The Los Angeles Chargers have found a breakout star in rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II, whose historic performance placed him alongside franchise legends. The fifth-round draft pick accomplished something not seen in four years, evoking memories of quarterback Justin Herbert’s record-breaking rookie season in 2020.

As host Alex Insdorf of Bolt Breakdowns aptly put it, ”Oronde Gadsden II becomes the first Chargers player to win Rookie of the Week since CB Asante Samuel Jr. in 2021.” The Chargers’ new scoring threat delivered on a different level in Week 7, and well deserved his bling for it.

Gadsden II made history in Week 7 with a standout rookie performance: seven catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. His yardage ranks as the fourth-highest ever by a rookie tight end in the NFL, and it’s the most by a Chargers tight end since Antonio Gates in 2009.

Gadsden earned Rookie of the Week honors for his dominant showing against the Indianapolis Colts, backed by overwhelming fan support. With only six players eligible for NFL Rookie of the Year at season’s end, he’s already made a strong case to be one of them.

The 22-year-old also became just the third rookie tight end in the Super Bowl era to record both 150+ receiving yards and a touchdown in a single game. It marked the first time a Chargers tight end crossed 100 receiving yards since Hunter Henry did it in 2019.

For a player who was a healthy scratch in the first two weeks, Gadsden’s ascent has been remarkable. “Whenever he’s been looking for me, I’ve been a reliable target for him,” Gadsden said of quarterback Justin Herbert. “I just want to be able to be a guy he could trust and when throws the ball, I’ll be able to catch it.”

Head coach Jim Harbaugh agreed, complimenting the rookie for his versatility and work ethic. “I just go back to training camp when we could see the talent, we could see all that but the talent and just how driven he was, that showed up when he got here,” Harbaugh said.

Off the field, Oronde Gadsden II’s rise has taken an unexpected turn, even in fantasy football. He scored 29.4 points in Week 7 and became one of the most added players on ESPN Fantasy. But one person still refuses to play him: his father, former Dolphins wide receiver Oronde Gadsden.

On Miami’s 1043 WQAM, the elder Gadsden laughed, “It’s the second week in a row I’ve lost by under 10 points, and in my league they were like, ‘What dad leaves his son on the bench?’” He added with a smile, “We playing fantasy football now … he’s going to stay on the bench, He gon’ ride the pine!”

Justin Herbert’s rookie legacy

Gadsden’s story is another surprise for a Chargers offense still searching for rhythm this season. His chemistry with Herbert has developed quickly, and his versatility has added an exciting new dimension to Los Angeles’ formations.

The Chargers hadn’t seen such a dazzling rookie performance since Justin Herbert’s 2020 season. That year, Herbert rewrote the NFL record books and earned the title of Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, the first Chargers player to do so since Keenan Allen in 2013.

The Oregon No. 6 draft pick set a remarkable series of records: most rookie quarterback touchdown passes (31), most total rookie touchdowns (36), and most completions (396) in team history.

He also recorded the second-most passing yards (4,336) by a rookie quarterback in NFL history. A fan favorite week after week, Herbert won the Rookie of the Week award nine times, tying Ben Roethlisberger’s 2004 record for most in a season.

At the end of that historic year, Herbert joined an elite group when he was voted The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, awarded by Microsoft Surface. He became the 10th quarterback in franchise history to earn that distinction and the first Chargers AP Rookie of the Year since Joey Bosa in 2016.

Herbert’s rookie season remains the benchmark for Chargers first-round picks, and with Oronde Gadsden II following in his footsteps, the team may have found another rising star.

From Herbert’s record-setting debut to Gadsden’s breakout game, the Chargers continue to prove that their future, and indeed their present is powered by young heroes who don’t wait to shine.