The Los Angeles Chargers' updated Sept. 8 depth chart has given the tight end room a new look, with Oronde Gadsden II listed as third-string ahead of Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. For a player who spent his rookie season as the Chargers' TE1, the change is a clear sign that the pecking order has shifted.
That shift matters because the offseason additions of Charlie Kolar and David Njoku have changed the shape of the room. The Chargers now appear to have a different idea of what they want from the position, and Gadsden II's latest listing suggests his role has been reduced for the opener.
Gadsden II's rookie production had set a high bar
During the 2025 NFL season, Gadsden II finished with 664 yards and three touchdowns. That is a strong first-year return for a tight end and one that made his rise to TE1 easy to understand at the time.
But preseason form has not matched that standard. In three 2026 preseason games, Gadsden II recorded four receptions for 45 yards on six targets, a modest output that may have made the updated chart easier to justify.
The new depth chart points to a different emphasis
The Chargers brought in Charlie Kolar and David Njoku during the offseason to bolster the tight end room, and their presence now sits at the centre of the conversation. With Gadsden II listed behind them, the message is that the Chargers are not simply rewarding past production; they are also weighing what each player offers in the current system.
There is also a broader football reason for the change. The article notes that it may reflect a greater emphasis on blocking under Jim Harbaugh, which would explain why a productive receiver at the position has been pushed down the depth chart.
That does not mean Gadsden II is out of the picture. But it does mean his starting status, at least for Week 1, is no longer secure.
The next test comes against the Arizona Cardinals, where the Chargers will show whether this is a temporary adjustment or the start of a more permanent reshuffle in the tight end room.
