The Los Angeles Chargers cruised to a dominant 37–10 win over the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium. Quarterback Justin Herbert knows well what it took to pull that off. Later, he spoke highly of the tight end Oronde Gadsden II, who is turning heads with his performance. Ahead of Week 9, Herbert also made it clear to the locker room.

“He’s gonna make a ton of plays for us and have a super long career,” he said about the rookie. “I’m just excited to be around it.”

And it’s understandable. Within just a few days in the season, Gadsden II has quickly emerged as a key offensive weapon for the Chargers. He was playing fewer than 50 percent of the offensive snaps in the first two games. Now, he’s climbed all the way up to become the fourth-leading receiver in the league.

Even in the 24 – 38 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, he had 164 receiving yards. This was also the highest total by a Chargers tight end. The last record was held by Hall of Famer Antonio Gates, who had a 167-yard performance in 2009. For those who aren’t aware, Gadsden’s father also played in the league. He played for the Miami Dolphins.

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Gadsen was impressive in Week 8, too. The TE had five catches, 77 yards, and a touchdown in the game. Herbert even added that the team will make sure the tight end continues to get the ball.

“We’re definitely gonna get him the ball as much as we can,” he said. “Because good things happen when he gets it.”

So, it’s not just the QB. The tight end’s performance has caught the eyes of the other teammates, too. “He’s a stud,” Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey said of the player. “I knew he was special. He’s getting his opportunity, and he’s playing like (a) vet.”

Just in his first year, his 385 receiving yards are only 22 behind the leading receiver, Quentin Johnston’s season totals. That has impressed the head coach, Jim Harbaugh.

The Chargers may have unearthed a new offensive star in rookie tight end Gadsden II. Gadsden became just the second rookie tight end, alongside Mike Ditka, to record over 240 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a two-game span. According to NFL Research, his 309 yards over the past three games place him in elite company with Kyle Pitts and Brock Bowers as the only rookie tight ends since 1970 to surpass 300 receiving yards in such a stretch, a remarkable feat for the fifth-round pick.

“Just super talented,” Harbaugh said. “The thing that strikes me the most is he plays like he’s been playing in the NFL for two, three, four years. He seems like a four-year, five-year player to me.”

Not just Gadsden, the coach also had massive praise for the other players.

Jim Harbaugh gave a shout-out to the Chargers’ rookies

As Alex Insdorf reported, the coach gave massive praise to the safety R.J. Mickens and wide receiver Tre’ Harris. Mickens made the first career NFL interception against QB Carson Wentz. The other rookie, Harris, caught a 6-yard pass from Herbert.

Another show stealer was running back Kimani Vidal. He racked up 117 yards on 23 carries and scored his first career rushing touchdown.

“He’s playing like a number one running back in the NFL,” the coach said. Harbaugh seemed to have faith in the player. With running back Najee Harris down due to injury, the coach chose Vidal to step up.

He also delivered an impressive performance in Week 5 against the Dolphins. He rushed for 124 yards against the team. Vidal has been a consistent difference-maker. The Chargers will hope for the same success when they face the Tennessee Titans.