One of the early storylines in the 2025 NFL season has been the surging Los Angeles Chargers. A playoff team in head coach Jim Harbaugh’s first season last year, they were expected to once again be a factor in the AFC. However, the Chargers have been more than just a factor through three weeks. They put the league on notice in Week 1, taking down the reigning AFC champion Chiefs in São Paulo in Week 1, and followed that up by beating the Raiders and Broncos in Weeks 2 and 3.
A big part of their success has been WR Keenan Allen. 13th-year wide receiver spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Chargers and is truly one of the franchise legends. His connection with former Chargers QB Philip Rivers made for must-watch TV, and he developed a similar rapport with current Chargers franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. After spending last year in Chicago with the Bears, the only season of his NFL career spent with another team, Allen returned to Los Angeles this offseason.
On Wednesday, Herbert spoke with the media on the connection he has with Allen and what it’s like having him back. “It was as soon as he came back,” Herbert said about how long it took him and Allen to reforge their connection. “For his workout, I actually ended up throwing to him. You know, I could tell.”
“We talked about our old routes and he picked it up just like that. And then his first practice back, I think he caught like six or seven passes and a couple touchdowns. It was just easy. And that’s the way it should be with a receiver like that, you know? He just makes plays. He’s so smart and understands defenses so well, and I say that all the time, I feel like I’m talking about it too much. But that’s just how good he is.”
This Los Angeles Chargers Offense is Firing on All Cylinders
Sean M. HaffeyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a pass for a touchdown defended by Riley Moss #21 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Through three games, Herbert leads the NFL in passing yards. Despite both Harbaugh and Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman traditionally leading run-heavy, slow-paced offenses, this year they’re leaning on their star quarterback and asking him to air it out more than ever.
The Chargers lead the NFL in passing rate over expectation, a stat that examines how often teams pass the ball in “neutral” game scripts: early downs, short-yardage, when the game is tied or when the team has a lead, etc. This continues a trend from the end of last season, when Herbert was asked to do a lot more with his arm and it led to a lot of Los Angeles wins.
And Allen is a big part of the offense in his return, as well. He has at least five catches, 60 yards, and a touchdown in each game so far. That consistency and reliability is huge for Herbert, and Allen keeps producing.
Can the Los Angeles Chargers win the AFC West?
As crazy as it sounds this early in the season, the Chargers already have a two-game lead in the division. They’ve played each of their AFC West opponents in succession to open the year and won all three games, including the São Paulo matchup with the Chiefs in Week 1.
There’s a long way to go, but Los Angeles doesn’t have the toughest schedule in the world. Already notching wins over the Chiefs and Broncos is a huge step towards winning the division.
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