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What They're Saying: Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has 'always been a big fan' of Gardner Minshew II

The Raiders open the 2024 season on Sunday with a divisional showdown at the Chargers. Take a look at what the Chargers' players and coaches had to say ahead of Week 1.

On opening the season against a divisional opponent:

"We've got a lot of respect, like I said, for this Raiders team. They're very well-coached, they fly around, and you see that in the preseason. It doesn't take long for you to pick that up." - Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert

"I'm pretty sure it's going to be a good fight. That's a good team over there. Great players, great coaches." - Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins

"We've got a really, really strong opponent to start off with. Looking at the Raiders defense, they've got talent everywhere. They play extremely hard. They're very well-coached. A very experienced defensive coordinator. We know we've got our work cut out for us, but we're very excited about the challenge." - Chargers offensive coordinator Gregg Roman

On the challenges of facing a Patrick Graham-led defense:

"I think he's always got the flip side of the coin. He might try to show you something and try to get you to buy into that. Then he'll flip the switch on you. He definitely has a lot of different defensive approaches that he can tap into. Very multiple, sound. They play extremely hard up front, led by 98, [Maxx] Crosby. Obviously, I think everybody has worlds of respect for him and how he plays. He's the kind of guy that can wreck the game if you let him. So, you need to take that into account." - Chargers offensive coordinator Gregg Roman

On QB Gardner Minshew II:

"I've always been a big fan. He's a starting NFL quarterback. I think he presents a lot of problems. He plays with great ability and knowledge of the system and confidence. He's a winner. I've got a lot of respect for him." - Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh

On DE Maxx Crosby:

"He's great against the run. He's great against the pass. He is about as physical and as slippery as a guy could be. Both at the same time. Whatever one he chooses, you've really got to be on your details, your technique, to have success or get a stalemate. That is success against a guy like Maxx Crosby. He's a tremendous football player." – Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh

"We've got a lot of respect for him. We know how talented he is. We know how talented that team is. We have to have our best effort this week because we know how special that team can be, especially that defense that really flies around, makes a lot of plays. We've been watching a lot of film." – Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert

On Christian Wilkins' presence alongside Maxx Crosby:

"It definitely kind of multiplies what they can do and the different combinations they can build. They didn't play a ton in the preseason, but they're really, really good players. You've got to be ready for them for both on one side, splitting them, flipping them, whatever happens they could be anywhere. Really good football players." - Chargers offensive coordinator Gregg Roman

On WR Davante Adams:

"You've just got to be ready because he presents a lot of challenges. He's great at creating space." - Chargers safety Derwin James Jr.

On TE Brock Bowers:

"He's a unicorn. There are a few tight ends like him in the league that are as fast as he is, that are as athletic as he is, that have the catch ability that he has, the run after the catch abiity that he's shown in college, ability to make tough catches and also willingness as a blocker. He's a high-end draft pick for a reason. Talented player, and somebody that we certainly need to know where he's at and kind of figure out early how they're trying to utilize their tight ends. They've got a really good group there. Definitely a challenge we look forward to." - Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter

As the Raiders head to SoFi Stadium for their Week 1 matchup, take a look back at past matchups between the Silver and Black and the Los Angeles Chargers.

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