A number of Chargers players have been among the best at their position a quarter century into this millennium.
Six members of Sports Illustrated's MMQB voted on the best players at every position over the past 25 years, an All-Quarter Century Team, dividing them into three teams and ending up with a total of 84 players.
And for the Bolts, the clear cut First-Team member was none other than LaDainian Tomlinson.
The Hall of Fame running back was almost a unanimous selection for their first team as the former MVP was one of the most prolific players in NFL history.
MMQB wrote:
Tomlinson was a nearly unanimous selection for the first team. He trails [Frank] Gore and [Adrian] Peterson in rushing yards since 2000, but his 145 rushing touchdowns clear second place (Peterson) by 25, and in fewer games. Tomlinson was a first-team All-Pro three times, Peterson four times, and they are the two most recent non-QBs to win league MVP.
A five-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro, Tomlinson ranks third all-time with 162 touchdowns and seventh with 13,662 rushing yards and was the No. 1 choice for the best running back of the last 25 years.
Check out the best photos from the fourth day of Training Camp 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo!
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Monday, July 21, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The next highest-ranking member of the Bolts? Tomlinson's teammate that was at the forefront of a lot of those running lanes.
Fullback Lorenzo Neal earned Second-Team honors by MMQB as he was a driving force during that time period.
A member of the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s, Neal is recognized as one of the best fullbacks in recent history.
MMQB wrote:
Neal made four Pro Bowls, three of them with the Chargers as the lead blocker for LaDainian Tomlinson during his peak seasons.
The next Charger on the list came at Second-Team punt returner as Darren Sproles took the honors.
A former Pro Bowl returner, Sproles spent the first six years of his career with the Bolts.
He scored nine return touchdowns (seven on punt, two on kickoff) and earned a spot on the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team as a punt returner. He ranks sixth all-time in all-purpose yards with 19,696.
MMQB wrote:
Sproles was second in punt returns, yards and touchdowns, and made three Pro Bowls, all in his 30s.
The Bolts also had a pair of members on the Third Team, starting with current outside linebacker Khalil Mack.
Mack, a nine-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Player of the Year, has notched 107.5 sacks throughout his career and is one of the best edge rushers of the last 25 years.
They also had former special teams ace Kassim Osgood on the Third Team, as he made three Pro Bowl appearances with the Chargers as a designated special teams player.
Other former Chargers to receive votes on the list was 2025 Pro Football Hall of Famer Antonio Gates, who is the all-time record holder for receiving touchdowns by a tight end, Rodney Harrison, who will be going into the Chargers Hall of Fame this year, and former safety Eric Weddle, a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.
