The Los Angeles Chargers are 11-5 heading into their matchup with the Denver Broncos this Sunday. The game itself is nearly meaningless, with Los Angeles expected to rest several key players in preparation for the Wild Card round, where they will likely face the New England Patriots. Given that reality, this feels like a good time to take a step back and look at whose stock has risen or fallen over the final quarter of the regular season.

The box score numbers might not jump off the page, but anyone who has actually watched these games knows Justin Herbert has been playing out of his mind given the circumstances. Playing through a broken hand, operating behind a battered offensive line, and rarely benefiting from consistent run-game dominance, Herbert has still found ways to keep the Chargers competitive week after week. Calling it “Superman football” almost undersells it. If Los Angeles hadn’t unraveled in multiple ways against Houston, Herbert would be firmly in the MVP conversation. That ship has sailed, but his stock heading into the playoffs is undeniably rising.

Gadsden burst onto the scene once his role expanded, immediately flashing what looked like high-end tight end potential. For a fifth-round rookie, he has already exceeded expectations. That said, his impact has faded over the last four weeks. Against Houston, he unfortunately stood out for the wrong reasons. A dropped Herbert fastball that likely sets up a touchdown, followed by another drop on a perfect throw that stalled a drive, loomed large in a tight loss. The talent is still there, and the situation hasn’t always put him in the best spot to succeed, but it’s hard to argue that his stock hasn’t dipped heading into the postseason. The Chargers will need him to flip that narrative quickly if they want to make noise.

Henley finally looks like himself again. Early in the season, lingering effects from illness clearly slowed him down and left him playing out of sync. Over the past month, that’s changed completely. He’s flying around the field, making smart reads and delivering physical play that Jesse Minter’s defense relies on. Eleven tackles against Houston, a sack that never should’ve been wiped away, and a massive interception against Kansas City highlight a player who is regaining confidence at exactly the right time. His stock is unquestionably trending upward as the playoffs approach.

The Chargers have effectively closed the book on the 2025 regular season. Stock movement now matters less than what happens next, because one playoff game can change everything. If Los Angeles wants this run to last, they’ll need more players trending up when it matters most.