2026 Los Angeles Chargers Preview (Ep. 2646)

Los Angeles Chargers Preview

Los Angeles Chargers Podcast Recap

Sean Green (@SeanTGreen) and Ryan Kramer (@KramerCentric) are talking best bets in this Los Angeles Chargers preview podcast. They’re joined by Chargers Super fan Justin Decker (@JustinDecker) to talk Los Angeles Chargers predictions. Additionally they drink some random North Korean liquor that Justin got in China.

Football is back! Preseason games are here, and the 32 NFL team previews here at SGPN keep rolling. Is this the year for the Chargers in Los Angeles? Year three of Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert, and adding Mike McDaniel to the offense. The hype is here every season for the Chargers. Can they truly “Bolt Up” in 2026? It’s time for the 2026 Los Angeles Chargers preview.

Los Angeles Chargers Preview

2025 brought expectations for this team in year two of the Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert pairing. They kicked this off 3-0 and were really rolling to start the year. They finished the season strong and earned another playoff berth. However, the season once again ended with a disappointing Justin Herbert performance in a playoff game. The team met the eventual AFC Champion New England Patriots in the Wild Card Round. Three points was all they could muster up in a 16-3 loss that sent them packing.

While the team was good, their offense was disappointing. Injuries ravaged the team, particularly on the offensive line and at the running back position. Justin Herbert had an efficient year, but the team was 20th in scoring offense. That led to the hiring of former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to oversee the offense. Their defense, on the other hand, was strong. They allowed just 20.0 points per game, good enough for ninth best in the league. Tuli Tuipulotu broke out, recording 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, and putting his name up there with the best pass rushers in the league. He was backed up by strong play from Ofafe Oweh, Justin Eboigbe, and Khalil Mack.

They beefed up their offensive line in the off-season. Adding center Tyler Biadasz and guard Cole Strange. Then, in the NFL Draft, the team selected four more offensive linemen. Protecting Justin Herbert is the top goal of this team. David Njoku was brought in as a veteran tight end presence to run alongside the young Oronde Gadsden II and Charlie Kolar. They also re-signed a good portion of their defensive stars, including Khalil Mack. Their first Draft pick was edge Akheem Mesidor out of Miami. He’ll bolster an already strong Chargers pass rush.

This team is set up for success. If their defense continues on the track they were on last season, which all signs point to. Then the offense stays healthy and puts together the season they are capable of. This team could be one of the most dangerous in the league. – Cody Zeeb (@Husker_Zeeb)

Cody’s Los Angeles Chargers Best Bet

Los Angeles Chargers Over 9.5 Wins (-135)

There are few teams I’m more excited for in 2026 than the Los Angeles Chargers. One of the better defenses in the league, this team has elite coaching. The addition of Mike McDaniel should push this offense over the edge. Herbert is already an established star. Omarion Hampton showed he could be elite if he can stay healthy and watch out behind this rebuilt offensive line. Ladd McConkey is a star at receiver, Quinten Johnston showed signs of life, and rookie Tre’ Harris flashed in 2025. Adding David Njoku across from Oronde Gadsden who I expect to have a breakout season, gives McDaniel a ton of weapons to play with. It’s an easy over for the Chargers in 2026.