LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
2025 Record -11-6-0
Head Coach - Jim Harbaugh
2025 Offensive Rank - 334 YPG (12th); Rushing - 122 YPG (12th), Passing 212 YPG (18th) SCORING - 21.6 PPG (20th)
2025 Defensive Rank - 285 YPG (5th); Rushing - 105 YPG (8th), Passing - 180 YPG (5th) SCORING - 20.0 PPG (9th)
Key Player Additions - Tyler Biadasz (OL), David Njoku (TE), Cole Strange (OL), Trevor Penning (OL), Akheem Mesidor (LB)
Key Player Losses - Odafe Oweh (LB), Keenan Allen (WR), Mekhi Becton (OL), Bobby Hart (OL), Bradley Bozeman (OL), Da'Shawn Hand (DL), Zion Johnson (OL)
OFFENSE - Justin Herbert enters his seventh season as the quarterback for the Chargers and last season he had 26 touchdown passes along with 13 interceptions and 3,727 passing yards. He also rushed for 498 yards (6.0 YPC average) and scored two times. Trey Lance is the backup quarterback. The running game features Omarion Hampton, who gained 545 yards in his rookie season in nine games (ankle injury) while scoring four touchdowns and averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Kimani Vidal led the 'Bolts with 643 rushing yards (4.1 YPC) and scored three touchdowns. The wide receivers include Ladd McConkey (66 receptions for 789 yards and six TD), Quentin Johnston (51, 731, eight TD) and rookie Brenen Thompson (Mississippi) along with tight ends Oronde Gadsden II (49, 664, three TD) and David Njoku, who caught 33 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns with the Cleveland Browns last season.
DEFENSE - Defensive End Justin Eboigbe (six QB sacks), Delvin Tomlinson, Teair Tart and Jamaree Caldwell lead the front line for the team while the linebackers are Daiyan Henley (team leading 101 tackles), Denzel Perryman, Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, who had 13 sacks last year. Rookie Akheem Mesidor (Miami, FL) is another linebacker they will count on this season. The secondary features safety Derwin James, who had three interceptions and 94 tackles along with Tony Jefferson II (54 tackles and four INT) and cornerbacks Cam Hart, Donte Jackson (four picks) and Tarheeb Still. The Chargers defense amassed 45 sacks last season and intercepted 19 passes, which was third best in the league while ranking fifth overall in total defense.
2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - After two consecutive 11-6 finishes and first round AFC playoff exits, the Chargers are looking for more out of this talented roster. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has had success everywhere he has coached in both the NFL and college level. The key for the team will be on offense, where Herbert and company have to play better should they make the playoffs once again. The team has a new offensive coordinator with former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and he is regarded as one of the top offensive minds in the game. The hope for 2026 is that will be the difference in offensive production.
The defense has been one of the better units in the NFL for the past two years, but they will be with a new coordinator (Chris O'Leary) as well as Jesse Minter left to become head coach in Baltimore this season. How well the new plans on defense for this year can mesh with the players will determine just how good they can be. The Chargers were in the top ten in all the major defensive categories last year and feature a hard hitting secondary led by Pro Bowl safety Derwin James.
The 2026 season is Harbaugh's third year at the helm in Los Angeles and the Chargers would love to get out from under the shadow of the Rams, who share the same stadium with them and are deemed as the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Better pass protection is essential in 2026 as the team allowed 60 sacks last season and they brought in no less than five new linemen to help improve in that area. This team should be in the mix for another playoff appearance this season and as long as the key players on both sides of the football stay healthy, the sky could be the limit. The AFC West has the Denver Broncos and the always formidable Kansas City Chiefs looming, so the Chargers know what they have to do to attain success. Once January rolls around, this team should be ready to go in the playoffs. They just have to prove they can do it when the time comes.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Arizona
Week Two - vs. Las Vegas
Week Three - at Buffalo
Week Four - at Seattle
Week Five - vs. Denver
Week Six - at Kansas City
Week Seven - BYE
Week Eight - at L.A. Rams
Week Nine - vs. Houston
Week Ten - at Baltimore
Week Eleven - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Twelve - vs. New England
Week Thirteen - at Tampa Bay
Week Fourteen - at Las Vegas
Week Fifteen - vs. San Francisco
Week Sixteen - at Miami
Week Seventeen - vs. Kansas City
Week Eighteen - at Denver
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