The Chargers have initiated organized team activities, also known as OTAs.
The Bolts practiced for nearly two hours Monday at Hoag Performance Center wearing helmets and shorts.
The OTAs mark the start of Phase Three of the voluntary offseason program. Phase Three consists of a maximum of 10 OTA practices where teams can conduct 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. No live contact is allowed.
Here are three observations from the Chargers’ first OTA practice:
1. Samuel leads the defense
Don’t sleep on a great season from Asante Samuel, Jr.
The Chargers cornerback is entering his fourth season with the Bolts after being a 2021 second-round pick out of Florida State.
The 24-year-old got off to a remarkably strong start in OTAs by recording an interception and multiple pass breakups in Monday’s session.
Samuel lined up with the first-team defense against the non-starting offense in team drills. He was targeted on the first play and nearly received a loss before receiving an interception on the next play.
Samuel later added another pass deflection along the sideline and also nearly had another interception toward the end of practice.
Samuel’s big day highlighted multiple takeaways from the Chargers defense.
In addition to Samuel’s interception, cornerback Kristian Fulton also had one, while safety AJ Finley had an interception on a deflected pass.
Linebacker Nick Niemann also forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman Poona Ford for the unit’s fourth steal of the session.
While Samuel and the defense shined, Justin Herbert’s group was solid all day.
Most important was Herbert’s ability to distribute the ball while connecting with double-digit pass catchers on Monday. Rookie Ladd McConkey showed the quickness that made him a second-round pick by catching multiple passes from Herbert.
While Monday brought a lot of excitement with the first day of OTAs, it’s also worth remembering that the Bolts have almost four months until they play an actual regular season game.
The Week 1 season opener against the Raiders is more than 100 days away, which means a lot can and will change between now and then.
With that in mind, here’s how the Bolts implemented their offensive line combinations on Monday afternoon.
The top unit consisted of nearly all of the returning starters, with left tackle Rashawn Slater joining left guard Zion Johnson. Newcomer Bradley Bozeman was at center with Jamaree Salyer (shooting guard) and Trey Pipkins III (tackle) on the right side.
Joe Alt, the No. 5 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was with the second unit at right tackle. The rest of that group, from left to right, consisted of: Foster Sarell, Jordan McFadden, Brenden Jaimes and Karsen Barnhart.
The last unit introduced, from left to right, consisted of: Tyler McLellan, Willis Patrick, Bucky Williams, Brent Laing and Tyler Smith.
3. Bosa and Mack get to work
As mentioned above, most of the offseason program, including OTA practices, are voluntary.
Still, it was notable that Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack attended and practiced Monday afternoon.
Mack is coming off a 17.0-sack season, while Bosa hopes to have better luck with injuries after being limited to just nine games in 2024.
The duo worked on team drills that also included second-year running back Tuli Tuipulotu at times, a package the Bolts implemented to great success a season ago.
And while Monday’s practice obviously wasn’t with pads or at full speed, Mack faced off against Alt at times to give the rookie a good look as he adjusts to life in the NFL.
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