COSTA MESA — The Chargers completed the third and final day of their three-day minicamp Thursday and headed home for vacations or to continue their offseason workouts in preparation for the start of training camp next month. Here’s what we saw, what we learned and what we heard this week:
DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS
Coach Jim Harbaugh’s attention to details was passed down through his coaching staff and to the players, all of whom stressed the importance of doing and saying things the right way at all times. Everyone spoke of meeting Harbaugh’s high expectations for all things great and small.
“The details are really important,” outside linebacker Joey Bosa said. “You could pretend that leaving your shoes a mess or your locker a mess isn’t a big deal and what matters is playing football, but I think all of those tiny details and things kind of add up and leak into the important stuff like what you’re doing on the field.”
For what it’s worth, Bosa’s locker stall was among the messiest in past seasons, with all manner of cleats, running shoes and other equipment strewn across the floor. Reporters were not granted access to the locker room during offseason workouts, so it wasn’t immediately clear whether Bosa’s locker was orderly.
“If you can have your toe behind the line or have your locker in order and all of these things, they kind of stack up into performing well and playing well when things count,” Bosa continued. “I appreciate that it also hasn’t been a fight with the guys in the locker room. They buy in. It’s a lot of young guys and I think they’re hungry to learn, hungry to compete and win.”
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
Quarterback Justin Herbert is working with his fourth offensive coordinator and his third head coach in five seasons, after he had three head coaches in four seasons while at the University of Oregon. He shrugged it off as simply a part of playing the game he loves at such a high level.
“I think you go through it and you have experience with it and you’ve seen it before and you’re familiar with it,” Herbert said. “It’s unfortunate that you lose a coach to another team, but it is what it is. You have to keep moving forward. There’s nothing you do and look back and wish you could change.
“It doesn’t work like that.”
Greg Roman will be Herbert’s fourth offensive coordinator with the Chargers, following Kellen Moore, Joe Lombardi and Shane Steichen. Lombardi was on the job for two seasons; the others were with the Chargers for one season apiece. Herbert’s past head coaches were Anthony Lynn and Brandon Staley.
INJURY UPDATES
Herbert said his surgically repaired right index finger was back to normal in late February or early March and had zero impact on his throwing during organized team activities and minicamp through April, May and June. He certainly showed no signs of the injury, which happened Dec. 10 against the Denver Broncos. …
Harbaugh said he expected running back Gus Edwards to be sound enough to join his teammates when training camp begins in late July. Edwards did not participate in OTAs or minicamp, but he did work out with an athletic trainer on the sideline this week. Harbaugh didn’t provide specifics on Edwards’ ailment. …
Tight ends Will Dissly and Donald Parham Jr. did not participate in team activities because of undisclosed injuries. Harbaugh said he expected Dissly to be ready for training camp. Dissly and Hayden Hurst were offseason additions to the tight end group, signing as free agents during the offseason. …
Wide receiver Joshua Palmer took his time recovering from a knee injury suffered during the Chargers’ season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs. But by the time minicamp arrived, he appeared to be running at full speed during individual and team drills. He said he didn’t need knee surgery.
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WHAT COMES NEXT
A moving van was in evidence as the Chargers wrapped up their final activities in Costa Mesa this week. When they reconvene for training camp next month, they’ll be headquartered at a new building in El Segundo. The new facility, dubbed The Bolt, will feature three grass fields and numerous upgrades.
“I’m really excited to see it,” Herbert said. “I haven’t seen it yet. I’ve seen renderings, pictures. I went back a couple of years ago for the groundbreaking ceremony (May 18, 2022). I think a lot of the guys are going (Friday). I assume it’ll be completed soon and I’m really excited to see it.”
