Alex Insdorf
alexinsdorf99.bsky.social
Alex Insdorf
@alexinsdorf99.bsky.social
@gacpodcast17 host of Bolt Breakdowns,
@BB_chargers contributor,
med student

inquiries: insdorfalexander@gmail.com

Formerly:
@thechargerswire for USA Today
Pinned
New Chargers Q + A pod:
-Is Salyer playing left tackle realistic?
-3-5 realistic changes the Chargers can make after the BYE week
-offensive and defensive needs for 2026
-attempting to set realistic expectations for the team going forward as far as the playoffs are concerned
youtu.be/vaxeTF5ROTE
Chargers BYE Week Q&A: Remaining schedule, OL reshuffling, and realistic playoff expectations
YouTube video by Guilty As Charged
youtu.be
New Chargers Q + A pod:
-Is Salyer playing left tackle realistic?
-3-5 realistic changes the Chargers can make after the BYE week
-offensive and defensive needs for 2026
-attempting to set realistic expectations for the team going forward as far as the playoffs are concerned
youtu.be/vaxeTF5ROTE
Chargers BYE Week Q&A: Remaining schedule, OL reshuffling, and realistic playoff expectations
YouTube video by Guilty As Charged
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 6:07 PM
CHARGERS BYE WEEK: Like I've done the last two years on Bolt Breakdowns, opening the floor to questions for this week's mailbag episode✉️

Chargers therapy, playoffs, free agency, the draft, non-football talk even-whatever you got, send in Q's via the comments👇
November 19, 2025 at 1:23 PM
New pod: disaster strikes once again in Duval.
-Everyone stunk except like four players
-Greg Roman: what the hell was that?🤔
-Jesse Minter's defense rerun of the Colts game😬
-Where is the Harbaugh edge for this team?
youtu.be/oYhRkeaFNHE
Chargers stomped by Jaguars: Horrible offensive gameplan, Minter's defense collapses, no "revenge"
YouTube video by Guilty As Charged
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 12:35 PM
New: while the Chargers have played down the return to Jacksonville revenge narrative, Khalil Mack let the media know it's on his mind.

"It's just certain things you gotta keep in your pocket and bring them out when the opportunity presents itself."

boltbeat.com/chargers-kha...
Chargers' Khalil Mack reveals feelings about Jaguars ahead of playoff rematch
Chargers' star pass rusher Khalil Mack didn't hold back when asked if he had any feelings on going back to Jacksonville this week.
boltbeat.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:20 PM
New: the Chargers got it done vs. the Steelers. Both NFL NGS + the Upshot model have LA at 82% to make the playoffs.

They now play their highest stakes playoff probability game this week, per The Athletic's Upshot.

W vs. JAX: 📈 93%
L vs. JAX: 📉 68%
boltbeat.com/chargers-pla...
Chargers playoff chances spike after massive SNF win over Steelers
The Chargers are sitting pretty in the playoff race after a big AFC win over the Steelers, but the job's not finished yet.
boltbeat.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:21 PM
New pod: everything from the Chargers' dominant win over the Steelers
-Keenan Allen shattering *the* record👑
-Justin Herbert getting the job done through some pain
-Kimani Vidal showing up big once again 😤
-Minter's defense sends Aaron Rodgers on a darkness retreat👴
youtu.be/rJZ8kNyaX1Y
Chargers dominate Steelers: Keenan Allen makes history, Ladd gets hot 🔥 + Minter's defense smothers
YouTube video by Guilty As Charged
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
New: 2 years ago, the Chargers were close to the top of every special teams metric. It earned Ryan Ficken a spot on Harbaugh's staff.

Now, the team is bottom of the league in key ST stats-how did we get here? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
boltbeat.com/chargers-unf...
Chargers' unfathomable regression on special teams has (and will) cost them games
Chargers' unfathomable regression on special teams has (and will) cost them games
boltbeat.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Chargers trade deadline-My 13 targets mentioned on the pod:
RB Jerome Ford
RB Tony Pollard
RB Breece Hall
OG Kevin Zeitler
OT Max Mitchell
G/C Cesar Ruiz
T/G Evan Neal
OG Ben Cleveland
T/G Dillon Radunz
OG Joel Bitonio
DT T'Vondre Sweat
OT Jack Conklin
DT Shelby Harris

On YT:
youtu.be/Up_4KhLxbbw
November 4, 2025 at 1:15 PM
New: The Chargers may still trade for a Breece Hall or Jerome Ford at the deadline-they’re in the RB market.

But Harbaugh threw his support behind Kimani Vidal in a way he hadn’t before: “He's been playing like a #1 running back in the entire league."
boltbeat.com/chargers-jim...
Chargers' Jim Harbaugh throws support behind Kimani Vidal ahead of NFL trade deadline
With or without RB Omarion Hampton going forward, Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh's most recent comments bode well for Kimani Vidal.
boltbeat.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:17 PM
New: It was announced that Justin Herbert had broken Peyton Manning's completions record for a QBs first six seasons. He didn't even react after being congratulated by Denzel Perryman.

He is also 1653 yards from breaking Manning's passing yards record.
boltbeat.com/chargers-qb-...
Chargers QB Justin Herbert not satisfied after breaking huge Peyton Manning record
Chargers QB Justin Herbert not satisfied after breaking huge Peyton Manning record
boltbeat.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:42 PM
New: Secondary injuries have piled up for the Chargers. For at least the Titans game, they'll likely be without their 2 top slot defenders in Derwin James + Tarheeb Still.

LA also worked out DBs this week as James, Jefferson + Molden deal w/ injuries.
boltbeat.com/chargers-get...
Chargers get unfortunate Tarheeb Still injury update piled onto secondary woes
Tarheeb Still could miss a few weeks as the Chargers' secondary continues to take some injury hits after Thursday Night Football.
boltbeat.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:36 PM
New pod, ICYMI:
ICYMI yesterday, new pod:
-Oronde Gadsden is a top 5 TE sooner rather than later😮‍💨
-A tone setting performance for the defense
-Herbert flashing more as an improviser🧑‍🍳
-under the radar performances: Tre' Harris as a run blocker and Kimani Vidal's pass blocking💪
youtu.be/LnZk3Dk9vUA
Chargers Wreck Vikings: Oronde Gadsden II is a star, surgical Herbert, and another Vidal showcase!
YouTube video by Guilty As Charged
youtu.be
October 26, 2025 at 8:27 AM
New: the Chargers have gotten *some* positive injury news with Joe Alt and Trey Pipkins making progess on their eventual returns.

But elsewhere on the roster, the depth at RB and DT has been gutted-they'll have to weather the storm on a short week.
boltbeat.com/chargers-con...
Chargers continue to weather injury storm before Thursday Night Football vs. Vikings
The injury hits keep on coming for the Chargers as they get ready for the Vikings on a short week.
boltbeat.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Bolts beat Fins, 4-2cast:
-Justin Herbert's heroics
-KIMANI VIDAL AND ORONDE GADSDEN LEGACY GAMES
-a defense that still looks undermanned
-A quality day for the special teams unit, praise Ryan Ficken

On YT:
youtu.be/_98oRLzgxb4
Chargers bounce back to beat Dolphins: Herbert is a winner, Vidal legacy game + improved ST play!
YouTube video by Guilty As Charged
youtu.be
October 13, 2025 at 3:57 PM
New: The Chargers are making calls at running back. Wrote about a handful of names that might make sense at the deadline.

Which RB would you want to see the Bolts trade for?

boltbeat.com/latest-nfl-r...
Latest NFL rumors tease a much-needed trade for the Chargers
It's been an unrelenting wave of injuries at the running back position for the Chargers. First, Najee Harris tore his Achilles in Week 3 against the Broncos. Om
boltbeat.com
October 12, 2025 at 1:34 AM
New: The Chargers now have 7 players designated for return from IR after placing DT Da'Shawn Hand on injured reserve today.

They already have 3 players on season-ending IR and have just 1 more available return spot left for 3 months.

It's Week 6.☹️
boltbeat.com/chargers-rea...
Chargers reaching unprecedented territory with rapidly growing IR list
As part of their Week 6 roster moves for Sunday's game vs. the Dolphins, the Chargers placed DT Da'Shawn Hand on IR. He left last week's loss vs. the Commanders
boltbeat.com
October 11, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Herbert's frustration with Bozeman's "MA" boiled over.

He tried to diffuse the situation: "A common mixup-we're going to be better. We talked it through as soon as we got off to the sideline, we said 'you know we're not going to let that happen again.'"
boltbeat.com/chargers-qb-...
Chargers QB Justin Herbert explains viral presnap mishap from Commanders loss
Chargers QB Justin Herbert had a rather frustrating miscommunication with center Bradley Bozeman in Sunday's loss vs. Washington.
boltbeat.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Harbaugh on S R.J. Mickens in the wake of the Gilman trade:
"He has a real quality of covering the field, sideline to sideline. He's got great range and good ball skills, understanding of the defense. That's come along very well. It's his time to shine."
boltbeat.com/jim-harbaugh...
Jim Harbaugh believes this Chargers rookie is built for the moment just handed him
Expect to see more action for Chargers rookie safety R.J. Mickens following the Alohi Gilman trade.
boltbeat.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I hate talking about the same things, but we're talking about the same things this week.
-Offensive line musical chairs
-24 penalties in two games
-bad tackling, bad special teams
-...can they even muster a turnaround?

sigh. new pod.
youtu.be/wJ6dToka4Jw
Chargers embarrassed by Commanders: O-Line musical chairs, bad coaching, and undisciplined football
YouTube video by Guilty As Charged
youtu.be
October 6, 2025 at 1:28 PM
New: Jayden Daniels will be wearing a knee brace, but he and Marcus Mariota still present the Chargers with a challenge on the ground.

Through 4 games, LA has given up an average of 41 rushing yards per game to opposing QBs-can't have that happen today.
boltbeat.com/jayden-danie...
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will return to action vs. the Chargers, but there's a catch
Jayden Daniels gets ready to make his return as the Commanders starting QB after missing two games with a knee sprain. The question is just how comfortable he'l
boltbeat.com
October 5, 2025 at 1:28 PM
New: Harbaugh knows who the Chargers are starting on the OL w/o Joe Alt-we'll find out Sunday.

Salyer and Deculus both got work at LT in practice while Becton could also kick outside.

Salyer started at LT last year vs. KC when Slater + Alt were hurt.
boltbeat.com/chargers-hc-...
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh leaves starting offensive line vs. Commanders a mystery
The Chargers have already ruled out LT Joe Alt for Sunday's game as he deals with an ankle injury. RG Mekhi Becton is listed as questionable for Sunday's game a
boltbeat.com
October 4, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Reposted by Alex Insdorf
youtu.be/RiCoSyx0v3U
New pod: They beat themselves in New Jersey against the Giants.
-14 penalties in all three phases😞
-Taking the ball out of Hampton's hands in critical moments falls on Greg Roman😠
-The Joe Alt injury 🏥and the lack of OL moves in the offseason
-poor special teams day
Chargers undisciplined in loss to Giants: VERY frustrating offense + the OL after Joe Alt's injury
YouTube video by Guilty As Charged
youtu.be
September 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
youtu.be/RiCoSyx0v3U
New pod: They beat themselves in New Jersey against the Giants.
-14 penalties in all three phases😞
-Taking the ball out of Hampton's hands in critical moments falls on Greg Roman😠
-The Joe Alt injury 🏥and the lack of OL moves in the offseason
-poor special teams day
Chargers undisciplined in loss to Giants: VERY frustrating offense + the OL after Joe Alt's injury
YouTube video by Guilty As Charged
youtu.be
September 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
boltbeat.com/nfl-insider-...
Michael Silver: "Some Chargers decision-makers believe there's a scenario in which Slater, 26, could be shifted to center, with a viable chance to excel at a new position."

I am... skeptical that highest paid tackle in the NFL will kick inside.
NFL insider floats shocking position change for Chargers star Rashawn Slater
Could Chargers OT Rashawn Slater kick inside to the interior offensive line in 2026?
boltbeat.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:07 PM
New: Rookie TE Oronde Gadsden II is going to play more after his breakout debut-Harbaugh: "He's gonna be in there more, he earned that."

"I just have a feeling," Harbaugh said. "I've been to this movie a few times. There's more good to come."
boltbeat.com/jim-harbaugh...
Jim Harbaugh just made his stance on beloved Chargers rookie crystal clear
Prepare to see a lot more of Chargers TE Oronde Gadsden II after last Sunday's NFL debut.
boltbeat.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:08 PM