In a 2024 NFL season full of surprising teams (looking at you, Washington and Minnesota), the Los Angeles Chargers enjoyed one of the biggest turnarounds in the league.
Los Angeles bounced back from a 5-12 campaign to go 11-6 and finish second in the AFC West. The first year of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach saw the team make the wild-card round of the playoffs and finish the season with the league’s No. 1-ranked scoring defense for the first time since 1963.
The Chargers retained top coaches on staff from 2024 to 2025 with Greg Roman and Jesse Minter returning to coordinate the offense and defense, respectively. They used much of their draft capital and free agent moves on bolstering the offense around franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.
One of the biggest moves was drafting running back Omarion Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was widely considered one of the best running backs in the draft and should have a significant role early on as a rookie.
The NFL preseason will be the first time Hampton and the other rookies, as well as some of those free agent signings, suit up for the Chargers. Most teams will play three preseason games, but Los Angeles is one of the exceptions.
Here’s why they’ll be playing an extra preseason game in 2025.
Why do the Chargers have an extra preseason game?
The Chargers have an extra preseason game thanks to the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Los Angeles will play the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
This marks the Chargers’ first time in the Hall of Fame Game since 1994.
One of the best players in Chargers history is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class: tight end Antonio Gates. The eight-time Pro Bowler spent his entire 16-year career with the Chargers and has more career receiving touchdowns than any other tight end in NFL history.
This marks the third year in a row that a former Chargers player or coach will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Former Chargers coach Don Coryell was inducted with the 2023 class and Dwight Freeney was a part of the 2024 class.
“Antonio’s candidacy is more than just stats, which by themselves are remarkable,” Hall of Fame running back and Gates’ former teammate LaDanian Tomlinson said in a statement. “His candidacy is about legacy. One that could be seen in the way he inspired his teammates, challenged opponents and coaches. He elevated the tight end position to new heights and inspired an entire generation of young athletes.
Chargers preseason schedule
Los Angeles will play four preseason games this year, compared to three for most NFL teams. Here’s the schedule:
- Thursday, July 31: vs. Detroit Lions (Hall of Fame game), 8 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Aug. 10: vs. New Orleans Saints, 4:05 p.m. ET
- Saturday, Aug. 16: at Los Angeles Rams, 7 p.m. ET
- Saturday, Aug. 23: at San Francisco 49ers, 8:30 p.m. ET
Chargers regular season schedule
Last season’s 11-6 campaign means the Chargers will face some stiffer competition this season. They’re already in a division with a Super Bowl contender (Kansas City) and a reigning playoff team (Denver) but will also face every team from the NFC East and AFC South. Their schedule rounds out against the second-placed teams from the NFC North (Minnesota), AFC East (Miami) and AFC North (Pittsburgh).
- Week 1 (Sept. 5): vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 8 p.m. ET, YouTube (Brazil)
- Week 2 (Sept. 15): at Las Vegas Raiders, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN (“Monday Night Football”)
- Week 3 (Sept. 21): vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 4 (Sept. 28): at New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 5 (Oct. 5): vs. Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
- Week 6 (Oct. 12): at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 7 (Oct. 19): vs. Indianapolis Colts, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 8 (Oct. 23): vs. Minnesota Vikings, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video (“Thursday Night Football”)
- Week 9 (Nov. 2): at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 10 (Nov. 9): vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC (“Sunday Night Football”)
- Week 11 (Nov. 16): at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 12: BYE
- Week 13 (Nov. 30): vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 14 (Dec. 8): vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN (“Monday Night Football”)
- Week 15 (Dec. 14): at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 16 (Dec. 21): at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
- Week 17 (Dec. 27 or 28): vs. Houston Texans, TBD
- Week 18 (Jan. 3 or 4): at Denver Broncos, TBD
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Chargers are playing in Hall of Fame Game: Preseason schedule