Talk about a historic day.
Chargers' Oronde Gadsden shatters Antonio Gates' rookie record originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Oronde Gadsden had the game of his life.
The Los Angeles Chargers' rookie tight end quickly made the case to be the TE of the present and future in Justin Herbert's offense.
Gadsden's final stats in Week 7 for the Chargers against the Indianapolis Colts looked like this:
- 7 catches
- 164 yards
- 1 touchdown
Gadsden did a number of notable statistical things.
In franchise history, he crushed Hall of Famer Antonio Gates' rookie single-game receiving yardage record for a tight end. That had been 117 yards before Gadsden's humongous game, according to Alex Insdorf.
It's also the most receiving yards in a game by a rookie tight end in the last 25 years.
Here's that full list:
Most receiving yards in a game by a rookie TE:
— David J. Gautieri (@GuruFantasyWrld) October 19, 2025
(Since 2000)
1. Oronde Gadsden II (164)
2. Kyle Pitts (163)
3. Brock Bowers (140)
4. Sam LaPorta (140)
Gadsden has a quirky pedigree.
Those who followed him at Syracuse know he was an absolute star, pretty much operating as a receiver in his final season.
But then he fell to the fifth round of the NFL Draft, which slowed down the hype train quite a bit.
Now, though, the hype will pick right back up.
The Chargers came into the season expecting to use veteran tight ends Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin.
Now, it has to be all about Gadsden. He looks ready to uphold his end of the bargain.
Category: Football
