Los Angeles Chargers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Los Angeles Chargers and backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke agreed to a one-year contract extension worth up to $6.2 million on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Heinicke will return to L.A. for a second season to back up starter Justin Herbert. In his first year with the Chargers in 2024, Heinicke only saw action in four games (no starts) and went only 3-for-5 for 28 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. The 31-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion has already played for five different NFL teams in his seven years in the league. His best year came in 2021 with the Washington Commanders, when he played in 16 games (15 starts) and threw for 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Heinicke has started 29 games in his seven seasons, but he's unlikely to see much work again in 2025 behind Herbert, who is one of the toughest QBs in football.

The Los Angeles Chargers are signing free-agent wide receiver Mike Williams to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million on Wednesday night, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Williams spent the first seven years of his career in L.A. and will now reunite with quarterback Justin Herbert as a big, physical downfield threat. The 30-year-old veteran never developed into the consistent pass-catcher they hoped he'd be when they took him seventh overall in 2017 out of Clemson, although he did have a 10-touchdown season in 2018 and reached the 1,000-yard mark twice. In his first year away from the Chargers in 2024, he spent time with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers and failed to make an impact, catching a combined 21 passes on 34 targets for 298 yards and just one score in 18 games (five starts). Due to familiarity and opportunity, Big Mike should be able to bounce back as a starter with the Bolts, but consistency could be a real issue.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, sources tell NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Harris, who had four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Pittsburgh in his first four years in the NFL after being the 24th overall pick in 2021 out of Alabama, will now head to the AFC West. J.K. Dobbins, the Chargers leading rusher last year, is an unrestricted free agent, so there's a very good chance Harris will be the Bolts' unquestioned lead back in 2025, depending on what the team does in the draft. Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are the only other current RBs on the roster at the position. The 27-year-old lost valuable pass-catching work to Jaylen Warren the last two years, so if the Chargers use him as more of a three-down back, his fantasy stock will rise with the move out West.

The Los Angeles Chargers are pursuing Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent running back Najee Harris and are hoping to close a deal with him, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. A deal hasn't been completed yet, but it could if everything goes well. It would be a big addition to L.A.'s backfield, especially since J.K. Dobbins, the team's leading rusher a year ago, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are the only other RBs on the Bolts' roster currently, so if Harris were to sign with the Chargers and Dobbins goes elsewhere, he'd be the unquestioned lead back going into 2025. The former 24th overall pick in 2021 out of Alabama has left fantasy managers wanting more in his four NFL seasons despite rushing for at least 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons. Jaylen Warren has been a thorn in Harris' side the last two years, but a move to L.A. could give Harris more of a bell-cow role.

Sources told Penn Live's Nick Farabaugh at the NFL Combine last week that the Pittsburgh Steelers are unlikely to re-sign Najee Harris because they will be unwilling to match the $8-10 million per year he's expected to get on the open market. Harris is expected to have a strong market in what is a weak RB class in free agency, and the Las Vegas Raiders could be his biggest suitor. Meanwhile, fellow RB Jaylen Warren is a restricted free agent, but the team has already said they will tender him an offer and there is a desire within the organization to start contract talks with Warren this summer on a long-term extension. Harris, 26, has started all 68 games for the Steelers in his first four seasons in the NFL and has also exceeded 1,000 yards rushing all four years. A move to a team like Vegas with questions at QB could make Harris even less attractive as an RB2 in fantasy, while Warren's stock will improve if Harris leaves.