Last Updated on August 20, 2026 12:00 pm by Allen
Team Overview
The Chargers are looking to finally break through after back-to-back 11-6 seasons under Jim Harbaugh ended in first-round playoff losses, most recently a Wild Card exit at New England. Harbaugh fired longtime offensive coordinator Greg Roman and replaced him with Mike McDaniel, the innovative former Dolphins head coach, while promoting Chris O’Leary to defensive coordinator after Jesse Minter left to become the Ravens’ head coach.
With quarterback Justin Herbert still chasing his first career playoff win and a healthier roster around him, Los Angeles enters 2026 with real belief that year three under Harbaugh is when it finally gets over the hump.
Offensive Line Analysis
Tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries in 2025, are back and healthy to anchor a retooled front that also added center Tyler Biadasz and guard Cole Strange in free agency plus second-round rookie Jake Slaughter. It amounts to five new pieces up front compared to last season, all built around better protecting Herbert and finally translating his regular-season brilliance into the postseason.
Defensive Line Analysis
Veteran Khalil Mack, who re-signed on a one-year, $18 million deal, pairs with Tuli Tuipulotu, who is coming off a career-high 13 sacks, and first-round rookie Akheem Mesidor to give Los Angeles a legitimate three-man pass-rush rotation. All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr. remains the engine of a defense that finished top five in the league in yards allowed under Minter, giving new coordinator Chris O’Leary a strong foundation to build on.
2026 NFL Season
Week 1
Cardinals at Chargers | Sunday, September 13 | 4:25 PM ET | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Los Angeles opens as a massive home favorite, priced at -625 on the moneyline against Arizona’s +455, with the Chargers favored by 11.5 points, the largest spread of any Week 1 game since 2012, and the total set at 45.5 points. Arizona is coming off a 3-14 season and still sorting out its quarterback room, making this an ideal spot for the Chargers to debut Mike McDaniel’s offense against a clearly overmatched opponent.
A lopsided season opener gives Los Angeles a low-risk look at its new offensive and defensive systems before the schedule gets considerably tougher.
Odds to Win Division and Super Bowl
Odds to Win AFC West: +190
Odds to Win Super Bowl: +1700
Predictions
Overall Record: The Chargers are projected to finish around 11-6, in line with their track record over the past two seasons.
Playoff Chances: Among the safer bets in the conference to return to the postseason
Super Bowl Chances: A legitimate contender, with the shortest Super Bowl odds of the Harbaugh era
Los Angeles has the healthiest version of this roster yet, and a new offensive system built specifically to get more out of Justin Herbert. Expect the Chargers to be in the mix for the AFC West race all year, with the postseason breakthrough finally within reach if the offensive line stays on the field.
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