The Los Angeles Chargers will open their 2025 season on Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Justin Herbert will begin his sixth season in the NFL, and both Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris will be making their Chargers debuts.
Herbert didn't have a great situation on offense around him last season, yet he had one of his more impressive campaigns, completing 65.9% of his passes for 3,870 yards and 23 touchdowns to just three picks.
Harris comes over from the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing with the Chargers in free agency. The veteran has broken the 1,000-yard mark in each season of his career and has proven to be a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Hampton was the Chargers' first-round pick after his outstanding collegiate career that saw him break 1,500 yards on the ground in each of his last two seasons at North Carolina. Safe to say, there's plenty of hype for the rookie back.
Fantasy football decisions in Week 1 are some of the toughest owners will have to make the entire season, as we simply don't have anything to go off of in terms of how some players will be used — and things are no different in Los Angeles, at least in terms of the running backs.
Here's our best advice for Herbert, Harris and Hampton for Week 1.
Start or sit: Najee Harris
There was a ton of uncertainty surrounding Harris' status for Week 1 during the offseason after he sustained an eye injury in a fireworks accident.
However, Harris has been cleared to play after being removed from the injury report, and head coach Jim Harbaugh proclaimed Harris the starter for Week 1.
But that doesn't mean he's going to get the majority of touches in a backfield that also includes first-round pick Omarion Hampton. In fact, Harbaugh even admitted that it's "hard to predict play counts."
Until we see how this situation shakes out, Harris is best left on the bench.
Verdict: Sit
Start or sit: Omarion Hampton
Hampton dominated first-team touches out of the backfield in the preseason, but he also didn't have Harris around, as the veteran was recovering from his eye injury instead of suiting up in exhibition play.
But Harris is back and ready to play, and he has also been named the team's starter at the running back position. While that doesn't guarantee Harris will get most of the work, it is a clear sign there is at least going to be a timeshare here and Hampton won't be getting a workhorse role.
Hampton is going to take over lead duties at some point, and maybe sooner rather than later, but that doesn't look like it'll happen in Week 1. Keep the rookie on the bench until we know more.
Verdict: Sit
Start or sit: Justin Herbert
Herbert finished as QB12 last season, even with a lackluster situation at wide receiver. That situation is a bit better in 2025, though, after the Chargers added rookie Tre Harris and veteran Keenan Allen to go along with 2024 breakout star Ladd McConkey and inconsistent wideout Quentin Johnston.
Herbert draws a Week 1 matchup against a Chiefs defense that finished 18th against the pass last season. With much of the same defense, we can expect a similar outcome for Kansas City this year.
Consider Herbert a QB2 with upside and a solid play for Week 1.
Verdict: Start
MORE NFL NEWS
- Cowboys give $7.5 million contract update to key offensive player
- Amari Cooper lands in surprising spot on Raiders' latest depth chart
- Chiefs get concerning injury update on rookie wide receiver
- Ravens get difficult injury update for star TE heading into Week 1
- Mike Tomlin details Steelers' running back pecking order for Week 1
- Jared Goff, Lions disrespected in NFL analyst's NFC North prediction