman adds a physical element to the defense that few can match.
Dye is a core four special teams player who will be vital to the Chargers success in that phase. But he's also proven to be a reliable linebacker as he made five starts on defense a season ago.
Wax was among the stars of the preseason, including a strip sack in the preseason finale, and made the initial 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse.
Junior Colson, a 2024 third-round pick, was placed on Injured Reserve, which means he must miss the entire 2025 season.
Defensive backs (12)
On the Roster: Alohi Gilman, Cam Hart, Donte Jackson, Derwin James, Jr., RJ Mickens, Elijah Molden, Nikko Reed, Eric Rogers, Tarheeb Still, Benjamin St-Juste, Ja'Sir Taylor and Kendall Williamson
We'll start with the cornerbacks, a group that will give Minter plenty of options for how to deploy them this season. Minter said at the end of camp that he feels as if the Bolts have "four starters" here, as that quartet includes Hart, Jackson, Still and St-Juste.
Hart and Still shined as rookie fifth-round picks a season ago, with each offering a different style of play in the secondary. Still was a ballhawk with a team-best four interceptions, a total that could perhaps double this season if he progresses as hoped. Hart is a bigger cornerback who provides a physical presence on the outside and can match up against any opposing teams' 'X' receiver on a weekly basis.
Jackson and St-Juste both landed on the roster in free agency this offseason. Jackson is coming off a career year with five interceptions and could thrive in Minter's zone-heavy scheme. St-Juste (6-foot-3) offers a similar skillset as Hart and is looking to bounce back after an up-and-down 2024 season with Washington. Overall, don't be surprised if Minter rolls out a rotation between these four players early in the season, especially as each missed various points of camp with ailments.
Taylor's role will primarily be on special teams as he's perhaps the Chargers best gunner in punt coverage. Taylor also has experience in the slot and could be called upon there if the group gets hit by injuries.
Reed and Rogers both made the initial 53-man roster as undrafted free agents as both were preseason and training camo standouts.
Reed flashed from Day 1 of training camp and continued that progression with an interception in the Hall of Fame Game. Although he missed time with an injury, he closed camp with an interception on the final day of practice.
Rogers, meanwhile, had two interceptions — including a pick 6 — against the Saints in preseason play. But he suffered an injury late in that game and didn't practice for the remainder of training camp. Even so, the undrafted free agent from Rutgers made a strong impression on coaches and teammates this summer.
James is an alpha on the field and in the locker room. And he re-staked his claim as one of the league's best safeties in 2024 with an All-Pro season under Minter, mostly working as a slot defender and near the line of scrimmage.
Molden and Gilman will man the deep safety spots when James is roaming around, and it's not a stretch to say the Chargers just might have the best safety trio in the NFL. Minter's ability to use these three players together was a big reason why the Chargers defense led the league in points allowed per game (17.7) in 2024, and this group will once again be critical the unit's success.
Mickens, a recent sixth-round pick, impressed in both practice and preseason games this summer and looks to be a key piece of the secondary for years to come. Williamson played in two games for the Chargers on defense in 2024 and progressed nicely this spring and summer.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Specialists (2)
On the Roster: Cameron Dicker and JK Scott
The Chargers only have two specialists on their initial 53-man roster as long snapper Josh Harris was placed on Injured Reserve (Designated to Return), meaning the veteran must miss at least the first four games of the season. Harris was injured in the preseason finale against the 49ers.
The Chargers could go with Fisk as the emergency long snapper or they could look to bring in another player to take Harris' place early in the season.
Either way, the Chargers will now turn to Dicker and Scott to bring some stability to this phase.
Dicker is an elite kicker — full stop — and made 39 of 42 field goals (92.9 success rate) a season ago. He also executed a historic fair catch kick, with his 150 total points setting a single-season mark by a kicker in team history.
Scott remains a weapon as a punter with elite hang time that routinely pins opponents deep in their own territory. His ability as a holder shouldn't go overlooked either, as he and Dicker are usually locked in together.
