Los Angeles Chargers 2026 Offseason Outlook

The Los Angeles Chargers have gone 11-6 in each of Jim Harbaugh’s first two seasons as head coach, finishing in second place behind the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 and the Denver Broncos in 2025. Advancing to the wild-card round of the playoffs both times, however, the Chargers’ season ended there. In fact, the Chargers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2018 postseason, when Philip Rivers was still their quarterback.

The Bolts have another star quarterback these days in Justin Herbert. Through six NFL seasons, Herbert is on pace to put up some all-time great passing numbers — but the lack of playoff success id becoming a stigma. A big part of the problem last season was that both of L.A.’s excellent offensive tackles were injured, so Herbert was running for his life constantly. Getting those linemen back healthy will be as big a development as anything else the team can do this offseason.

Meanwhile, there has already been major offseason action in terms of the Chargers’ coaching staff. Highly regarded defensive coordinator Jesse Minter left to become the Baltimore Ravens head coach. The team hopes there will be minimal defensive dropoff now that Harbaugh hired veteran defensive coach Chris O’Leary, who has been part of Harbaugh’s staff in the past, to be the new DC. On offense, meanwhile, things could get very interesting with the hiring of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who’s been regarded as a brilliant offensive mind despite his shortcomings as the Miami Dolphins head coach the last four years.

2025 recap

The 2025 season looked very promising when the Chargers opened 3-0, with wins against all three of their division rivals. But then they inexplicably lost back-to-back games against the New York Giants and Washington Commanders. Slater, the starting left tackle, was lost for the season during training camp. Alt, the right tackle, had season-ending surgery in November. While Herbert completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, he was sacked 54 times — by for the most in his career. Overall, the Chargers allowed 60 sacks, fourth-most in the NFL last season.

Another key injury was to rookie running back Omarion Hampton, who missed eight games. Hampton led the team with four rushing touchdowns, but was held to 545 rushing yards in limited action. The passing game was buoyed by the return of 32-year-old Keenan Allen, who broke Antonio Gates’ franchise record for career receptions. Second-year receiver Ladd McConkey was less productive than his rokie campaign, while Quentin Johnston made some big plays and led the team with eight TD receptions.

Defense has been rhe key to Harbaugh-coached teams and that was the case again. The Chargers ranked fifth in total defense, ninth in scoring defense. Tuli Tuipulotu led the team with 13.0 sacks. Pro Bowl safety Derwin James led a solid secondary that produced 19 total interceptions, which ranked fourth in the NFL.

The defense came through in the wild-card matchup against the Patriots, but the overmatched offense was shut down in a 16-3 loss.

Key free agents

LB Khalil Mack
RB Najee Harris
G Zion Johnson
G Trevor Penning
WR Keenan Allen
DE Odafe Oweh
QB Trey Lance
RB Kimani Vidal

Chargers salary cap space

$83,542,941

2026 draft needs

Even with the expected return of tackles Slater and Alt, the Chargers need to bolster their interior offensive line. In his latest three-round mock draft, Luke Easterling has the Chargers taking guards with their first- and second-round picks, followed by a cornerback in the third round.

2026 opponents

Home:Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Arizona, Houston, New England, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco

Away:Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Buffalo, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle, Tampa Bay