​ (Photo illustration by Tate Rudisill / Los Angeles Times; photos by Gregory Bull / AP Photo, Gregory Payan / AP Content Services for NFL)Chargers rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson said he doesn’t love zipping around.“To be fair, I really hate running,” Thompson, a former track star, said. “But I’m really good at it.”Thompson has proven that so far in Chargers training camp, sprinting around defenders and maximizing his 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame in passing drills.His speed and do-it-all attitude have made him one of Justin Herbert’s favorite targets, including on deeper routes, over the last two weeks.rook goin’ off on day 1 pic.twitter.com/EBCqT0GpZ4— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 29, 2026“He’s going to be very good,” Herbert said of Thompson. “We saw it early on that he was going to be. He’s skilled. He’s fast. He’s going to make a lot of plays for us. So, I’m really excited about him.”Added Thompson: “I know my speed is pretty much unmatched when I step on the field, and that’s something I take strong confidence in.”Thompson was clearly the fastest player going into the 2026 NFL draft after he posted a time of 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash, the third-best time ever, at the scouting combine.And after leading the Southeastern Conference with 1,054 receiving yards as a senior at Mississippi State, Thompson impressed the Chargers enough to be their fourth-round pick. Speed Kills ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/VdtNh0saZh— Joaquin Ruiz (@WalkingRuiz) August 8, 2026He’s thrived ever since — as a wideout and as a returner.“I agree with Justin,” added coach Jim Harbaugh. “We’re all seeing the same thing. Much like Akheem [Mesidor], so far, so good — really good.”Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken has been impressed with Thompson’s work ethic, saying “he’s willing to go ahead and put in the work.”The Chargers have good reason to be excited about Thompson’s budding role.Read more:Can Mike McDaniel’s quick-strike offense unlock Justin Herbert and Chargers?New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s scheme is largely focused on getting the ball to playmakers in space quickly. With Herbert being tasked this season with getting rid of the ball quicker, receivers are being tasked with finding ways of getting open sooner.“We’re doing a lot more motions, a lot more shifts, a lot more stuff like that. “[McDaniel’s] whole philosophy is speed and moving fast,” wideout Quentin Johnston said. “Just different formations … variations of the same route … I mean, shoot, that just shows how good a coach Coach Mike is — got us in different positions to be successful.”Thompson acknowledged he struggled to adapt to the NFL’s “20-word” play calls early on after coming from no-huddle communication rules in college.McDaniel, however, acknowledged the progress and dedication he has seen from the rookie over the last few months.Chargers wide receiver Brenen Thompson runs a