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n 2017, San Diego experienced an unimaginable loss that many still feel to this day. The Chargers franchise, which had been based in the city since 1961, announced that it was moving to Los Angeles to become the Los Angeles Chargers in order to take advantage of the large market that Los Angeles has to offer. Many fans of the San Diego team felt robbed and saddened that their beloved franchise was being taken away from them.
And now, eight years after the big move, the Chargers are back where they started. During 2025 training camp, the Chargers will return to San Diego and hold two practices at the University of San Diego– hoping that they can alleviate some of the pain and regain some of their former fans. The betrayal is still felt immensely among San Diego natives, understandably so, and the Chargers hope that practicing in San Diego gets some of those hurting fans back on their good graces.
Jim Harbaugh and his San Diego Connection
Practicing in San Diego makes a lot of sense, not only because of the team’s connection to the city, but also because of the connection that head coach, Jim Harbaugh, has with San Diego. Not only was Harbaugh the quarterback of the franchise in 1999 and 2000 when they were still in San Diego, but Harbaugh’s head coaching career began at the University of San Diego back in 2004. When Harbaugh heard of the organization’s idea to practice in San Diego, Harbaugh not only was all for it, but he even suggested that they train at USD.
“I never once heard the olive branch analogy used. We love our fans. We love our L.A. fans. We love San Diego fans,” Harbaugh said. “We just want to go to them, you know, to our fans, wherever they might be. I heard the idea and said, ‘Heck yeah, let’s do it. And a suggestion, if I might, let’s do it at USD.'”
Even though the Chargers will not be down in San Diego for long, Harbaugh made sure to take in the moment when the team busses pulled up to USD for the first time.
“As the busses came through, I had … the little hairs on my arm were standing up,” Harbaugh added.
Justin Herbert’s Excitement for the Opportunity
Herbert was drafted in 2020 to replace Charger legend, Philip Rivers, who was the franchise’s quarterback while they were still down in San Diego. And even though Herbert has been leading the Chargers ever since he was drafted, and has evolved into a franchise legend of his own, he never got to play in San Diego and is excited for the chance to return to the place where the Chargers built their history.
“I think it’s really cool. You know, it’s a special place, the community, and unfortunately I didn’t get to experience it,” Herbert said. “But, I’ve heard stories. I know how special this place was. And to be able to come back and just go practice even, I thought it was a really cool experience.”
The Chargers will only practice in San Diego on July 22 and 23rd, before returning to Los Angeles to prepare for the season. The session on July 22 was only open to military personnel and their families but the session on July 23 is open to any and all season ticket holders. After that, the team will return to their traditional training camp schedule.
Chargers Back In San Diego for Training Camp: Report