Boom or Bust: How Will the Chargers Rookie Linebacker Perform This Season?
Kyle Kennard arrives in Los Angeles with a mixed ledger of expectation and early-season frustration after being a Day Three pick in the 2025 draft. The narrative around Kennard shifted quickly from late-round value to a player who has struggled to secure consistent snaps and make an impact in games. That disappointment has been visible to fans and beat writers, who expected the Chargers to find instant rotational help off the edge but instead saw limited playing time for the rookie. Still, early struggles do not erase the production and traits that made him an intriguing selection at 125th overall. The question facing Kennard and the Chargers now is whether those traits can be turned into reliable NFL production for the remainder of this season.
At South Carolina, Kennard compiled a breakout season that put him on scouts’ radars, finishing with elite numbers in tackles for loss and sacks that led to considerable buzz heading into the draft. College tape showed a bursty first step, a bend around the corner, and a repertoire of rush moves that allowed him to generate pressure consistently against SEC competition. Those traits are the primary reasons the Chargers believed he could develop into a productive pro, especially in subpackages where speed and agility on the edge matter most. Transitioning those traits to the NFL level, however, demands consistency in technique, strength development, and situational awareness that takes time to cultivate. The Chargers’ coaching staff has repeatedly emphasized development plans rather than immediate expectations for Kennard’s snap count.
Preseason and training-camp reports framed the former Gamecock as a rookie with “the most to gain,” highlighting that his ceiling is high if he refines his pass-rush craft and adapts to the speed of NFL schemes. Analysts who pegged him as a high-upside pick stressed that there’s little downside to letting him grow behind veterans while giving him controlled opportunities to flash. That developmental framing explains why the team felt comfortable selecting Kennard in the fourth round despite having veteran cost and depth at edge positions. Real progress for Kennard depends on translating college rush techniques to pro-level counters and improving his hand usage and play recognition. If he develops on that trajectory, the payoff later this season or next could be substantial for the Chargers’ front seven.
Situational factors on the Chargers’ roster also shape the rookie linebacker’s immediate outlook and his chances to contribute meaningful snaps this season. The team retained experienced edge personnel and brought back veteran pass rushers, creating competition that both cushions mistakes and limits opportunities for rookies to play every down. Injuries to veterans could open playing time, and Kennard’s ability to step into rotational snaps will hinge on practice reps and special-teams contributions. Coaches value reliability on early downs and in coverage, so Kennard’s growth in those areas will accelerate his path to a larger role. For a rookie in a stacked group, seizing limited chances with high-effort, mistake-free snaps is essential to changing the narrative.
Early-season box-score metrics show Kennard’s raw NFL production has been modest, with only a handful of tackles and limited game appearances through the first weeks of the campaign. Those counting stats alone don’t capture pressures generated, alignment versatility, or how well he executes assigned stunts and rush lanes during a play. Still, the lack of splash plays has fed the “bust?” portion of the debate among impatient observers and some media outlets. Kennard’s floor remains that of a developmental rotational piece who can contribute situationally and on special teams while he polishes his technique. The Chargers’ front office and coaches have publicly leaned into patience, citing his physical tools and college resume as the basis for longer-term optimism.
Projecting Kennard’s season arc requires balancing his upside traits against clear evidence that he has not yet been a consistent on-field difference-maker at the NFL level. If Kennard refines his handwork, increases his play-to-play consistency, and carves out a niche on early-down pass-rush or subpackage pass-rush snaps, he can move the needle for the Chargers before the year ends. Conversely, if he continues to be outworked on the interior, struggles with play recognition, or fails to earn special-teams trust, his rookie year could become a quiet learning season that raises questions about long-term value. Ultimately, his outcome will depend on coaching, opportunity, and Kennard’s own ability to translate measurable traits into repeatable performance. For now, his rookie season reads like a clear “boom or bust” proposition that leans toward patient development with a sizable upside if things click.
