4. Who emerges on defense?
Think of this one as the recent Daiyan Henley scenario.
Henley entered the 2024 season as a new full-time starter and established himself as one of the NFL’s top young players.
The heartbeat in the middle of the Chargers defense, the expectation is now that Henley could ascend to league-wide stardom in 2025.
So, who emerges in his place this season?
Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart are strong candidates, but again, the cornerback rotation doesn’t appear to be crystalized just yet.
Tuli Tuipilotu is also a name to watch but he feels established enough, even though he is going into his first season as a full-time starter opposite Khalil Mack.
Newcomes Nikko Reed and Marlowe Wax are also on our list, but the pair of undrafted rookie free agents aren’t likely to start right away.
Instead, we’re going with rookie third-round pick Jamaree Caldwell.
The defensive lineman doesn’t play the sexiest position and won’t get a ton of accolades for simply doing his job in the trenches.
But the former Oregon (and Houston) standout impressed coaches and teammates alike this summer with his ability to stuff the run while also showing off some pass rush juice, too.
If Caldwell establishes himself as a starter early in the season, he could be among the Bolts key defensive pieces for the future.
5. How do the Chargers handle December?
We mentioned above that the team’s September slate will be revealing.
So, too, will the Chargers schedule in December.
The Bolts have a Week 12 bye before playing the Raiders at home in Week 13 on November 30.
Then the gauntlet begins with a home game against the Eagles, a road game in Kansas City, a road game in Dallas and a home game against Houston.
If you’re counting, that’s the past three Super Bowl champions, including the teams that met in last year’s title game.
It’s the Cowboys, who are chock full of talent and draw national eyeballs every day of the year.
And it’s Houston, the team that knocked the Bolts out of the playoffs in convincing fashion a year ago.
If (or probably when) the Chargers are in the playoff race as the calendar turns to December, they will certainly have to earn their ticket to the dance with a grueling December slate.