With the Raiders in the red zone early in the second quarter of Monday night's game, the Chargers defense needed to make a play on third down to halt the possession.
That's where rookie Jamaree Caldwell came in and put a stop to it.
In what was a hectic play that involved a bad snap, Caldwell got into the backfield and grabbed Geno Smith for his first career sack that limited Las Vegas to a field goal.
A couple teammates surrounded him after the play, but the rookie was stuck between whether or not he should savor the moment.
"I didn't know whether to celebrate after the play or get up and they were going to go for it on fourth down," Caldwell said.
Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter quipped: "I think it was one of those, made the first play and didn't know how to react. Hopefully he'll come up with something to get the juices going."
It was the highlight of what was an impressive showing for Caldwell in which he played the second-most snaps among Chargers defensive linemen with 34.
The rookie out of Oregon led his position in pressures on Monday night with four, as he also drew a holding call on a third down later in the game that held the Raiders to another field goal, while pushing the pocket all game long.
In a game where everyone on the defensive line flashed, Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said Caldwell was arguably at the top.
"No one probably affected the quarterback more than Jamaree Caldwell did," Harbaugh said. "First career sack, he affected the quarterback as much or more as anybody else in the D-Line room, and it was a really good game for the all on the D-Line."
The rookie said he thought he settled in as the game rolled on, eventually playing fast and leading to his success.
"I just started playing fast and my mindset was just collapse the pocket, get in the quarterback's face and be as disruptive as I could be whether I had 1-on-1 blocking, take advantage and win that, and also with the slide," Caldwell said. "Just trying to be more effective in the pass game, pushing the pocket in general."
Caldwell has flashed everything the Bolts were excited about when he was drafted.
Check out the best photos from practice on Wednesday at The Bolt in El Segundo!
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Caldwell is tied for the most pressures among rookie defensive tackles through the first two weeks of the season and tied for third among rookie in Pro Football Focus' run defense grade (69.0) so far.
At 6-foot-1 and 340 pounds, he's been able to use his athleticism to create advantages.
"He's playing really well," Minter said about Caldwell. "He's getting pass rush production, he's playing well against the run. He's what we hoped he would be going back to the draft and he certainly hasn't disappointed.
"He's a big guy that can hold up really well in the run game and be dominant at the point of attack and take on double teams and single blocks," Minter added. "Then he also has an element of twitch that a lot of guys his size don't have and some pass rush knack."
The rookie has logged the second-most snaps among Chargers defensive linemen so far through the first two weeks, as he came into the season ready for whatever role awaited him.
Now, Caldwell hopes to build on his early flashes, saying he's continuing his detailed approach in the film room and throughout the week — and looking to create more havoc.
"It's a huge motivation just seeing I got to the quarterback again," Caldwell said. "Even though I had the possibility to do it at Oregon, getting home and getting the sack just gives you that extra boost in the next play, next game, however you look at it.
"You feel like you can go get another one and want to get another one," Caldwell added. "It just feels great to be disruptive. Once the offense and QB get off schedule a little bit, it just gives your defense so much boost."
