The Los Angeles Chargers, in recent memory, have been disappointing, being 4-3 after starting 3-0. This portion of the season has been riddled with injuries, eventually mounting to be too much for the Bolts to continue the ship forward to victories. However, beyond injuries, the Chargers have had some major regressions from players they were relying on mightily during the course of the 2025 season, which has, in turn, caused them to struggle.
3 Disappointing Chargers So Far This Season
Daiyan Henley – Borderline Pro Bowler to Liability
Going into 2025, Daiyan Henley was looked at as an easy candidate to be a Pro Bowl selection for the Chargers due to his incredible 2024 season. Whether it was coverage, downhill run-stopping ability, or his leadership, Henley had it all as a young LB for this Bolts defense. There seemed to be no way for him to become a disappointing Chargers Linebacker going into 2025.
Even in the first few games of 2025, Henley played quite well, considering he was playing through a case of the flu that had him sent to the hospital. These two games showed that he was ready to perform at the level he did all of 2024. Then came his recovery, where he lost 10-20lbs of weight and seemingly has not looked the same since.
Henley has simply not been around the ball, taking poor angles, hitting the wrong gaps, and even completely whiffing. He has recorded an average of 3.8 tackles per game since Week 3 (down from 5.5 in 2024), whilst performing poorly in coverage, having a 43.9 coverage PFF grade since Week 3.
The loss in weight has definitely reared its ugly head thus far in the 2025 season, and the hope for Chargers fans is that Henley will get back to his true form once he regains the weight and allows himself to reset from the disappointing segment of this Chargers season.
Tyler Conklin – Benched Early
Tyler Conklin was signed as one of the most likable Chargers free agent targets. Conklin has been a veteran Tight End who has been impressive with poor Quarterback play throughout the majority of his career. Just imagine what he can do with Justin Herbert.
The answer to that is apparently nothing. Conklin had a solid Week 1, with 50 yards (and a fumble), showing that he can make plays for this Chargers offense. Unfortunately, after that, he has arguably been the most disappointing Chargers free agent signee. He has only recorded three catches since Week 1.
This is due to his pseudo-benching after a brutal drop he had on a fourth down, where he decided to wipe his hands on his towel rather than catch the football. With this “benching” rookie fifth-round selection, Oronde Gadsden II has exploded on the scene as a Chargers weapon, likely taking Conklin’s spot for the rest of the NFL season.
This is the play where Hampton was injured. He gets his ankle kicked which causes him to stumble. Hope it’s not serious.
(watch Conklin wipe his hands on his towel a split second before the ball is thrown) pic.twitter.com/FXVUJrM2HN
— Powder Blue Blood (@pwdrblueblood) October 6, 2025
Derwin James – The Standard Is Not Being Met
Derwin James has been the Chargers’ standout defender since he stepped foot in the building in 2018. The heart and soul of this defense, doing so as a Safety who went through many adversities throughout his career. After what seemed like a pseudo revival of a season in 2024, the expectation was that James was finally back to what we knew and loved before the disappointing Chargers era of Brandon Staley and his defense.
Unfortunately, in 2025, James has been extremely hot and cold. It is tough to say that he has been bad, but he is not at the standard that he or the fans expect. James has had his moments of brilliance, recording sacks and pressures whilst being tough in coverage. However, this brilliance is countered by the disappointing play of his run defense in the last three weeks of this young season.
The Chargers as a whole have been gashed against the run, with James’ poor play (along with Daiyan Henley) being a major key to why. The Chargers’ 2018 first-round pick has a 38.9 run defense PFF grade in the last three weeks. An average that needs to improve if the Chargers want to stop disappointing in 2025.
Main Image: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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