https://youtu.be/LQFB42dwmZg
The Los Angeles Chargers won 11 games in 2025 despite an offense devastated by injuries. Now Justin Herbert gets a healthier offensive line, Mike McDaniel calling the offense and a roster that has Smalls and Geoff Fienberg wondering just how high this team’s ceiling can go in 2026.
Geoff joins Smalls for a full Chargers season preview, starting with what went wrong last year. Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt going down forced Herbert into hero-ball mode for much of the season, while an excellent defense helped keep Los Angeles competitive. The Chargers still reached 11 wins, but another early playoff exit left Herbert facing the same old questions.
That makes 2026 different. The stakes are officially high.
McDaniel replaces Greg Roman and brings an offense built around motion, play action and creating easier opportunities for Herbert. Geoff believes that change could be enormous for a quarterback who spent too much of last season creating plays on his own.
The guys also break down Omarion Hampton’s potential for a monster second season, Keaton Mitchell’s role, Trey Harris’ upside and why Quentin Johnston could be one of the better late-round values in fantasy football.
Then it’s time to bet the Chargers.
Smalls likes Herbert to lead the NFL in passing yards and Hampton at 25-to-1 to lead the league in rushing touchdowns. Geoff makes the case for Herbert as an MVP bet and explains why bettors who believe in the Chargers might want to think bigger than simply betting them to win the brutal AFC West.
Can the Chargers finally turn Herbert’s talent into a legitimate Super Bowl run?
If the offensive line stays healthy, Smalls and Geoff believe this team has a chance to be much better than the market expects.
