On July 19, 2025, I was fortunate to attend Day 3 of Chargers training camp and curate my own notes from the practice in front of me. That said, the Chargers were having what seemed like a special-teams-based day with minimal team drills, most of which focused on two-minute drill situations. This minimal amount of team drill period did not allow for a plethora of game-changing notes to be had, but some very key hints of what is going to happen next week and beyond became imminent.
Chargers Day 3 Training Camp: Unexpected Camp Battles Become Real
The biggest thing to read into whilst down in El Segundo at The Bolt was which players were lining up with the 1s, 2s, and 3s. This gives fans more of a perspective of how the coaching staff feels about the roster. In doing so, there were some really interesting depth chart placements that need to be reported on, showing that the Chargers’ camp battles are really heating up.
#1 – Jalen Reagor Is Making This Team
All throughout the off-season thus far, important media members have been reporting on Jalen Reagor and his impact on this coaching staff. Fans simply do not want to believe that this is true due to his troubled on-field past, leading to infamy clouding his current perception. That said, this Chargers coaching staff is not lying when they said “competitors welcome” and are welcoming Reagor with open arms to get the first shot at this final 53-man roster.
Reagor worked with the 1s throughout the near entirety of Day 3 of Chargers training camp, playing all over the field, whether it was X, Z, or Slot. This includes an impressive catch from Justin Herbert, videoed below. He also worked on the side for returner drills, giving him even more value to this roster.
Another great connection: Justin Herbert to Jalen Reagor
(this pole is my opp) pic.twitter.com/1W5kLUsfBb
— Nate Gosney (@NateGosney) July 20, 2025
To wrap up, the retirement of Mike Williams has opened a spot for Reagor to make this roster. Given his value on special teams and ability to play some X receiver, it should be a well-known fact that he is going to be a roster lock come cut-down day.
#2 – Former 4th Round Selection Working With Third Team
While it is still early and there have been some words of encouragement from the coaching staff, the Chargers’ 2024 fourth-round selection, Justin Eboigbe, was working mainly with the third team during the entirety of the Chargers’ training camp. This is simply not a good sign coming from a fourth-round pick who has already struggled in his first season in Powder Blues.
Importantly, this interior defensive line room is deep and will rely on rotation and a committee approach to create steady play in 2025. Eboigbe will be a part of this rotation, but with what we are seeing in *unpadded* Chargers training camp practice, he is going to be one of the last players in the rotation. Guys like Teair Tart, Da’Shawn Hand, Otito Ogbonnia, and Naquan Jones are all taking snaps from the 1st and 2nd teams, while the Chargers’ fourth-round pick is stuck fighting for snaps with the third team.
#3 – Day 3 Selection Impresses Mightily In First Training Camp
The player with the most buzz around the Chargers training camp and off-season additions is fifth-round selection, Oronde Gadsden II. He has made headlines day in and day out, performing very well in off-season workouts. Gadsden II, the former Wide Receiver turned Tight End, has been incredible in unpadded practices, showing off his athleticism. He has done work with the first team, giving fans the idea that he could very well be a true part of this Chargers offense come Week 1 in Brazil.
Justin Herbert dime to Oronde Gadsden II pic.twitter.com/zsf3otM1mi
— Nate Gosney (@NateGosney) July 20, 2025
Even with my poor video skills, it’s easy to see why Gadsden II is impressing the staff during training camp. However, to put a slight stop to the hype-train that is getting larger and larger, it should be noted heavily that practice is unpadded and there is no real physicality involved, a segment where Gadsden II was marked down the most in the pre-draft process. This includes blocking defenders in the run and pass game, where Gadsden II is likely to stumble during his rookie season, as it is why he was not selected until the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Another Oronde Gadsden catch in first team 7on7 pic.twitter.com/C3gaMPC5sm
— Nate Gosney (@NateGosney) July 20, 2025
Other Fun Notes From Camp
To wrap up, there are plenty of other little tidbits I was able to receive during my day spent in El Segundo that I felt like needed to be reported, but not enough information to truly make it its own article. So with that said, here are some bullet points from Day 3 of Chargers training camp:
- Jim Harbaugh said practice was “crisp” today, somewhat contrary to what most believed
- Scott Matlock, when asked how he manages his time between offense and defense, “I have no idea”
- With Rashawn Slater missing practice, it was peculiar that Joe Hortiz was on the phone, pacing and speaking with animated body language during a large portion of the day
- Cameron Dicker was by far the last person on the field, practicing cardio and conditioning
- JK Scott was the first guy on the field, followed by Taylor Heinicke
- Deane Leonard had a great day in team drills
- Stevo Klotz was practicing underneath receiving drills, performing well
- Quentin Johnston had a good day, with strong hands and separation
- Omarion Hampton’s feet are completely silent, which is so impressive considering his hulking size
- Jim Harbaugh was extra keen on receiver drills
- Denzel Perryman is an absolute class act. He played catch with fans before practice, signed 100s of autographs after practice, including the gesture of taking a little girl’s drawing/poster of Justin Herbert to the locker room to have Herbert sign it.
For more reports like this, follow me on Twitter: @NateGosney
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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