Chargers Tight End Carrousel
Since the departure of Hunter Henry in 2021, the Los Angeles Chargers have been searching for a long-term solution at tight end. With Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman in the fold, the Chargers are looking for tight ends to be reliable pass catchers but above-average run blockers. Last offseason, the Bolts signed Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst to highlight their tight end room. The expectation was for Dissly to be their run-blocking tight end since he was one of the best blockers in the position in 2023 with the Seattle Seahawks. Hurst was supposed to be the pass-catching option.
Unfortunately, Hurst struggled and dealt with a lot of injuries last season. He played in nine games and had eight catches for only 73 yards. This resulted in Dissly being asked to do more, which he excelled at. He posted career highs in receptions and yards and was very productive in yards after the catch. However, the Chargers’ lack of a pass-catching tight end was exposed in their Wild Card loss against the Houston Texans, as Dissly had costly drops that contributed to the Chargers’ season coming to an end.
Entering the 2025 NFL Free Agency, the Chargers needed to make an upgrade at the tight end position. There were rumors that the Bolts could possibly go out and trade for an established veteran like Mark Andrews or Dallas Goedert. Instead, the Chargers reached an agreement with former New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin. After three seasons with the Jets, Conklin will look to be a big-body target for Justin Herbert. He has been a proven, reliable pass catcher and last season scored a career-high four touchdowns. This signing now allows Dissly to focus solely on being a run-blocking tight end, as his role will now be simplified.
With the Conklin signing, this does not stop the Chargers from targeting a tight end in the draft. Conklin only signed a one-year deal, and Dissly’s contract is up after next season. At pick 22, Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland could still be possible selections. Also, the tight end position in this draft class is rich, so if they do not go tight end in the first round, they can still end up with a solid player in the later rounds. Pairing Herbert with a tight end for years to come should still be a focus to hit on.
