Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Chargers' Oronde Gadsden better than Bears' Top 10 rookie; Antonio Gates 2.0?

Originally posted on Los Angeles Chargers on SI
By Richie Whitt | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 11:28 PM ET

After another impressive performance for the Los Angeles Chargers, the questions are pouring in for rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden. As in ...

Will he be the next Antonio Gates? Is he already better than Colston Loveland?

In a dominating first half that continues a hot three-game streak, the fifth-round draft choice caught five passes for 77 yards against the Minnesota Vikings ... including an early touchdown and 40-yard catch-and-run to set up the Bolts' second score.

Who would you rather have at tight end?

Colston Loveland (Pick 10)
Oronde Gadsden II (Pick 165) pic.twitter.com/Wqa3w2eVtu
— Covers (@Covers) October 24, 2025

After a slow start to the season while the Chargers tried to prioritize returning veteran Will Dissly and free-agent signee Tyler Conklin, Gadsden has been unleashed. In the last 10 quarters of football, he has 19 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns.

With similar size and athleticism, Chargers fans are already salivating that Gadsden might be Gates 2.0. Antonio - 6-4 and 255 pounds - was signed as an undraffted free agent afte a stellar basketball career at Kent State in 2003. Gadsden - 6-5 and 238 - is a long and lean find from the University of Miami.

Oronde Gadsen is Antonio Gates 2.0?

Tight end Oronde Gadsden II is the first rookie TE since Mike Ditka in 1961 with 240 Rec yds and 2 Rec TD in a 2-game span.
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) October 24, 2025

Gadsden is just getting started. Gates wound up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

While that debate could take years to play out, Gadsden in Thursday night's first half had about as much production as another tight end Chargers fans coveted in last April's NFL Draft - Loveland. The Michigan product, picked No. 10 overall by the Chicago Bears, has only eight catches for 78 yards in his first six games. Gadsden, selected 165th overall, had five catches for 77 yards and a score in the first half alone Thursday night.