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Chargers' unexpected Gadsden development is great sign for rookie breakout candidate

Originally posted on Los Angeles Chargers on SI
By Andrew Parsaud | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 6:30 AM ET

Perhaps one of the most intriguing stories for the Los Angeles Chargers this spring has been centered around rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II. Gadsden, a former receiver, had a breakout season at Syracuse last season where he caught 73 passes for 934 yards and seven touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 210 pound target for Justin Herbert has impressed many early.

Gadsden revealed that he gets up at 5 a.m. every day and immediately heads to the Chargers' facility. "I usually just wake up. I have a hard time going back to sleep once I get up so I may as well come over here and do some things before everyone else gets here."

And those blocking concerns? Not a big deal, says tight ends coach Andy Bischoff, per the team's website: "I think he's better than we thought. I think his fundamentals are clean, his want to is there. All you ever ask of a blocker is a willingness and we can take it from there. "

Even head coach Jim Harbaugh has noticed the hard work his rookie tight end has put in so far. Even though it's been a short time, Gadsden has seriously left a mark on the team already. "He's shown up and been what we thought, and with the personality that we thought, which is a real competitor and a real football player,. That's what we've been getting. Thrilled."

Gadsden will be apart of a revamped tight end room which now includes veteran Tyler Conklin. If Gadsden can have a strong training camp, there's no reason why he cannot be a major factor in the Chargers' offense early and often.

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