During the 2025 season, Los Angeles’ biggest problem was their offensive line. Both starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt suffered season-ending injuries. The interior of the line couldn’t hold up on their own, as the Chargers tied for the second-most sacks allowed with 60.

Los Angeles has found their quarterback in Justin Herbert. They believe Omarion Hampton is the running back of the future. The Chargers are still building out their passing attack, but the point is, the pieces are in place for success.

If Los Angeles wants to take things to the next level offensively though, they’ll need to address their offensive line. Luckily for the Chargers, the perfect option has just become available.

The franchise must make a big splash in free agency and sign center Tyler Linderbaum.

Chargers must sign Tyler Linderbaum 

When the Baltimore Ravens selected Linderbaum in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Joe Horitz was the team’s director of player personnel. Now, Horitz is general manager of the Chargers. He knows exactly what Linderbaum is bringing to the table.

During the 2025 season, that meant a 80.3 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking fifth out of 40 centers. His 83.7 run blocking grade put him fourth overall. Linderbaum’s efforts were clear, as Baltimore finished the 2025 season ranked second overall in rushing, averaging 156.6 yards per game.

On the inverse, Los Angeles ranked 12th in rushing, averaging 121.6 yards per game. While that is a respectable mark, head coach Jim Harbaugh and company want their run game to be even more of a force. With Alt, Slater and Hampton healthy, alongside the addition of Linderbaum, at least on paper the Chargers would be a rushing force not to be messed with.

Los Angeles had a need for interior offensive line regardless of any decisions from 2025 starters. Still, the hole became even wider after Bradley Bozeman announced his retirement. He started 16 games at center for the Chargers in 2025, although his 51.7 grade from PFF, which ranked 40/40 centers, tells the whole story.

The Chargers haven’t been the biggest spenders in free agency. But they must now realize the opportunity in front of them with Herbert. The team is built to succeed now, but they can’t do so if the offense is getting stalled out by bad offensive line play.

Linderbaum can’t fix it all on his own, but he is one of the best anchors in the NFL. Having him in the middle between Alt and Slater provides the Chargers with one of the better O-line foundations when healthy. Furthermore, the center would give Herbert a firm building block to work with and more stability overall.

The Chargers won’t be the only team bidding for Linderbaum’s services, with the Ravens pushing hard to bring him back. However, he could be the missing piece to a Super Bowl run for Los Angeles. The franchise will need to open up the checkbooks. But signing Linderbaum in free agency would solve many of the issues that have plagued the franchise in recent years.

The post 1 free agent who would fix Chargers’ biggest flaw heading into 2026 season appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Clapp, a former seventh-round pick out of LSU, built a reputation as a dependable and versatile interior lineman. The New Orleans Saints drafted him in 2018, and he later started 14 games across two seasons with the Chargers. Capable of filling in at both the guard and center positions, he provided stability when injuries disrupted the lineup.

The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov shared the news on X (formerly known as Twitter), confirming the veteran’s decision to step away from the NFL.

“Veteran center Will Clapp has retired from the NFL.”

Meirov’s report arrives as Los Angeles continues evaluating its offensive front following a turbulent 2025 season. Injuries to Slater and Alt forced repeated reshuffling along the line. Mekhi Becton also missed time, exposing depth limitations that consistently affected Herbert’s protection.

Bozeman’s departure deepens the concern. He held the starting center role for the past two seasons and provided consistent leadership in the locker room. The Chargers now face the task of rebuilding the interior of their offensive line and raising the unit’s overall level of play.

Clapp concludes his career having appeared in 66 games with 22 starts across stints with the Saints, Chargers, and Buffalo Bills. Though not a marquee name, his value stemmed from reliability and positional flexibility. Teams often lean on versatile, experienced veterans like him to stabilize the trenches during difficult stretches.

Los Angeles must now address both starting positions and depth this offseason. Offensive line instability cannot persist if the franchise intends to maximize Herbert’s prime. Clapp’s retirement highlights a thinning pool of experienced interior linemen as the Chargers work to reestablish continuity and protection up front.

The post Chargers O-Line woes continue with retirement of key depth piece appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Still, general manager Joe Horitz knows Herbert can’t do it all on his own. Which is why he plans to spend the offseason building out the Chargers’ offensive line and pass catching room, via Eric Williams of NFL on Fox.

“I think [offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel] has got some good ideas in terms of the ways to protect Justin,” Horitz said. “We’re always going to try and help Justin. That’s throwing more players at all positions to help the team. We’re going to attack the O-line, we’re going to attack the defense, the backs, tight ends, everything. The more weapons and more players we can put around Justin, the better we protect Justin.”

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz pointed to scheme changes with new OC Mike McDaniel, upgrading OL and adding playmakers on offense as ways his team is working to better protect Justin Herbert this offseason. pic.twitter.com/3hfqzQKzJR

— Eric Williams (@edubnfl22) February 24, 2026

With both starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt suffering season-ending injuries, the Chargers tied for the second-most sacks allowed with 60. Even with both returning in 2026, Los Angeles will need to address the interior of the offensive line and any potential backup tackle options.

In terms of their pass catchers, wide receiver Keenan Allen led the way with 81 receptions for 777 yards and four touchdowns. Ladd McConkey has become a trusted weapon, making 66 grabs for 789 yards and six touchdowns. Former first-round pick Quentin Johnston has found his stride, leading the team with eight touchdown receptions, alongside 51 catches for 735 yards.

And still, Los Angeles finished the regular season ranked 18th in total passing, averaging 212.2 yards per game.

Having Herbert under center will give the Chargers a chance in any matchup. But now Los Angeles must find the best way to build around him.

The post GM Joe Hortiz teases how Chargers will fix big Justin Herbert problem appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“After 8 seasons in the NFL, I’m ready for my next chapter. This game has given me so much — lessons, lifelong friendships, and memories my family will carry forever. I’ve poured everything I had into this journey, and I walk away grateful and proud,” the 31-year-old Bozeman wrote in the post, which includes snapshots of his time with the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers and Chargers. The last slide shows him in a Chargers uniform while on the field with his family.

Bozeman continued: “Thank you to every teammate, coach, and fan I was blessed to cross paths with along the way. Thank you to my amazing family who supported me every step of this journey, to my three amazing kids — Brody, Bailey, and Boone — who made every sacrifice worth it, and especially to my unbelievable wife, my ride or die from the very beginning. I couldn’t have done any of this without you!

Bozeman began his NFL career when he was taken by the Ravens in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft as that class’s 215th pick overall. He played for the Ravens for four seasons from 2018 to 2021 before going to the Carolina Panthers. He suited up for the Panthers from 2022 to 2023. He was released by Carolina in 2024 before landing with the Chargers in 2024 to be part of Justin Herbert’s protection unit.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with Los Angeles in 2025. With his retirement, the Chargers should be able to save around $6 million in cap space.

The post Chargers’ Bradley Bozeman announces retirement from NFL appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After the Achilles tear, Harris’ agent, Doug Hendrickson, posted a video on social media of the progress that Harris has made since tearing it at the end of September. He was already running on a treadmill, and it had been 5 months since the injury. Usually, these types of tears take 9 to 12 months to fully recover from, so this was a major sign of progress for Harris and the Chargers.

Hendrickson’s post on X read, “Najee Harris looking OUTSTANDING 5 months post op from Achilles. Running with ease at 15 mph.”

“It’s unfortunate … he was really playing well,” Head coach Jim Harbaugh said at the time of the injury. “… Najee will be back, I have no doubt about it.”

The Achilles tear also came after Harris opened the season on the non-football injury/illness list ahead of training camp after a July 4 fireworks mishap that damaged an eye. He missed all the Chargers’ training camp practices but was ready for the beginning of the 2025 season.

It is also worth noting that Harris had never missed a game in his NFL career, and his durability is one reason he was attractive to the Chargers. This injury was a huge shock because of that.

He rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His running style is one Harbaugh covets, and having Harris to start the season was seen as crucial to how good the Chargers could have been in 2025.

It is also worth noting that Harris is an upcoming free agent after playing last season on a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Chargers. He could always decide to come back to the Chargers, but the backfield will be more crowded thanks to the emergence of Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal.

The post Former Chargers RB Najee Harris posts eye-opening rehab video after Achilles tear appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Yet we’re thinking more about who he likely won’t work with here.

The Bolts are back at a well-known spot in the Harbaugh era: Moving forward from an early postseason exit. Adding the former playoff head coach for the Miami Dolphins became the first big step toward addressing the latest AFC Wild Card letdown.

Next comes allowing these free agents to walk — all to make the Bolts more salary compliant and build through the NFL Draft again. We’ll start with a past prized signing who must look elsewhere.

Time for a new Chargers right guard

Mekhi Becton became a free agent bust after signing for $20 million.

Becton even brought a Super Bowl ring in tow last offseason via the Philadelphia Eagles. Many across the league lauded the move as a step toward improving a bad offensive line.

But Becton battled injuries, inconsistency and played on a Bolts line that looked even worse than last year.

Becton is due $2.5 million plus carries a $12.2 million cap hit per Spotrac. L.A. can save money here by severing ties and allowing him to start his free agent process earlier than his original 2027 offseason projection.

McDaniel likely won’t like Becton’s 63.4% run block win rate for his zone running scheme. L.A. may need to turn to April’s draft for Becton’s upgrade or allow McDaniel to lure in a past IOL of his in James Daniels.

Keenan Allen has had his run

It’s looking like the Chargers and the record-breaking franchise wide receiver are heading for another separation.

This time for good, with Allen now heading toward his 34th birthday.

Allen returned to become an 80-catch threat again after one year with the Chicago Bears. But this WR core now belongs to Ladd McConkey. Plus fellow second rounder Tre Harris likely will see increased chances here.

This WR unit can even add a downfield threat in the second day of the draft. Allen, meanwhile, will become highly coveted for teams seeking leadership on the perimeter.

Who else must walk for the Chargers?

Looks like it’s down to Najee Harris and Khalil Mack here.

The Harris experiment flopped too for Harbaugh as he suffered a season-ending injury. Mack, however, is 35 and still costing way too much money ($18 million cap hit for last season).

It’s time for Mack to seek another place that can squeeze one more year out of him or two. The Chargers should be content with Tuli Tuipulotu taking over as the lead pass rusher.

But what to do with Harris? L.A. not only lost him but top draft pick of 2025 Omarion Hampton. It didn’t help that both played with a disappointing offensive line. Both look like strong fits for McDaniel’s offense, though. This is a scenario where Harbaugh intervenes and gives Harris one more chance.

Even if the past 2021 first rounder enters free agency, he’s likely not going to command a high price tag. Harbaugh can bring him back in the interest of fairness — but knows this experiment could be short-lived in 2026.

The post 3 players Chargers must let walk in free agency during NFL offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Los Angeles is also in a unique financial position for a contender. The Chargers possess significant cap space for 2026, which presents them with many options. Teams with available cap space often squander it by hesitating, which can result in overpaying for solutions when the market tightens.

Harbaugh is not inclined to operate this way, and McDaniel’s offensive system does not function effectively when the roster is patched together with bargain players. If the Chargers intend to spend like a true contender in March, they should create even more flexibility now by restructuring a few substantial contracts that can be adjusted.

Here are four moves the Chargers should consider to clear salary cap space in the 2026 offseason:

Justin Herbert

The simplest move here is to restructure Herbert’s contract, which would adjust the cap sheet without affecting the starting lineup. Herbert’s cap number for 2026 is big, but its structure is typical for teams looking to create cap space. The team can convert a portion of his base salary into a signing bonus and spread that bonus over the remaining years of his contract.

This maneuver is foundational but crucial for football purposes. McDaniel’s offense relies on combining run formations with play-action passes, requiring functionality across the entire unit, not just at the quarterback position.

If the quarterback’s salary is too high, it can restrict investments in other critical areas, such as swing tackle, third receiver, and a running back capable of pass protection and receiving without revealing plays.

Derwin James

Derwin’s value lies in his ability to solve multiple defensive challenges simultaneously. He can play deep in the secondary, shift down late in the play, and handle responsibilities in the box when necessary. This versatility influences how opponents perceive the defense before the snap and allows the coordinator to compensate for weaker players without predictability in coverage schemes.

The issue is that the salary allocated for a luxury safety can become burdensome when trying to add cornerback depth, maintain edge players, and support an offense with championship aspirations. Therefore, a restructure or a short extension for James makes sense.

Rashawn Slater

The conversation surrounding left tackles is fundamentally about how the offense operates. When your left tackle is reliable, you don’t need to constantly keep a tight end close to the line or chip defenders on every other play. This stability allows for deeper play-action concepts without relying heavily on max protection. Slater brings a sense of calm to the offense, which is crucial when trying to make the run game appear consistent across various formations.

The best move here would be to extend his contract, reducing the 2026 cap hit while securing the position during Justin Herbert’s prime. Tackle prices are continually increasing, and delaying negotiations rarely simplifies the process.

Mekhi Becton

This contract presents an opportunity to generate cap space through removal, but the rationale needs to be specifically tied to football performance. McDaniel’s running schemes can put stress on interior linemen, requiring guards to reach. When a guard struggles with their footwork or hand placement, the run game falters, resulting in numerous two-yard carries and challenging second-down situations.

In terms of pass protection, a guard who can’t consistently anchor forces the center to compensate, affecting the entire line’s protection schemes. If the Chargers believe Becton fits their system and can remain healthy, they might choose to keep him and possibly restructure his contract.

However, if the staff views him as inconsistent, it may be time to part ways.

The Los Angeles Chargers can afford to be aggressive, but only if they can shape the cap situation early enough. If they wait, they will still have cap space but will be shopping later than teams that acted quickly. This delay can lead to a situation where they are satisfied with their offseason instead of actually improving their roster.

This approach also reflects why the Chargers are structuring their offensive staff as they are. McDaniel is inheriting a roster with a franchise quarterback and high expectations. The addition of Henley brings in someone familiar with the running game, aiding in correcting details during the install phase rather than after the first few games.

Hiring Gase adds another experienced perspective for weekly planning and adjustments. Harbaugh has also brought in a new offensive line coach for a reason: the Chargers are signaling their intent to be a team that can run effectively when necessary and punish defenses that overcommit.

On another note, former Chargers defensive back Nasir Adderley has announced his intention to make an NFL comeback after stepping away from football in 2023. He shared that he spent the last three years focusing on health, family, and entrepreneurial ventures, only to realize how much he misses the competition, camaraderie, and the game itself.

Adderley was a second-round pick in 2019 and started regularly from 2020 to 2022, and now he’s eager for another opportunity in the league. Even if he lands elsewhere, it’s a story that teams are likely to monitor closely as they fill out their rosters.

For the Chargers, executing their offseason plan is straightforward if they act quickly. They should reshape the quarterback cap hit to create room without compromising on-field performance, smooth out the defensive centerpiece contract to facilitate additions in March, secure the left tackle position with a contract structure that mitigates the 2026 spike, and make a definitive decision on a costly line contract based on scheme fit and reliability week to week.

By taking these steps now, the rest of the offseason will become more manageable, and the offense being built by Harbaugh and McDaniel will have a better chance of maintaining consistency come September.

The post 4 moves Chargers must make to clear salary cap space in 2026 NFL offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Chargers dealt with a major weakness on the offensive line after injuries to star tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, along with key injuries to running backs Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton. They did that not only with the stellar play of quarterback Justin Herbert, but also by winning games with their defense. Jesse Minter was the biggest part of that, but the play of veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack also had a big impact.

At nearly 35 years old, Mack isn’t the game-wrecking force that he once was back in his prime when he won the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year with the Raiders and nearly won it again in 2018 with the Bears. However, he is still a quality pass rusher and is great against the run. In 2025, Mack racked up 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and four forced fumbles in just 12 games.

Now, Mack is a free agent and the Chargers will have to decide if they want to pay up to keep him in Los Angeles for another year. Where could the former top five pick land in free agency?

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens’ defense started off as a liability in 2025, but Baltimore’s defense really turned things around as the season went on. An injury to Kyle Hamilton hurt this unit in its final loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but there is no question the talent is there on this roster to make a big leap and be a truly elite unit in 2026.

The hire of Minter as Baltimore’s new head coach to replace John Harbuagh should only supercharge that unit. Minter obviously worked with Mack for the last two seasons in Los Angeles and the two had a lot of success together, so this makes sense as a landing spot for Mack in free agency.

From a personnel perspective, edge rusher is probably Baltimore’s biggest need coming into this offseason, especially after trading Odafe Oweh to the Chargers midseason. Minter is known as a master of maximizing his personnel after taking a undermanned Chargers defense and turning it into a top 10 unit last season. Adding Mack to a unit that already includes stars like Hamilton could turn this into a buzzsaw in 2026.

Los Angeles Chargers

Of course, the Chargers would love to keep Mack around this offseason if possible after he formed a formidable edge group with Oweh and Tuli Tuipulotu during the back half of the season. The scheme will obviously be different next season, but new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary has worked under Minter before, so there will be some familiarity there.

Unfortunately for Los Angeles, there is a world out there where this defense takes a big step back without Minter next season because of what it lacks on the personnel front, even if O’Leary ends up being a quality defensive coordinator. Bringing Mack back would give the Chargers someone who can play all three downs against both the run and pass, which would be a big boost. Having him back in the locker room would be a big plus as well.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are in a bit of a weird spot after missing out on the playoffs in 2025, in large part due to their shortcomings on defense. Injuries in the secondary were costly for Todd Bowles and company played a big part in that, but the lack of a pass rush was a big reason why opposing quarterbacks were able to have their way with the Tampa Bay defense.

The Bucs finished third in the NFL in pressure rate this season, but that’s a bit of a misleading number. It’s no secret that Bowles loves to bring blitzes, and he did that at the fourth-highest rate in the NFL in 2025. When the Buccaneers didn’t blitz, their pressure rate dropped to 10th in the NFL, and they finished with the 18th-highest sack rate in the league on those plays according to Next Gen Stats.

Mack isn’t a game-wrecker as a pass rusher like he used to be, but he is still capable of getting home on a consistent basis without the help of the blitz and can challenge for double-digit sacks if he is healthy all season. It’s unlikely that Bowles ever fully abandons his blitz-heavy style, but having Mack up front would give him the ability to hold back a bit and keep more guys in converge if the situation calls for it.

The post 3 best Khalil Mack free agent destinations in 2026 NFL offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

It also means Jim Harbaugh hasn’t won a playoff game since taking over as the Bolts’ head coach.

Harbaugh has delivered strong results once April arrived. He landed Joe Alt as his first Chargers pick, but also discovered Ladd McConkey as a second-round talent. Even Omarion Hampton looked like a 1,000-yard back before his November injury that ruled him out of 2025.

Unlike their LA neighbor, the Rams, the Chargers hold just one first-round selection. Here’s who national pundits are saying will “Bolt Up” for LA soon.

Guard Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Mel Kiper and Field Yates, ESPN; Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports; Tim Crean, ClutchPoints; Damian Parsons, Bleacher Report

Harbaugh called Alt a new “weapon” addition — citing him as “the tip of the spear.” Kiper and Yates project Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz roll with offensive line help again two years after Alt.

“No fan base needs to be reminded less on the importance of offensive line play and health than the Chargers’ faithful,” Yates wrote.

This move certainly should make Justin Herbert happy, especially after taking 60 sacks. Ioane is a “no-nonsense” talent per Yates, who’s even hailed as the “most physical offensive player in the class.” ClutchPoints’ Crean, Bleacher Reports’ Parsons, and CBS Sports’ Wilson also believe Ioane is the selection here.

DT Peter Woods, Clemson

Mike Renner, CBS Sports 

The Chargers can pivot to the other trenches, too, at pick No. 22 with the powerfully quick Woods.

“Jim Harbaugh loves building through the trenches, and the chance to land a physical specimen like Woods may be too good to pass up,” Renner writes.

Harbaugh also has a history of getting his defensive tackles to play hard a la Poona Ford and Teair Tart.

DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network 

Jeremiah rates the Red Raiders’ star higher than Woods. Calling the DT “one of my draft crushes” while calling him a Bolts fit.

“He has outstanding size, quickness, and the ability to disrupt,” Jeremiah wrote.

He also adds that Hunter can provide insurance with Tart an incoming free agent.

Will the Chargers consider a trade out of the first round?

One analyst believes the Bolts will move down.

Chad Reuter of the NFL Network envisions the franchise moving down in the first round in a deal with the Houston Texans.

“The Texans send two fourth-round picks to the Chargers, who currently have just two Day 3 selections, in order to solidify their right tackle spot,” Reuter predicts.

Blake Miller of Clemson lands in Houston through this proposal. But the Bolts take offensive line help at No. 28 via Chase Bisontis of Texas A&M. Reuter adds this move can compensate for potential losses of Zion Johnson and Jamaree Salyer.

The post Chargers’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup post-Super Bowl as draft season ramps up appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The duo took in a high-stakes matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks, and they certainly picked a good night to show up. While the Mavericks were shorthanded without rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, the atmosphere was electric as the Lakers looked to bounce back from a rough patch. By halftime, the Lakers held a 57-46 lead, fueled by a vintage effort from LeBron James, who returned to the lineup after sitting out the previous game.

#Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh and OC Mike McDaniel at the Mavericks/Lakers game tonight in Los Angeles:

( @mcten) pic.twitter.com/12hjZdOLe0

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 13, 2026

For Chargers fans, seeing Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel together in public is the ultimate sign. The hiring of McDaniel is being hailed as a masterstroke for a team looking to finally unlock the full potential of quarterback Justin Herbert. After spending the last few seasons leading the Miami Dolphins, Mike McDaniel brings a cutting-edge offensive philosophy to a Los Angeles Chargers squad that has often struggled to find consistency.

Jim Harbaugh hasn’t been shy about his admiration for his new play-caller, either. At a recent press conference, Harbaugh admitted he was “enthralled” just listening to McDaniel talk about football. The synergy between the two was on full display as they chatted courtside, likely plotting how to leverage the speed of players like Tre Harris and the power of Omarion Hampton in 2026.

The Chargers are entering a pivotal offseason with roughly $87 million in cap space, the third-most in the league. With a revamped coaching staff that now includes former Dolphins run game specialist Chandler Henley and even former head coach Adam Gase in a senior role, the “Harbaugh-McDaniel” era is officially underway.

The post Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh, Mike McDaniel rep Los Angeles at Lakers game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Jim Harbaugh has coached the Bolts to an 11-6 record for two straight seasons. In two playoff games, the Chargers have struggled. The defense played well, but the offense has not gotten the job done at all, or really gotten close. The focus will be to revamp the offensive line that must improve protection for Justin Herbert.

The Bolts do not need any starting tackles. Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will be back at the two starting spots next season. Their absence last year made it difficult for the offense to reach its full potential. There will be a ton of guards in free agency, and Los Angeles should be entertaining some of them with starting left guard Zion Johnson entering free agency.

LA has been linked to the Penn State guard, Olaivavega Ioane, in recent NFL mock drafts. ESPN’s Field Yates believes the Bolts will select the top-ranked guard prospect in the draft if he falls to 22. Ioane is a great guard, but there are not many teams interested in taking one early in the first round. That could benefit the Chargers.

Whether Joe Hortiz, Harbaugh, and the Chargers go in that direction or not, there are some crucial free agents that they MUST sign. The Bolts have roughly $83 million in cap space to work with.

Center Tyler Linderbaum

Spotrac Market Value: $17.7 million

Of course, this isn’t how it works, but the Chargers could sign Tyler Linderbaum as the only and only free agent this offseason, and it would be considered a success. The Bolts need this center to protect Herbert in the worst way possible. Linderbaum could enter free agency if he does not re-sign or get franchise-tagged by the Baltimore Ravens.

Linderbaum was a Top 5 center last season with a Top 5 PFF grade of 80.3. He would fit right in, going from John Harbaugh to Jim Harbaugh, knowing the culture will be identical. Los Angeles should throw him whatever he wants to make sure he signs.

WR/Returner Rashid Shaheed

Spotrac Market Value: $14.1 million 

The rising star receiver and return specialist has made a big name for himself over the last couple of seasons with the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks. If Seattle lets him walk to free agency, he would be a hot commodity. Many, if not all, teams would want that return power available and the speed that can outrun every defensive back.

Rashid Shaheed is a San Diego native, growing up watching the Chargers. Shaheed would instantly become a playmaker offensively alongside Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris, and Quentin Johnston. Shaheed would become the returner and improve that group tremendously.

Linebacker Devin Lloyd

Spotrac Market Value: $20.1 million

This is a move that will likely not happen, but the Chargers certainly have the money to spend this offseason to get it done. Devin Lloyd is going to be expensive, but the Bolts can match his price. LA also needs a linebacker to pair alongside Daiyan Henley.

Lloyd, like Shaheed, went to high school in San Diego and is familiar with Southern California. Lloyd would give the Chargers another huge name on defense that is aiming to remain a top-5 unit in the league. Lloyd was a second-team All-Pro in 2025.

Guard Ed Ingram

Spotrac Market Value: $13.0 million

Ed Ingram is one of the best guards available on the open market. The Bolts need to consider bringing him in to play either left or right tackle. Fixing the offensive line is the top priority for the Chargers, and they have the money to afford him. Ingram’s PFF grade was 71.5 in 2025, placing him 18th among guards.

If the Bolts can come out in 2026 with an offensive line of Slater-Ioane-Linderbaum-Ingram-Alt, then no person on earth will be happier than Justin Herbert.

EDGE Dre’Mont Jones

Spotrac Market Value: $10.3 million

The Chargers could lose both Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh to free agency, they could sign both, or they could sign one and lose the other. It is still too early to tell. One thing is true, and that is that the Chargers will do whatever they can to retain them both, if not just one of them. Mack wants to play for a contender with a chance at a Super Bowl before he hangs up the cleats. As for Oweh, he is set to make roughly $20 million per season on this next contract. If LA loses both, they will shift to the open market.

This is where Dre’Mont Jones comes in. The former Ohio State star has been a solid defensive pass rusher in his 7-year career. He finished with seven sacks between the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens in 2025. He would go from one Harbaugh to the other and would be a great rotational piece, either with or opposite of Tuli Tuipulotu.

The post 5 sneaky good NFL free agents Chargers must sign in 2026 offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Oweh will enter free agency ahead of year 6 in the NFL. The Los Angeles Chargers will try to bring back the pass rusher; however, he could hit the open market to test his value. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Oweh turned up the notch and became a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.

He did not register one sack with the Ravens in 2025, but with the Bolts, he earned 7.5 sacks along with 28 tackles and three stuffs in the regular season. In the playoffs, Oweh had three sacks against Drake Maye and was one of the major reasons the game did not end worse than it did for LA.

Oweh finished 2024 with 10 sacks, so the last two years have given him enough firepower to command a large contract this offseason. According to Spotrac, Oweh has roughly a $19-20 million average and is projected to earn a 3-4 year contract as a 27-year old. He could very well command north of $20 million, considering how well he ended the 2025 season.

Let’s take a look at the four teams that could seriously benefit from the former Penn State product’s presence on the field, in no particular order.

Los Angeles Chargers 

It would be a major mistake to let Oweh leave for another team in free agency. The Chargers benefited tremendously when throwing Oweh out there across from Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, especially in the playoffs. Mack is a pending free agent as well, but Mack shocked many when he re-signed with the Bolts after being traded there from the Chicago Bears in 2022. If the Chargers decide not to franchise tag Mack, there is a slight possibility they decide to tag Oweh instead.

The Chargers lost Jesse Minter to the Ravens and hired Chris O’Leary as the new defensive coordinator. Making sure the Bolts continue to have a deadly pass rush will be at the top of O’Leary’s mind.

Signing Oweh to a 4-year $75 million contract should be enough to keep him in LA. If he commands more than $20 million per season, then the Chargers may look in a different direction.

Chicago Bears

The Bears need a strong defensive end to pair up with Montez Sweat. The Chicago defense was incredible in 2025, but the pass rush was at the bottom of the barrel. The Bears forced many turnovers and had a +22 turnover ratio (1st); however only had a combined 35 sacks (22nd) on the season. Sweat led with 10 on the year and had more than the rest of the defensive ends’ combined.

Bringing in Oweh would give them two solid pairs on the outside. Chicago could look to the draft to select a pass rusher in the early rounds, and many teams will. With the Bears being a Super Bowl contender, they may prefer the veteran presence.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have a strong defensive line that could get even better with Oweh in the building. The DT spots led by Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark will make the defensive rush game strong. Dante Fowler Jr. and Donovan Ezeiruaku are not a good enough pair on the outside to get to the quarterback.

The 2025 Cowboys defense was flat-out terrible. Nobody would deny that, and they need many pieces to improve. Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons are gone, so they need veteran talent to get back to the roots of this franchise.

The Cowboys and Bears tied with 35 team sacks in 2025.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs were not much better last season, with 37 total sacks. Oweh could be a Swiss-Army Knife for Tampa Bay. He comes from a similar defense as an outside linebacker on the edge. He could slide inside as well, pairing next to Vita Vea. It’s unclear if Lavonte David will continue playing or not, and if he does, in fact, retire, then the Bucs will need more veteran bodies on defense. Yaya Diaby led the Bucs with seven sacks last season.

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It’s another boost for the ground attack, according to a post on X by Matt Zenitz.

“The #Chargers are expected to hire #Dolphins run game specialist Chandler Henley, sources tell @CBSSports. Worked for Miami under Mike McDaniel for the last four seasons. Now expected to be part of McDaniel’s offensive staff with the Chargers.”

Henley was the Dolphins’ assistant quarterbacks coach before becoming a senior offensive assistant in 2024. The Yale graduate also coached with the Falcons and the Titans.

Chargers OC Mike McDaniel helping build the staff

It should be an interesting season for the Chargers, who have high hopes for the combination of head coach Jim Harbaugh and McDaniel.

Harbaugh’s aggressive coaching moves point to a sense that the Chargers are fighting to keep their Super Bowl window open. Harbaugh said the pressure is there, according to chargers.com.

“There’s always a sense of urgency,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, that is a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly thing. I’d answer the question this way: we feel like we have a lot to build on. Just keep moving forward with urgency. Aggressively attacking it.”

General manager Joe Horitz added, “We want to win the Super Bowl, so we got to get better.”

Perhaps not too surprisingly, though, McDaniel said one of his jobs will be to alleviate pressure — on quarterback Justin Herbert.

“It can be taxing over time for a player to necessitate an incredible play too often to be able to score points and win football games,” McDaniel said.

The Chargers finished 11-6 during the 2026 season. They suffered an offensive no-show loss to the Patriots in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. In fact, they scored 22 points over their final three games.

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In a social media post, former second-round NFL draft pick Nasir Adderley announced his plans to return to the league after being away for three years.

Here’s what Adderley posted on his official Instagram account on Monday:

“It’s now been three years since I left the nfl, and I am extremely happy with my development.
Health, family, and Entrepreneurship were my top priorities, and I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish. The freedom to manage my own schedule was very important to me, but what I didn’t realize was how much I’d miss having football in my life. The competition, the brotherhood, and just being involved in the game that means so much to me and my family.”

Adderley was selected by the Chargers 60th overall at the 2019 NFL Draft. After seeing action in only four games in his rookie season, he became a regular starter for Los Angeles from 2020 to 2022. In those three seasons, he recorded three interceptions, 12 passes defended, two forced fumbles and 230 combined tackles across 46 games (44 starts).

After hitting NFL free agency after the 2022 campaign, Adderley announced that he would be retiring from football.

The Delaware Blue Hens football program product is still just 28 years old, so he should get looks in NFL free agency, especially from teams that are looking to get their secondaries a boost.

The post Former Chargers DB returning to football after 3 years away appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“He’s back: After a five-year hiatus, Adam Gase returns to coaching in the NFL, joining the #Chargers as an assistant focusing on the passing game, sources say. The former #Jets and #Dolphins coach rose in the ranks as a record-setting offensive mind. Now back to his roots in LA.”

Gase, 47, hasn’t been a coach at any level since he since the Jets sent him packing after the 2020 season. Before that, he was head coach of the Dolphins from 2016-2018. Also, Gase served as an offensive coordinator for the Bears and Broncos.

Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh aggressively building his staff

The Chargers believe they’re in the Super Bowl mix for the 2026 season, and Harbaugh is adding significant coaching pieces to the mix to get them over the top.

This year, the Chargers went 11-6 and finished second in the AFC West. However, they closed the season with three straight losses. They were clipped by the Texans and Broncos to end the regular season, and then lost to the Patriots in the playoffs.

Over the course of those three games, the Chargers scored a combined total of 22 points. That simply won’t get it done, and is perhaps part of the reason Harbaugh is making aggressive moves.

After the loss to the Patriots, Harbaugh acknowledged the organization had work to do, according to chargers.com.

“We’re going to look at that, and everything,” Harbaugh said. “We weren’t good enough as a team, and that’s what we do. We win as a team, we lose as a team, and that’s my responsibility to have that team in a better position. We’ll work hard. It will be a new beginning.”

Harbaugh parted ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman after the season. That eventually led to Mike McDaniel arriving to take over the offense. And now Gase comes on board.

Gase had a 32-48 career record as a head coach.

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#Chargers CB Cam Hart on trash talkers:

“Derwin James is the best trash talker in the league, but Justin Herbert is a sleeper.” https://t.co/Db4JHfcV7t pic.twitter.com/bJBjRXpCQX

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 7, 2026

Those performances weigh heavily on quarterback Justin Herbert, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that Herbert has been a very productive leader for the Chargers. When he is on his game and making big plays with his arm or legs, Herbert is also a surprising trash talker.

Chargers cornerback Cam Hart was explaining that defensive back Derwin James, as expected, is one of the leading trash talkers on the Chargers, but that Herbert will let loose with several explosive remarks after big plays.

“He will surprise you,” Hart said. “Justin is basically a quiet guy who comes in and does his work during the week. He will get in first and stay late as he prepares. But on Game Day, he can make a huge play and he will let people hear about it. Nobody is expecting that from him, so it really has an impact.”

Herbert had a successful season once again for the Chargers. He completed 340 of 412 passes for 3,727 yards with 26 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. In addition to his passing yards, he ran for 498 yards with 5 runs of 20 yards or more and 2 touchdowns.

Ladd McConkey was Hebert’s leading receiver with 66 receptions for 789 yards and 6 TDs. If the Chargers can improve their running game next year, Herbert and his receivers may have an opportunity to put much bigger numbers on the board.

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That approach has led the Chargers to explore adding Max McCaffrey to the coaching staff, a move that would introduce another respected football pedigree into the building. McCaffrey, 31, has spent the past three seasons as an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins, gaining experience within one of the NFL’s most innovative offensive environments.

The reported interest gained traction late Friday night when CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz indicated the situation was gaining momentum as Los Angeles evaluated its final coaching staff decisions. Zenitz later expanded on that reporting in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), noting the Chargers are seriously considering hiring Christian McCaffrey’s brother after his three-year stint on the Miami Dolphins’ coaching staff.

It’s considered a strong possibility the #Chargers hire #Dolphins offensive assistant Max McCaffrey, potentially as running backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

Is a former NFL receiver and the older brother of 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey and Commanders WR Luke McCaffrey. Has… pic.twitter.com/bEowiF2cRQ

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 7, 2026

A move to Los Angeles would represent a clear promotion for McCaffrey and a transition into a more prominent positional role. League sources perceive the potential hire as a logical advancement for a young coach who has undergone rigorous training and development behind the scenes. His time in Miami allowed him to work within a modern offensive system under Mike McDaniel, who was recently named the Chargers’ offensive coordinator this offseason—experience that could translate seamlessly under Harbaugh’s structured yet adaptable coaching philosophy.

Under Harbaugh’s leadership—now firmly established after more than two years with the franchise—the Chargers have prioritized toughness, discipline, and development. McCaffrey’s background as a former NFL wide receiver and his exposure to elite offensive concepts align with that vision as Los Angeles continues shaping its offensive identity entering the 2026 season.

If finalized, the move would represent another calculated step in the Chargers’ plan to blend innovation with physicality, with league sources indicating the situation is trending toward completion.

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“Specifically, the #Chargers are strongly considering former #Jets and #Dolphins head coach Adam Gase for a pass game coordinator role, sources tell @CBSSports,” Zenitz posted Friday evening.

Since being fired as Jets head coach following the 2020 campaign, Gase hasn’t coached in the NFL. The former New York and Miami Dolphins head coach made his name as the offensive coordinator for Peyton Manning’s record-breaking Denver Broncos teams. Despite his time away from the pros, Gase could be an intriguing addition to McDaniel’s new staff. Will Harbaugh and his new offensive coordinator elect to bring in yet another former head coach?

Chargers offense to undergo big changes ahead of 2026 campaign

With Roman out and McDaniel in, quarterback Justin Herbert could have a career year in 2026. The former first-round pick has continued to improve as time has progressed, emerging as one of the NFL’s top signal callers. If McDaniel and Harbaugh bring Gase aboard, it could prove to be a stroke of genius.

Although he failed as a head coach, Gase’s name has hung around coaching circles because of his offensive prowess. Time away from the field may have allowed him to adopt new ideals, especially as offensive football has exploded across the sport’s landscape. A tandem of McDaniel and Gase helping to direct a Herbert-led attack could be something that the rest of the NFL is currently unprepared for.

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The news of Roman agreeing to join Harbaugh’s staff in New York broke late on Thursday night. His position was clarified as a senior offensive assistant, Art Stapleton of USA Today reported. Roman will also reportedly serve as the Giants’ run game coordinator.

The 63-year-old becomes one of New York’s first major additions to its offensive staff since hiring Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator. The Giants hired Nagy away from the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday.

Roman initially joined the John and Jim Harbaugh joint coaching tree in 2009, when Jim hired him as his offensive coordinator at Stanford. He followed Jim Harbaugh to the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, where he would remain until the head coach returned to college football to coach his alma mater, Michigan, in 2015.

Roman spent the next two years as offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills before joining John Harbaugh in Baltimore in 2017. He signed on as a senior offensive assistant, was promoted to assistant head coach the following year, and became offensive coordinator in 2019.

After regressing in each of his four seasons, Roman resigned from the Ravens in 2022. He returned to the NFL two years later by agreeing to become Jim Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator in Los Angeles in 2024. The Chargers fired him in January following their Wild Card loss to the New England Patriots.

Despite his sour ending in Los Angeles, Roman is the latest experienced, well-respected coach to join John Harbaugh’s inaugural staff with the Giants. His addition furthers the culture change Harbaugh is implementing after three consecutive losing seasons.

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Stafford got 24 of the first-place votes, while Maye had 23.

Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills got two first-place votes. So where did the other vote go?

It went to Herbert, for some reason.

And that reason was provided by the Herbert voter himself, NFL analyst Sam Monson.

“I was the Justin Herbert vote. The guy had the worst offensive line in the NFL all season and despite that he was working miracles in almost every single game. Stafford’s OL became 2/5ths as bad as Herbert’s for 5 minutes and he became a turnover howitzer. He embodied ‘value,'” wrote Monson in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Meanwhile, Monson’s revelation has sparked a lot of passionate reactions from football fans online.

“Respect to you for owning it and giving a detailed reason,” commented a fan.

“Kudos to you for admitting it, but, holy s**, that vote was a poor decision. Overthought the whole f**king thing,” another social media user said.

“I respect you for coming publicly with your vote. But this might be the worst take of all time,”a different reaction read.

“I don’t know if I would have had the stones to do it, but you aren’t wrong about Stafford and the OL.,” shared an X user.

“You should be stripped of your vote,” another commenter shared.

Had Monson’s vote gone to Maye, who had better numbers than the Los Angeles QB and whose team defeated Justin Herbert and the Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Round and is about to play at Super Bowl LX, Maye would have taken the award over Stafford.

To each his own, and since the NFL MVP Award, like most other honors, is interpreted in different ways by different voters, controversial results are simply unavoidable from time to time.

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The Chargers’ main priority this offseason will be to fix the offensive line that played so poorly for the entire season. Starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will return for training camp, but the center and right guard positions must be improved to protect Justin Herbert and to elevate the running game led by Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal. Left guard, Zion Johnson (UFA), has played well as a run blocker, and the Chargers should not be in a position to replace him. LA will try to resign the guard.

Two of the three Chargers players under contract who MUST be cut are on the offensive line. The Chargers will issue many cuts, but they also have some crucial players they want to keep in the building who are upcoming free agents. LA has the 3rd most cap space in the NFL entering the offseason at $87.2 million.

Let’s discuss the three players the Bolts must move on from this offseason.

Right Guard Mekhi Becton

Contract: 2-year – $20 million – $12.2 million Cap Hit in 2026

Mechi Becton is the most obvious candidate to be cut this offseason for the Chargers. Rumors have already surfaced about the potential of it happening. Becton had a hard time staying on the field in his first season in Los Angeles. Becton appeared in 15 games in 2025 but was unable to finish games because of various injuries. His inability to stay on the field and put on a great product was a big part of the collapse of the entire offensive line’s production last season.

Becton finished the season with a PFF grade of 35.7, 79th out of 81 qualified right guards.

There is no doubt that the Bolts will have a new right guard in 2026. If some chance that Becton remains at the position, they must be sold on the fact that he would somehow remain healthy and play/protect like he did when he won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia.

Center Bradley Bozeman

Contract: 2-year – $6.5 million (extension) – $6.93 million Cap Hit in 2026

It is time for the Chargers to move on from Bradley Bozeman. Bozeman played almost every single snap, if not every single snap, at center for the Chargers this season. His availability was nice to have for Justin Herbert, but his production was terrible. It was not good in 2024 either. The Bolts must either slide Zion Johnson to center or bring in a new center this offseason. There will be some major upgrades on the market.

Bozeman ended the season with a PFF grade of 51.7, 40th of 40 qualified centers.

The Chargers could look to re-sign Andre James, who they added to the roster last season. He did not get much action in 2025, but he has proven to play well when he is on the field. James is a free agent and knows the Chargers’ system. If Tyler Linderbaum hits free agency, the Bolts should be all over him to protect Herbert for the future.

Punter JK Scott

Contract: 2-year – $ 6 million (extension) – $3.8 million Cap Hit in 2026

JK Scott has been the Bolts’ punter since 2022. He came over from the Jacksonville Jaguars after a solid start to his career with the Green Bay Packers. Scott punted well at Alabama and won two national championships under Nick Saban.

Scott’s time with the Chargers has been decent. He is not a “bad” punter by any means, but the Chargers need to move on from his style. Scott has a strong leg, but his style is to kick the ball extremely high to avoid a big return. He is first in the NFL in hang-time percentage as LA only allowed one punt return since 2024.

The thing, however, is that Scott is not great at flipping the field. There have been multiple instances in games where Scott struggled to punt the ball more than 35 yards. He could not flip the field at all against the Houston Texans last season, and it proved costly in a close loss.

Cutting Scott does not move the needle for the Chargers, but if the Bolts replaced him with a punter who has a big leg, then they could play the field-advantage battle more often, and if you know Jim Harbaugh, that is something he cares about.

Scott ended the season with a Net Punt Average of 41.43, 18th in the NFL, and only 24 punts inside the 20, 19th in the NFL.

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Round 1, Pick 22: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

In this Chargers’ scenario, the PFF mock draft simulator welcomed Mike McDaniel to LA with an offense-heavy 2026 NFL Draft. That starts with big-bodied Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston.

Boston is a 6-foot-4, 210-pound pass catcher with elite size and ball skills. He’s also an incredible red zone target who caught 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons. The former Husky doesn’t have high-end speed and may struggle to separate at times in the NFL, but Herbert will love having a target with this size and skill.

Keenan Allen is a free agent and will be 34 when the 2026 campaign kicks off. He may still be back next season, but at some point, the Chargers are going to have to turn the page. Ladd McConkey is a nice WR2, and maybe Quentin Johnston continues his upward trajectory. But if Boston joins the mix, he immediately becomes the player with the most WR1 potential on the team.

Round 2, Pick 55: DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

The Chargers were a top-10 defense last season, so there aren’t a lot of holes to fill on that side of the ball. Defensive tackle D’Shawn Hand is a free agent, though, so replacing him or getting more depth on the D-line is a priority.

Dontay Corleone is a 6-foot-1, 335-pound nose tackle who is excellent against the run. There isn’t much pass rush upside or versatility here, but with a defense as talented as the Chargers right now, they can afford to take a specialist in order to go up another level.

If LA does lose Hand, though, it may make sense to take a DT with a little more flexibility, who may be able to stay on the field on passing downs.

Round 3, Pick 86: TE Justin Joly, NC State

Orande Gadsden II showed a lot of potential as a TE1 last season, although drops were an issue at times. Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly were both only around 100 yards receiving this season, though, and the former is now a free agent.

After transferring from UConn to NC State, Justin Jolly put up over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in his two seasons with the Wolfpack. The 6-foot-3, 251-pound tight end has a well-rounded game and can line up all over the formation, which makes him an excellent complement to Gadsden.

Round 4, Pick 123: RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest

Heading into the 2026 NFL season, the only running backs under contract for the Chargers are Omarion Hampton and Amar Johnson (who had two carries for eight yards last season). So, while re-signing Kimani Vidal is likely a priority, getting another RB into the mix is essential.

With that in mind, the Chargers take Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne in this 2026 PFF NFL mock draft simulator run. Claiborne is small at 5-foot-9 and 192 pounds, but he has a track background and is explosive with the ball in his hands.

The former Demon Deacon could be a replacement for Vidal if he leaves. But Claiborne also has the pass-catching skills and big-play ability to complement Hampton and Vidal as well.

Round 6, Pick 202: WR Josh Cameron, Baylor

Getting weapons for new Chargers OC Mike McDaniel is obviously a theme of this 2026 PFF NFL Mock Draft simulator run, as the team takes another pass catcher in the sixth round.

Josh Cameron is a tough, strong wideout with an Anquan Boldin-type build at 6-foot-1, 224 pounds. He may not get a ton of separation, but he can outmuscle defenders and snag contested catches with the best of them. And when he gets the ball in his hands, watch out.

Cameron is an excellent run-after-the-catch WR who also excels as a punt returner. In 2024, he led the FBS with 20.7 yards per punt return. That kind of return skill alone makes him a valuable special teams pick on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Jim Harbaugh is helping add a former assistant under McDaniel, per Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network Thursday.

“Chargers are hiring Butch Barry as their new offensive line coach, per source,” Wolfe posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter. “Barry has been Dolphins OL coach under Mike McDaniel for last three years maximizing their room. He rejoins McDaniel in LA.”

Barry gets the chance to coach up Joe Alt — as the Chargers left tackle aims to return from a season-ending ankle injury. Rashawn Slater is another attempting a comeback from a torn patellar tendon.

Mike McDaniel not the only coordinator hire for Chargers

Harbaugh pulls in a past playoff coach to run the Chargers offense — which has Justin Herbert “geeked” about this incoming system.

But McDaniel isn’t the only newcomer who’ll wear the headset or head to the coordinator booth.

The Bolts found their Jesse Minter replacement on Wednesday night: Chris O’Leary is returning to L.A.

O’Leary served under Minter’s defensive staff in 2024 during a time he led the safeties. He spent 2025 coordinating the Western Michigan defense in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Harbaugh and LAC now fills both coordinator spots then lands a replacement for OL coach Mike Delvin. He and former offensive coordinator Greg Roman were let go following the Chargers’ early playoff exit against eventual AFC champion New England.

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ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed late Wednesday night who’s ready to “Bolt up” once again.

“Sources: Chargers are hiring Western Michigan defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary as their defensive coordinator,” Schefter posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.

Again, the 2026 DC is no stranger to the Bolts.

“O’Leary returns to the Chargers, where he worked as safeties coach under Jesse Minter in 2024. Prior to the Chargers, O’Leary coached the secondary at Notre Dame under Marcus Freeman,” Schefter added.

Jesse Minter replacement taking over highly-ranked Chargers defense

O’Leary’s arrival promises continuity for the Chargers. Harbaugh himself saw potential in O’Leary before returning.

“Chris is a rising star in the coaching ranks. He’s a connector, which is among the best compliments you can give a coach,” Harbaugh told the Western Michigan website upon his DC hire there last season. “The rapport he’s able to create within a staff and his ability to build meaningful relationships with players throughout the locker room, regardless of position, is exceptional. Couple that with the way he teaches the game and develops guys on the field – it’s easy to see what a great addition Chris is to the Western Michigan family.”

Now O’Leary jumps back to the NFL to take control of a highly-ranked Chargers defense.

Minter bequeaths the league’s fifth-ranked defense over to his successor. O’Leary joins the staff two days following Mike McDaniel joining the Chargers as the offensive coordinator.

O’Leary additionally comes over after L.A. signed star defensive tackle Teair Tart to a three-year extension Monday.

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And then they had a playoff exit that stung so deeply. An 11-6 season ended neither with a shootout, nor with a heroic failure. However, they had an offensive no-show. The Wild Card loss in New England didn’t just end the Chargers’ season. It exposed which pillars of the roster actually matter. If Los Angeles wants the Harbaugh era to last longer than one promising year, keeping the right veterans is non-negotiable.

Season recap

The 2025 Chargers were a philosophical pivot. Under Harbaugh, they abandoned the wide-open-but-fragile approach of previous regimes and embraced a defense-first, run-forward identity. That shift paid off immediately. Los Angeles leaned on a top-tier defense and finally looked comfortable winning ugly.

Khalil Mack was part of that transformation. At an age when most edge rushers fade, he still dominated. The defense fed off his intensity and produced consistent pressure. He helped keep games within reach even when the offense sputtered. On the other side of the ball, Kimani Vidal and Omarion Hampton gave the Chargers reliability between the tackles.

Justin Herbert didn’t post video-game numbers, but he didn’t have to. The Chargers weren’t asking him to be Superman. They were just asking him to be efficient within structure. For most of the season, it worked.

Playoff flameout

Then came Foxborough.

In a frigid Wild Card matchup against the Patriots, the Chargers were suffocated. Herbert was sacked six times, limited to 159 passing yards, and hardly allowed to establish rhythm. The offense failed to score a touchdown. The defense did its job again. However, the lack of protection, speed, and trusted outlets turned the game into a slow-motion collapse.

The 16-3 loss wasn’t a referendum on Harbaugh. It was a spotlight on what cannot change if the Chargers expect different postseason results.

Offseason fixes

The Chargers have very clear needs. The interior offensive line must be rebuilt. No franchise quarterback should absorb six sacks in a playoff game. The secondary lacks a true ball-hawk corner capable of flipping momentum. Offensively, the Chargers still don’t have a speed receiver who forces defenses to back off.

Layered on top of that are difficult financial decisions. Mack and Keenan Allen are aging. However, they are also the cultural anchors of the roster. Letting leadership walk while trying to build toughness is how identity fractures.

EDGE Khalil Mack

Key stats: 5.5 sacks, 32 tackles, 4 forced fumbles

Khalil Mack wasn’t just productive but was transformational. Every week, he set the tone. He collapsed pockets and forced mistakes.

This defense is built around the collective image of Tuli Tuipulotu and Mack. The latter’s preparation, physicality, and accountability define Harbaugh football. Letting him walk would create a leadership vacuum and a production gap that cannot be replaced in one offseason. If the Chargers want their defense to remain elite, Mack must remain its compass.

WR Keenan Allen

Key stats: 81 receptions, 777 yards, 4 touchdowns

Allen’s “homecoming” season erased any doubt about his value. He was Herbert’s safety net, chain-mover, and problem-solver. When the pocket collapsed, Herbert looked for Allen and usually found him. In the playoff loss, Allen accounted for nearly 8.3 yardsper catch.

This offense is not ready to let Allen go. Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey are developing, but neither is prepared to consistently carry coverage or dictate matchups. Removing Allen now would force Herbert to grow trust with a receiver group still under construction. It would also simultaneously ask him to survive behind a shaky line. That’s not progression but regression disguised as youth.

LB/EDGE Odafe Oweh

Key stats: 7.5 sacks (second on team), 8 tackles for loss, 28 total tackles in 12 games

Oweh quietly became one of the Chargers’ most important defensive chess pieces in 2025. Used as a hybrid edge defender, he provided much-needed juice. His 7.5 sacks ranked second on the team despite missing five games. While he isn’t a volume tackler, Oweh’s impact was felt whenever the Chargers needed pressure created now.

The Chargers’ defense is built on winning with the front four, and Oweh is a critical part of that formula. With Mack entering the twilight of his career, letting Oweh walk would create a dangerous pass-rush cliff in 2026. At just 25, Oweh fits perfectly into Harbaugh’s long-term defensive vision as a speed-to-power disruptor who can rush standing up or with his hand in the dirt.

Fragile window

The Chargers took a real step forward in 2025. The culture shifted, and the floor rose. However, postseason football is unforgiving. Progress means nothing if you discard the very players who made it possible.

Khalil Mack, Keenan Allen, and Odafe Oweh aren’t placeholders. They are pillars. Lose them, and the Harbaugh era risks becoming another “what if” instead of the sustained contender Los Angeles has waited decades to see.

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McDaniel joins the Chargers after a four-year run in Miami that ended earlier this offseason. He compiled a 35-33 regular-season record with the Dolphins, reaching the playoffs in each of his first two seasons before Miami missed the postseason in back-to-back years. The Dolphins finished 7-10 in 2025 and failed to qualify for the playoffs for a second consecutive season, prompting the organization to move on as part of a broader reset.

Now in Los Angeles, McDaniel steps into a defined role alongside Harbaugh, whom the Chargers hired to lead the franchise following their own postseason disappointment. McDaniel spoke about the personal and professional value of the partnership in an interview with Alex Insdorf of Bolt Breakdowns.

“Selfishly, I think the end result will be me being a better coach, better father, and better husband — and I think those things go hand in hand with how you’re working professionally,” McDaniel said.

Chargers offense seeks efficiency boost under Mike McDaniel

The Chargers are coming off an 11-6 season in which they showed balance offensively but struggled to consistently convert production into points. Los Angeles ranked 12th in the NFL in total offense, averaging 333.8 yards per game. The unit generated 212.2 passing yards per contest and 121.6 rushing yards but finished 20th in scoring at 21.6 points per game.

Los Angeles reached the playoffs as a wild-card team but saw its season end with a 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots. New England went on to win the AFC and is set to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Feb. 8 in San Francisco. The defeat underscored the need for greater efficiency and adaptability on offense, an area McDaniel is expected to address.

McDaniel built his reputation as an innovative offensive mind during his time with the Dolphins, particularly in designing schemes that emphasized speed, spacing, and quarterback-friendly concepts. His return to a coordinator role places him in a collaborative environment with Harbaugh, whose teams have historically emphasized structure, physicality, and situational discipline.

For McDaniel, the Chargers opportunity represents a reset of his own. After navigating the pressures of a head coaching role in Miami, he now joins an established program with clear leadership at the top. For Los Angeles, the hire signals an effort to maximize its offensive talent while aligning with Harbaugh’s broader vision as the franchise looks to take a step forward in 2026.

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McDaniel stated that he is “fired up” to be with the Chargers before being asked questions about Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert. The former Miami Dolphins head coach had nothing but great things to say about the two leaders of the team.

When talking about his new quarterback, McDaniel talked about how excited he is to join forces with Herbert.

“That hunger, I could hear it in his voice. It was enthusiastic, I was in a room talking with a really loud inside voice out of passion…We were both geeked for the future and the possibilities that it brings.”

A few questions later, the OC was asked about last year’s matchup when Herbert and Ladd McConkey had a game-winning drive against the Dolphins in Miami.

Chargers OC Mike McDaniel on Justin Herbert’s game-winning play to Ladd McConkey against Dolphins:

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em I guess.” https://t.co/ZzsJaThD4m

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) January 27, 2026

That is a classic Mike McDaniel response. Many of the media’s questions were about his star quarterback. When asked how he will try to protect him and avoid all the hits he took last season, he mentioned that Herbert must take advantage of the situations.

“Having some quicker, ball out passes at a higher frequency, so much of the National Football League defense is post-snap.”

“Take advantage of that space with quick throws…One of the best blockers you can have is an open eligible number 1 in a quick amount of time.”

McDaniel calling plays for this offense could be what finally gets Herbert over the hump. However, nothing will matter if they cannot win in the playoffs.

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After another playoff blunder, the Chargers decided to fire offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Jim Harbaugh has replaced Roman with Mike McDaniel, someone who is known for being an elite play caller, as the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Jesse Minter took his talents to Baltimore to become their new head coach, so the Bolts are now shifting focus to looking for a new defensive coordinator.

The Bolts have interviewed a few names, but none that move the needle yet.

The roster is a talented one, especially on the defensive side. Some crucial defensive players are entering free agency: Khalil Mack, Tony Jefferson, Odafe Oweh, and Teair Tart. The Bolts locked up one of them on Monday morning. According to ESPN’s Kris Rhim, Tart has signed a 3-year extension worth around $37.5 million with $20 million guaranteed.

The Chargers have locked up one of their best defensive players. Tart was a beast on the defensive front this season and became a troll in mnay occasions, doing his best to get under players’ skins. You might remember Tart in Week 1 in Brazil, slapping Travis Kelce across his facemask and getting away with it.

Teair Tart, the same clown who punched Travis Kelce in week one, just laid another cheap shot hit that injured Chiefs tackle Jaylen Moore. Classic Chargers. pic.twitter.com/D61Z0Z2FeF

— Jared Koller (@JaredKollerKC) December 14, 2025

Tart ended the 2025 season with 32 tackles (22 solo), one forced fumble, four pass deflections, and 10.5 stuffs. His numbers aren’t eye-opening, but Tart played well in big moments. His game wasn’t getting to the QB; it was being a gap plugger to stop the run. Tart’s four pass deflections from the DT spot were huge for the Chargers’ defense.

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On Monday, the Chargers officially announced the McDaniel hire with a video posted to X, formerly Twitter.

pic.twitter.com/puLqoEeiW5

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 26, 2026

“What’s up. Mike McDaniel, offensive coordinator for the Chargers,” said the new OC.

McDaniel will look to help unlock a Chargers offense that was up and down throughout the 2025 season and then crashed and burned in the playoffs against the New England Patriots three weeks ago. The former Dolphins head coach has long been recognized as one of the most innovative offensive minds in the modern NFL, having helped Miami break numerous offensive records during the first half of the 2023 season two years ago.

Of course, the Chargers will need help on more than just schematics going into next season, as there is still quite a bit of work to do on the roster around quarterback Justin Herbert. At this point, wide receiver and offensive line play seem to be the two biggest areas of need for Los Angeles, and it remains to be seen how they will address those weak points through free agency and the draft.

Still, Chargers fans overall seem to be thrilled with the team’s hire of McDaniel to be the new offensive coordinator in Los Angeles.

The post Mike McDaniel officially becomes Chargers OC after head coaching dalliance appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The “Cheetah” took to X recently to weigh in on a buzzing rumor regarding Zach Wilson. The former No. 2 overall pick reportedly wants to land with a team where he can sit, learn, and develop, much like other high-profile “busts” who found second lives elsewhere. Hill gave it a full-blown endorsement.

“Zach is a great QB plus locker mate with more time with Mike who knows,” Hill posted, hinting that Mike McDaniel’s offensive wizardry could be the missing ingredient for Wilson.

It is a bold take, but Hill has seen Wilson up close. Since joining the Dolphins via trade from the Denver Broncos last year, Wilson has largely operated in the shadows. His 2025 campaign didn’t jump off the stat sheet, as he served primarily in a backup role behind Tua Tagovailoa.

In limited action during the 2025 season, Wilson completed 18 of 28 passes for 210 yards, tossing one touchdown and one interception. While those numbers are modest, Hill’s comment suggests that Wilson’s value in the locker room and his chemistry with the scheme are higher than the public realizes.

The logic holds some water. We’ve seen Mike McDaniel turn the Dolphins into an offensive juggernaut, helping Tagovailoa lead the league in passing yards in recent years. If Wilson, who still possesses the elite arm talent that made him a top pick for the New York Jets, can fully absorb McDaniel’s system, the “Darnold blueprint” might actually work in Los Angeles, where McDaniel is rumored to have taken up the position of Offensive Coordinator. 

With the 2026 NFL free agency period looming, the Dolphins have a decision to make. Do they stick with Wilson as a developmental project, or let another team take a flyer on him? If it were up to the league’s most dangerous wide receiver, Wilson isn’t going anywhere.

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Rumors are swirling at the East-West Shrine Bowl that the Chargers plan to cut the 26-year-old guard, according to Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports. It’s said that the Chargers believe Becton underperformed in the 15 games he played in the 2025-26 season, which is why Los Angeles could be considering cutting him from the roster.

“After seemingly turning his career around, word at the Shrine Bowl is that Mekhi Becton has reverted to his former ways, and the Los Angeles Chargers will opt out of the final year of his contract…. A one-year stint with the Eagles saw him get his game and life back on track, culminating in a Super Bowl ring and a new two-year, $20 million contract with the Chargers last offseason.

“But he’s been a disappointment despite starting 15 games. Becton’s run and pass blocking were both a disaster, and he was ranked as one of the worst guards in the league. The Chargers can opt out of the second year of his deal, and people at the Shrine Bowl tell me that’s exactly what will happen.”

Offensive line play was a major concern for the Chargers throughout the campaign. Injuries plagued the tackle positions, and L.A. was forced to play backups for the majority of the year. Quarterback Justin Herbert played well, but did struggle at times due to defensive pressure.

With Mekhi Becton’s future up in the air, the organization may prioritize the offensive line in the offseason. The Chargers are projected to have about $85.9 million in cap space, giving the club plenty to work with going into free agency.

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In response, Harbaugh is already trying to hire Mike McDaniel to replace Greg Roman on offense. Now, the focus shifts to finding a defensive leader who can maintain high standards while working alongside Harbaugh to push the franchise deeper into the 2026 postseason.

The team has officially moved forward with its search by completing an interview with Aubrey Pleasant for the defensive coordinator position. Pleasant currently serves as the assistant head coach and defensive passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.

His impact was evident during the 2025 season, as the Rams’ defense finished tenth in points allowed and fifth in total takeaways. Pleasant brings a wealth of experience from four other NFL organizations and the University of Michigan.

As a member of the Sean McVay coaching tree, he represents a modern approach to defensive scheming that could provide a tactical balance to the new offensive direction.

In addition to Pleasant, the Chargers have expressed interest in Zach Orr, the former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator. This move is noteworthy because Orr recently worked alongside Minter, providing a level of familiarity the Chargers value.

Although the Ravens experienced some statistical regression in 2025, specifically ranking near the bottom of the league in sacks, Orr is still regarded as a highly capable defensive mind. The Chargers believe they understand his track record well, making him a candidate to stabilize a unit that was among the league’s best last year.

As Harbaugh prepares for his third year, the choice of defensive coordinator will be vital. The organization wants a leader who can continue the success established by Minter while adapting to the AFC landscape.

By interviewing Pleasant and Orr, the Chargers are signaling a commitment to elite coaching and schematic consistency. Fans are waiting to see which specialist will take the reins to help the team overcome its recent playoff hurdles.

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Jefferson came out of retirement to play for his childhood team. The Chargers’ safety grew up in San Diego and has been on record saying he always wanted to play for the Bolts. The only difference is that the team is in Los Angeles now and not San Diego. Either way, in two years with the Bolts, Jefferson has revived his career.

Jefferson began his stellar career with the Arizona Cardinals and played four seasons alongside Patrick Peterson and the secondary. Then, he played three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. In 2021, he had a short stint with the San Francisco 49ers before heading back to Baltimore. In 2022, he ended his first stint in the NFL with the New York Giants. After one year off, the safety returned to the league to play for Jim Harbaugh.

2025 was a special year for the veteran. He ended the season with four interceptions and 57 tackles (37 solo), and seven pass deflections. He caught the game-winning INT against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jefferson realized that he still has a ton of juice left in the juicebox and has no plans of slowing down.

The safety posted on X with the Nick Saban, “I’m not going to, so quit askin’, gif.”

“Ok… so ppl actually pissing me off asking me, “so what are you gonna do this year, you still gonna play?” like mf did you not watch the tape this season. There is 0 indication of me slowing down or nearing retirement (again) – at minimum I’m playing 2 more seasons. Bang.”

Jefferson is a free agent this offseason and could come back to play for the Chargers. He could also follow defensive coordinator Jesse Minter back to the Baltimore Ravens for a third stint with the organization. Teams will be interested.

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In an odd twist of fate, LA has already asked to speak with one of Baltimore’s coaches to replace Minter.

The Chargers have requested to interview Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr for the team’s vacant coordinator role, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Orr has spent the past two seasons as the leader of Baltimore’s defense.

It is interesting that Orr previously worked alongside Minter with the Chargers. That past connection to LA makes the team’s decision to request an interview make a lot of sense.

It remains to be seen if Minter would like to keep Orr on as a defensive coordinator. But Orr will likely want to explore his options after John Harbaugh left the Ravens. Minter may also want the opportunity to interview multiple candidates before hiring his DC.

The Ravens took a step back on defense in 2025. But on the face of it, Orr does not seem like the one responsible for that backslide.

Baltimore ranked around the middle of the NFL in terms of yards and points allowed per game. Some of that regression should be expected, as defensive success often fluctuates between seasons in the NFL.

But one huge problem was Baltimore pass rush, which only generated 30 sacks during the regular season. That was tied for 30th in the league.

Ultimately, the Chargers know Orr better than almost any other franchise in the NFL. Their interest suggests that Orr has the knowledge and track record needed to thrive as a defensive coordinator. Even if the 2025 season was rough in Baltimore.

It will be fascinating to see if Orr gains traction as LA’s main defensive coordinator candidate.

The post Chargers interviewing ex-Ravens DC to replace Jesse Minter appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“The #Chargers have requested #Rams assistant head coach/defensive pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant to interview for their vacant DC job, source said,” Rapoport posted. “The 2025 #Rams defense ranked 10th in points allowed and 5th in total takeaways. A name to watch.”

Pleasant is coming off his first season as the Rams’ assistant head coach. In addition to those duties, the veteran coach has served as the team’s defensive passing game coordinator since the 2023 season. He has held positions with four other NFL teams, as well as a college football powerhouse at the University of Michigan. Is Pleasant ready to take the next step as a defensive play caller?

Chargers rebuilding coaching staff ahead of Jim Harbaugh’s third year

Minter’s strong two-year stint as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator helped lead him back to Baltimore. As the Ravens’ new head coach takes charge over the coming days, his former boss will be busy locking in a new leader for the defense. In addition to Minter’s departure, Harbaugh also fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman, a longtime collaborator. In his stead, former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel will lead the Los Angeles offensive attack.

If hired, Pleasant would be quite the contrast to McDaniel. Before his four seasons in charge of the Dolphins, McDaniel was the offensive coordinator under San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Pleasant would be a hire from a similar branch of the Shanahan coaching tree, as Rams head coach Sean McVay worked alongside Shanahan at several stops. As Harbaugh enters year three, the hope is that two new coordinators will help push the Chargers over the hump. Will Pleasant get his first chance at calling an NFL defense with SoFi Stadium’s other home tenant?

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Roman was let go because of his inability to elevate the Chargers’ offense with Justin Herbert as the franchise player. The team reportedly is set to hire Mike McDaniel as the new offensive coordinator; however, that has not been made official yet.

Minter accepted the head coaching job for the Baltimore Ravens, staying in the Harbaugh castle of relationships. Minter takes over for John Harbaugh and will keep the same culture in Baltimore. Minter has been a part of the John Harbaugh coaching staff from 2017 to 2020 as a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach. Six years later, he is now the head coach after partnering up with Jim Harbaugh on his way to fame.

The Chargers’ defensive coordinator job becomes the best one on the market. Every available coach wanting to be a defensive coordinator should want this job. The defense is stacked with talent, led by Derwin James, Tuli Tuipulotu, Dayian Henley, Donte Jackson, and Tarheeb Still. Khalil Mack, Odefe Oweh, Tair Tart, and Tony Jefferson are set to become free agents.

In 2024, the Chargers led the NFL in scoring defense, allowing only 17.7 points per game. In 2025, the Bolts’ defense remained dominant. They were 9th in scoring defense, allowing 20.0 points per game, and were 5th in passing yards allowed at only 179.9 per contest and 5th in total yards at 285.2.

With Minter recently hired, reports and rumors about who can replace him should be reported in the coming days. The Chargers are known for keeping a lot of things in-house, especially with Jim Harbaugh running the show.

Let’s take a look at the top four coaching candidates to replace Minter as the Bolts’ DC, in no particular order.

Steve Clinkscale

Steve Clinkscale would be a great candidate to be promoted from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator. He has been coaching under Jesse Minter and Jim Harbaugh since 2021. Minter could try to steal him away from the Chargers to the Ravens; however, Harbaugh may give him his due diligence and interview him for the job.

The Chargers’ secondary has excelled the last two seasons under Clinkscale, and the 48-year-old may be in line to be a defensive coordinator for the third time. The players speak very highly of him. He was the Co-DC with Minter at Michigan the year they won the National Championship, and at Cincinnati for two seasons from 2013 to 2014.

Honorable mention: If the Chargers do want to stay in-house and go a different direction than Clinkscale, then former Michigan great Mike Elston and current Chargers defensive line coach could be a possibility.

Raheem Morris

Morris would be a great option as a veteran coach who knows how to run a defense. Morris has been coaching for almost 30 years and has been a defensive mastermind through it all. He had a rich history with the Atlanta Falcons, with many different roles from 2015 to 2020. He became the defensive coordinator under Sean McVay for three seasons before going back to the Falcons to be the head coach. His time in the ATL is over for now, but he could return there again in the future. Before he does, a stint back in Los Angeles would be familiar for Morris.

Morris has been rumored as a candidate for the Washington Commanders’ DC role, but as of now, does not have any coaching interviews lined up.

Daronte Jones

Daronte Jones is an up-and-coming coach in the NFL. He is currently the defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings. With Brian Flores returning to the Vikings as the DC, Jones could emerge as a DC candidate in other places. The Dallas Cowboys had interviewed Jones twice before going with Christian Parker as the DC.

Jones interviewed with the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, January 22. He has already interviewed with the New York Jets as well. Jones is a hot commodity right now, and the Chargers could be all over him as well if he does not sign with the Packers, Jets, or any team beforehand.

Jonathan Gannon

Jonathan Gannon, much like Raheem Morris, is a former head coach aiming to get back into coaching the defense. Gannon immediately becomes arguably the best DC option out there. He has had much success with the Philadelphia Eagles as their DC and the Indianapolis Colts as the DBs coach. Gannon has been coaching in the NFL since 2007 and would be a great mentor for the Chargers players.

His time in Arizona as the head coach did not work out; however, he will bounce right back with the Bolts if given the opportunity.

The post Top 4 candidates to replace Jesse Minter as Chargers defensive coordinator appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Thursday, news broke that the defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is leaving his Chargers DC post for a new job out in the AFC North, as he becomes the new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

In a post on X, the Chargers sent a heartfelt message to Minter amid his transition to a big role with the Ravens.

“Thanks for everything, coach,” the Chargers wrote in a social media post that includes a graphic of Minter celebrating with a Los Angeles player.

It is great to see that the Chargers have nothing but love for Minter. This is a huge career win for Minter, who goes back to Baltimore, this time as the team’s sideline boss.

He started his NFL coaching career with the Ravens in 2017 as a defensive assistant and also served as Baltimore’s assistant defensive backs coach and defensive backs coach before going back to the college football world to be the defensive coordinator and safeties coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores in 2021.

From 2022 to 2023, Minter was the Michigan Wolverines’ defensive coordinator, working under then-Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh. He returned to the NFL when he was hired by the Chargers (along with Harbaugh) to be their defensive coordinator, which he served from the 2024 campaign to the 2025 season.

Minter’s stops with several NFL organizations and football programs surely helped him become primed for a head-coaching gig in the pros, which he now gets with a still very talented Baltimore squad that features one of the best quarterbacks today in the form of two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson.

In Minter’s final season in Inglewood, the Chargers ranked inside the top 10 in both scoring defense and total defense, as Los Angeles allowed just 20.0 points and 285.2 total yards per game.

The post Chargers’ immediate reaction to losing Jesse Minter to Ravens appeared first on ClutchPoints.

That was a common theme throughout the 2025 season. The Chargers ranked inside the top 10 in nearly every defensive category, thanks in large part to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

On Thursday, it was revealed that the Baltimore Ravens have hired Minter to be their new head coach, replacing John Harbaugh.

After the news surfaced, Pro Bowl defensive back Derwin James Jr. took to social media.

“Earned so happy for you, coach Love you big dog ” James posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Minter began his coaching career as a Defensive Intern at Notre Dame in 2006. After spending nearly a decade at the college level as an assistant, he landed a job in the pros, ironically, with the Ravens in 2017. He spent three years in Baltimore before heading back to college as a defensive coordinator.

The former Chargers coordinator helped Michigan win the National Championship as a defensive coordinator, which landed him the job in Los Angeles. Over his two years with the Chargers, he helped transform what was a leaky defense into one of the better units in the NFL.

James and the secondary was good well before Minter arrived. But LA’s rush defense was near-historically bad just a few seasons ago. They finished eighth this season, allowing just over 105 yards per game on the ground.

Suffice it to say, he has paid his dues and earned the job with the Ravens.

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He has coached two very good defenses in two seasons. Michigan also had a stellar defense under his coaching. In 2024, the Chargers led the NFL in scoring defense, allowing only 17.7 points per game. In 2025, the Bolts’ defense remained dominant. They were 9th in scoring defense, allowing 20.0 points per game, and were 5th in passing yards allowed at only 179.9 per contest and 5th in total yards at 285.2.

Just about every single team that needs a head coach requested to interview him. The Cleveland Browns were one of those teams, and Minter was supposed to interview with them on Thursday. Instead, Minter informed the team that he will no longer be interested. It seems that Minter may have found his team.

“Breaking: Chargers DC Jesse Minter is not interviewing for the Browns HC job today as scheduled, likely because he feels like he has other HC opportunities that are more certain, sources tell clevelanddotcom.”

We just saw this with Mike McDaniel, who told the Browns he would not take the HC job and decided to become the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator. McDaniel’s situation is not completely official yet; however, it seems that it will be eventually.

Minter has been in serious talks to become the head coach for two teams: the Baltimore Ravens and the Las Vegas Raiders. Whoever hires Minter will command a strong defense.

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According to Dianna Russini, the deal is done, and he has told other teams he will be taking the OC job in LA.

“McDaniel has told coaches in the NFL he is moving west and taking the job to coach Justin Herbert. Tampa and Philly had him as a top candidate.”

Other reports have shown that McDaniel is still in play to be the head coach for the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders. However, McDaniel just finished up his interview in LA with the Bolts, and it seems that he will be staying there and becoming the new coach for Justin Herbert. McDaniel also told the Browns earlier on Tuesday that he would be withdrawing his candidacy to be the head coach. There were smoke signals before the meeting with the Bolts.

Harbaugh recently expressed his desire for the new offensive coordinator. He wanted a veteran play caller, and he is getting one. McDaniel has had a lot of success in his career, coaching some elite offenses. While things did not work out for him and the Dolphins, he is going to be a key piece in the success of the future of the Chargers.

While it seems that McDaniel to the Chargers is going to happen, stay tuned for more information about the contract length and numbers. There is a good chance the Chargers gave McDaniel an offer he could not pass up.

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NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport revealed Sunday that the Chargers placed a request in to chat with Smith.

What involvement does Justin Herbert have in OC search?

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One might wonder how Justin Herbert factors into this conversation. After all, he’s the Chargers’ franchise quarterback and the pilot of the offense their hand-picked coordinator will run. One might think that Herbert would have some say as to who should call the shots. However, it seems like Jim Harbaugh doesn’t think that should be the case.

“They should be involving Herbert in the offensive coordinator search, though Harbaugh said he has no plans to do so,” Daniel Popper wrote for his article on The Athletic. “‘He’s not looking to be the GM or the coach,’ Harbaugh said. ‘It’s our responsibility to put him in the best position possible.'”

The Chargers’ offense was once again nonexistent in the playoffs. Against the New England Patriots’ defense, LA only mustered up three points. The offensive line struggled to generate running lanes for their running backs and failed to protect Herbert. That being said, Herbert didn’t do himself any favors in the game, missing some makeable throws and failing to move the offense efficiently.

Roman has been criticized for his game-planning as well. His inexplicable abandonment of the run game has plagued him since his days with the Ravens, and it came back to haunt him with the Chargers. The incoherence of their passing attack also did Herbert no favors during the season.

The Chargers are hoping that Year 3 of the Harbaugh-Herbert partnership will bring about some tangible improvements. The luster of their surprise playoff appearance last season has worn off. Now, LA is looking for results that are better than a first-round exit in the postseason.

The post Is Justin Herbert involved in Chargers’ offensive coordinator search? appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Harbaugh said earlier in the week that he will be looking for an experienced play caller to be the next OC for the offense. The goal is not just win a playoff game but to make a run for the Super Bowl. The team certainly has the talent.

On Friday, the Chargers completed an interview with former Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan for the OC job. Callahan becomes the third coach to interview for the role after Shane Day (QB coach) and Marcus Brady (Passing game coordinator) both completed interviews as in-house candidates.

Callahan did not have any success with the Titans in his two years as coach. He coached the worst record in the league last season, which earned them the No. 1 overall pick. He and Cam Ward were unable to see any success this season, and the Titans quickly moved on from Callahan before the year could end. Former Chargers head coach Mike McCoy took over as interim head coach.

Callahan was the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2019 to 2023. He coached a very good quarterback, Joe Burrow, and an elite offense for a few seasons. Coaching runs in his family’s blood. There is no doubt that he will be coaching an offense again in the future, even if the Chargers don’t end up hiring him.

The Chargers need a great OC to get this team moving in the right direction.

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Aside from retooling the roster, another top priority for the Chargers is hiring an offensive coordinator after firing Greg Roman.

There are numerous candidates, and Harbaugh stated that they will leave no stone unturned in finding the right addition.

“Jim Harbaugh said they would cast a wide net for the new offensive coordinator, prioritizing physicality. Harbaugh said he’s not limiting the search to a specific system,” wrote ESPN’s Kris Rhim on X.

Rhim also quoted the 62-year-old Harbaugh as saying: “We’re gonna look for the best one that has a track record, has proven success.”

Jim Harbaugh said they would cast a wide net for the new offensive coordinator, prioritizing physicality. Harbaugh said he’s not limiting the search to a specific system.

“We’re gonna look for the best one that has a track record, has proven success.” – Harbaugh

Assistant GM… pic.twitter.com/7dC0hShumM

— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) January 15, 2026

Los Angeles has already interviewed Marcus Brady, who currently serves as the team’s passing game coordinator. He joined the Chargers in 2024 after stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Indianapolis Colts.

Harbaugh, who led the Chargers to an 11-6 record, said parting ways with Roman was tough but necessary, stressing that their job is to produce results. The Chargers have not made it past the wild-card round since 2019.

“The NFL is unforgiving. It’s unfair. It’s hard. That’s the nature of the business. But what we feel like is a direction that’s going to make us better, then we’re always striving for that,” said Harbaugh in a separate report from Rhim.

The Chargers could also have an entirely different look on defense, as defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could sign elsewhere to call the shots.

The post Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh reveals what he wants in new offensive coordinator appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Sunday night, for the AFC Wild Card, the Chargers managed to score only three points in New England against Mike Vrabel’s Patriots. Justin Herbert has fallen to 0-3 in the playoffs, and that isn’t counting the 35-32 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 in Week 18 to go to the postseason. Herbert and the Chargers’ offense have excelled under Jim Harbaugh in the two years he has been head coach, but that has only been during the regular season.

On Tuesday, Harbaugh made the tough decision to fire his offensive coordinator, Greg Roman. Roman had been with Harbaugh as his OC at Stanford, the 49ers, and the Chargers. They even lived together in a trailer when the two were hired by the Chargers ahead of the 2024-25 season. It’s safe to say, they are pretty much family. Despite that, the decision to let go of Roman could benefit the Chargers in a big way. Roman excelled in the past as a run-game specialist, but it just did not work with the Chargers. With Herbert as the franchise player, the Bolts need a play-caller capable of unlocking him in the playoffs. It is on Harbaugh and the front office to find the right person to lead the charge.

Here are five OC candidates (in no order) with track records that prove they can get Justin Herbert over the playoff hump.

Brian Daboll

Brian Daboll is arguably the best choice for Harbaugh to hire as the offensive coordinator. What Daboll was able to accomplish with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills helped him land the head coaching job with the New York Giants. His time with the Giants wasn’t perfect, but he had a respectable offense with Daniel Jones and Jaxson Dart before he was fired earlier this season.

Daboll has been an OC many times. It started with the Cleveland Browns from 2009-10, followed by the Miami Dolphins (2011) and Kansas City Chiefs (2012). He was the OC for Nick Saban and Alabama in 2017.

If Daboll is hired by the Chargers, look for his primary focus to be unlocking Herbert, similar to how Josh Allen became the superstar that he is. With Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt coming back from injury in 2026 as starting tackles, running that offense is going to be hard to pass up if given the opportunity.

Mike McDaniel

The former Dolphins head coach is going to be a top target for almost every available team needing a head coach and an offensive coordinator. McDaniel will have opportunities to be a head coach for another team, but if that doesn’t work out, then the Chargers should be all over him to be the next OC. McDaniel has proven to be an offensive genius with his playcalling. Being a head coach who calls plays is a different job entirely. If thrown back into the offensive coordinator role, McDaniel would excel with this Chargers offense.

McDaniel was the OC for the Niners in 2021 before taking the head coaching job with Miami.

Todd Monken

Todd Monken would be one of those Harbaugh family signings. There is a good chance that John Harbaugh will become a head coach quickly in the NFL after being let go by the Baltimore Ravens. When he does, Todd Monken could follow him to be his OC once again. If Monken does not follow John Harbaugh, then John’s brother Jim could be inclined to hire him. This would not shock anyone if it did happen.

Monken is still the OC for the Ravens as of right now. Before he was hired by Baltimore, he was the Georgia Bulldogs’ OC and QB coach from 2020-22. Monken has been in the game a long time. He was the OC for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2016-18 and the Cleveland Browns in 2019. The two-time national champion coach has had a ton of success over the years.

Mike McCarthy

The former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach would be an interesting option for the Chargers. McCarthy is an offensive mind who had a lot of success with Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott. Before he was the HC for the Packers, he was an OC for the New Orleans Saints and the 49ers.

McCarthy is looking to get back into coaching. The Chargers could be a good destination for him as the leader of the offense if he is unable to get any head coaching opportunities. A veteran presence could benefit Herbert in the playoffs.

Nate Scheelhaase

Someone who is not a veteran presence, but a rising coach among the talks of the league, is the Los Angeles Rams’ passing game coordinator, Nate Scheelhaase. Scheelhaase has an upcoming interview to be the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach after Mike Tomlin’s sudden decision to step down as head coach.

The talk around the league is that Scheelhaase is an under-the-radar coach that teams are interested in stealing from the Rams. This would not be the first time the Chargers have hired from the Rams, as they hired Brandon Staley as head coach after his role as defensive coordinator under Sean McVay.

The post Chargers’ 5 best OC candidates to get Justin Herbert over playoff hump after Greg Roman firing appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Herbert had a chance to change his image in this year’s Wild Card round against the New England Patriots. Unfortunately, things did not go his way. The Chargers quarterback did not throw an interception, but the offense was only able to muster three points the entire game. The result is another loss charged to Herbert’s name and more questions about the quarterback’s ceiling.

Despite Herbert’s dismal performance, his teammates were quick to defend him. Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen and safety Derwin James defended Herbert, saying that he was the reason the team was in the playoffs in the first place.

“If anything, he’s the reason we were in this position. Throughout the season, had those injuries,” Allen said, per Eric Smith of Chargers.com. “Doing what he does. Taking hits, getting back up, coming back, trying to go back to the next play, and keep us in the game.”

“Toughness. He was just trying to give us a chance,” James said. “Anytime I seen him, guys hitting him from the left, hitting him from the right and he kept battling. Nobody knows how hard it is back there when it’s like that. Credit to him for going out there and giving it his all, all season not just this game. All season. Got a lot of respect for 10, I know what type of player he is.”

To give credit where credit is due, Herbert was given a tough hand this season. Both of the Chargers’ starting tackles (Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater) suffered season-ending injuries early in the year. As a result, LA’s pass protection deteriorated throughout the year. Herbert himself suffered injuries in the regular season, but he was still able to lead the Chargers to the postseason despite taking 54 sacks this season.

Unfortunately, this loss and Herbert’s uninspiring performance will continue to fuel questions about his capabilities. For now, though, the Chargers will need to focus on getting healthy and getting proper protection for their star quarterback.

The post Chargers’ Justin Herbert’s teammates defend quarterback after another playoff dud appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Saturday, Both the Rams and Bears escaped with narrow wins to advance to the NFC Divisional Round, where they will face off against each other. Sunday was highlighted by upset wins for Josh Allen and the Bills and 49ers before the Patriots dismantled the Chargers in prime time. On Monday night, the Texans closed out the weekend with another dominant display from their defense to beat the Steelers on the road.

Who came out of the weekend as the biggest winners and losers from the opening round? Let’s dive into the list.

Winner: The cardiac Bears do it again

All season, the Bears have come up with different ways to win in the fourth quarter, each one crazier than the last. A lot of times, when teams are just scraping by in the regular season even against bad teams, it’s a bad sign for their playoff hopes.

But not for these Bears. Chicago kept its come-from-behind act alive in the Wild Card Round, rebounding from a 21-3 first half deficit against the Green Bay Packers to get an improbable 31-27 win and advance. A lot of things had to go right for the Bears to come back and get the win, including some pretty poor Matt LaFleur clock management, but this is a team that continues to make all the big plays when it needs to.

There is no greater example of that coming out of this game than Caleb Williams. The former No. 1 overall pick was inconsistent in his playoff debut, but he stepped up and made some big throws when it mattered. None were bigger than his dime to Rome Odunze while moving to his left to keep the Bears alive with a 11-point fourth quarter deficit.

The highest-graded play by any QB this weekend:

Caleb Williams fourth down conversion pic.twitter.com/lniH0V76ZH

— PFF (@PFF) January 12, 2026

Williams and the Bears have been underdogs for much of the season, were in this game and will be again against the Rams in the next round. But they have proven that they are hard to put away, and that’s a valuable skill this time of year.

Loser: The Eagles’ freefall finally grounds them

The Eagles were a dominant force going into, and all the way through, the playoffs last season on their way to a Super Bowl ring. Things felt a lot different coming into the playoffs this year, as the Eagles have been struggling on offense for much of the year. That came to a head in the Wild Card Round against an undermanned 49ers team on Sunday, as the Eagles struggled to move the ball for much of the game despite the Niners missing a lot of their best defenders.

Jalen Hurts was out of sync, the running game led by Saquon Barkley was inconsistent, and AJ Brown hurt the offense with a pair of key drops. All of that, plus a defensive performance that was a little below the standard Vic Fangio’s group had set over the back half of the season, has Philly going home early.

The changes have already started for Nick Sirianni and company, as Philadelphia announced it is making a change at offensive coordinator after a frustrating year for Kevin Patullo and his group. If the Eagles nail their next hire at that spot, like they did with Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore, there is plenty of talent on that side of the ball. However, if they don’t, 2026 could be another disaster for this attack.

Winner: Texans’ defense makes Super Bowl statement

The Texans have quietly been on fire over the back half of the season, finishing the regular season with a 12-5 record even after starting the season 0-3. They have been led by arguably the best defense in football, but haven’t gotten a ton of attention as the Jaguars caught fire at the end of the year to win the AFC South.

On Monday night, Houston showed why it deserves some more buzz heading into the Divisional Round. Houston’s defense, for lack of a better term, completely kicked the Steelers’ tail up and down the field in Pittsburgh on its way to a 30-6 win.

After a decent first quarter, the Steelers could do absolutely nothing against this vaunted Houston unit. For the night, Aaron Rodgers finished with a 21.2% dropback success rate and a -0.76 EPA per dropback, both of which rank dead last among 283 playoff games with 20 or more attempts since 2013 according to Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports.

To put the cherry on top, the Texans picked up the slack for CJ Stroud and the offense with a pair of defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Will Anderson Jr. stripped Rodgers on the first before Sheldon Rankins picked it up and scored, and Calen Bullock sealed the deal with a pick-six in the final minutes. Stroud and the offense have a lot of room to grow coming out of this one, but this defense proved that it is good enough to beat anybody.

Loser: Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense… really?

The best quarterback matchup on paper coming into the weekend may have been Drake Maye against Justin Herbert, as the two AFC elites were set to go at it in Foxborough on Sunday night. Herbert has been one of the best quarterbacks in football for the last six years and Maye broke out as an MVP candidate in 2025.

Instead, what the fans got was a defensive battle. Maye had some untimely turnovers in his playoff debut, but he still was able to move the Patriots down the field on a semi-consistent basis. On the other side, Herbert had one of his worst games of the season in a dreadful 16-3 loss.

The Chargers’ offense around Herbert has been a disaster all year; the offensive line is a mess after injuries to both star tackles, the running back room has been beat up, the receivers can’t get consistent separation and offensive coordinator Greg Roman has failed to scheme up a creative offense to help his deficient personnel.

When Herbert is on, he is good enough to drag all of that to 11 wins. When he’s not, like on Sunday, you get a 3-point dud on a national stage that will lead to another offseason full of questions.

Winner: Josh Allen puts on his Superman cape

The Bills are in a bit of an odd spot in these playoffs. They have been a mainstay in the AFC playoffs for years now, but none of the other stalwarts are here with them. Neither the Ravens nor the Chiefs are in the playoffs, leaving Josh Allen as the most experienced playoff signal-caller left in the AFC field.

That puts a lot of pressure on he and the Bills to get the job done, but they don’t really have a roster that warrants that level of expectation. Buffalo will have to win three road games to get to the Super Bowl, and Allen’s heroics will have to cover up for a severe lack of receiving talent and a defense that has a lot of holes.

On Sunday, that was enough to get a 27-24 win on the road over the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars, who came into the game having won eight in a row to conquer the AFC South. Allen finished the day 28-for-35 with 273 yards and three total touchdowns, and he led a game-winning drive in the final minutes that included an incredible chunk throw to Brandin Cooks for a big gain.

If Allen, who came into the week banged up and was struggling again during the game, can continue that, this Buffalo team can beat anybody. If he has an off day, however, it could get ugly quick for Bills Mafia.

Loser: The Panthers’ near-upset bid

The Panthers got Wild Card Weekend started off on Saturday with a game against the high-powered Los Angeles Rams, a game that many fans and pundits gave them no chance to win. After all, Carolina limped into the playoffs at 8-9 while the Rams came in as one of the Super Bowl favorites, so this was expected to be a rout.

The Rams started the day as a 10.5-point favorite, but they found themselves trailing in the final minutes before Matthew Stafford led them down the field for the game-winning touchdown to Colby Parkinson.

Carolina found a lot of success in the middle part of the game by blitzing Stafford, applying a ton of pressure to the potential MVP and keeping him out of a rhythm. However, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero went away from the pressure-heavy scheme, dropping seven and eight into coverage on the final drive and getting carved up by Stafford.

Overall, this game feels like a but of a moral victory for the Panthers considering the expectations coming in. But given the way the game ended up going, it feels like a bit of a missed opportunity to get a signature win.

The post NFL Wild Card Round Winners and Losers: Bears pull off another miracle, Eagles spiral appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Something is clearly missing from the Chargers. Los Angeles has multiple needs on both sides of the ball that they can address through free agency and the NFL Draft. They can also help themselves by making a trade. The Chargers should go after is edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.

The Bengals pass rusher is scheduled to be a free agent at the start of the league year. That means Hendrickson can sign with a new team in mid-March. However, if the Chargers can entice the Bengals to trade his rights prior to March 11, they could make him a remarkable offer. If that happens, he could eschew free agency and sign a long-term deal with the Chargers.

The benefit to making a trade for Hendrickson before he becomes a free agent is immense. It demonstrates to Hendrickson how much the Chargers want him. It is willing to sacrifice a player or a draft pick to get him when they could gamble and give up nothing for the opportunity to speak with him. The Chargers will send a message to the player that they value Hendrickson above and beyond the money it will pay to sign him to a contract.

It also tells the rest of the players in the league that the Chargers are willing to pay a premium to get the player that they really want. It changes the image of the team when it comes to signing high-quality free agents.

Chargers need a dominant defensive player

The Chargers had a decent year from a defensive perspective as they ranked 9th in points allowed. They gave up 20.0 points per game and that’s a decent ranking. However, if the Chargers are going to challenge the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs (if they bounce back to top form in 2026), they need to play a dominant level of defense and not just a pretty good one.

The Chargers’ defense focused on the play of linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu. He led the team with 13 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and 49 stops. Additionally, he had 3 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. By the end of the season, opponents were focusing on Tuipulotu and it’s clear that he would benefit from having another pass rusher who can collapse the pocket and wreak havoc.

Fellow linebacker Odafe Oweh was second on the Chargers with 7.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss along with 28 tackles in 12 games. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter had an outstanding year with this group and may get interviews for head coaching positions.

Hendrickson was limited to 7 games last season with the Bengals due to a pelvic injury, but the 31-year-old should be back to full health next season.

He led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024 and he also had 19 tackles for loss, 36 quarterback hits, 6 passes defensed, 2 force fumbles and 79 tackles. He also had 17.5 sacks in 2023, and he is the one player who may be able to challenge the NFL record of 23.0 sacks set by Myles Garrett this season for the Cleveland Browns.

Chargers would have to put together spectacular package to sign Hendrickson

Hendrickson is far more than a player who puts great numbers on the board. He has an incredible motor that allows him to get off the line of scrimmage faster than nearly every other edge rusher. By having Hendrickson on the front line, it will make every other defensive player on the Chargers that much more effective.

The 9-year veteran from Florida Atlantic is not huge for a pass rusher at 6-4 and 265, but his strength and power should not be underrated. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his last four full seasons with the Bengals, and he was also a 1st team All-Pro in 2024.

The speedy pass rusher was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2017, and he had 3 ordinary seasons before he came into his own 2020 with 13.5 sacks. The Bengals made him a 4-year, $60 million offer, and he is going to get a deal that guarantees him at least $30 million per year. He will probably want at least 4 years on his next deal, and it will be up to owner Dean Spanos and general manager Joe Hortiz to come up with that kind of deal if they are going to sign him and make Harbaugh a happy head coach.

The post Perfect offseason trade Chargers need to make after ugly playoff loss to Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Injuries have played a part in this, but the Chargers need to make the moves in the offseason to take the next step forward as a franchise. Organizational change has already begun with the firing of offensive coordinator Greg Roman, but the 2026 NFL Draft will be a time to improve the roster. After being eliminated from the playoffs, the Chargers are locked into the 22nd pick in the first round. So, which players are perfect fits that the Chargers should target?

Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

Spencer Fano is listed primarily as an offensive tackle, which, at first glance, would make his fit with the Chargers questionable. Tackle issues were a major problem for the Chargers this season, but both Slater and Alt should be back at full strength, forming one of the best tackle duos in the league next season.

Some scouts think Fano’s short arm length will lead to him becoming an offensive guard. Los Angeles needs help in the interior of their offensive line, too, and Fano can be a day-one contributor. Additionally, Slater and Alt’s injury-riddled 2025 seasons might have the Chargers concerned that they need an insurance policy.

Fano’s positional versatility would ensure Herbert stays upright and that first-round rookie running back Omarion Hampton can remain healthy in year two.

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

In addition to needing help in the trenches on offense, the Chargers need more size inside on defense. Kayden McDonald is one of the best defensive tackles in this class, and he’d be a great fit for the Chargers. McDonald was not in the eye of the draft world coming into the year, but the Ohio State defensive tackle was quite productive as a junior.

The 326-pounder combines the use of elite speed and strength, which led to 9.5 tackles for a loss. McDonald can both get after the quarterback and stuff the run. Jim Harbaugh wants his teams to win inside, and McDonald would drastically improve the Chargers’ front seven.

T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

While McDonald would help the defensive interior, T.J. Parker could supply an improvement along the edge. Tuli Tuipulotu had 13 sacks last season, but he could use a new pass rushing partner because Khalil Mack is destined for free agency. That is, if Mack doesn’t decide to just hang up the cleats.

Parker took a step back as a junior, but some scouts still look at his 2024 tape and see one of the top prospects in this draft class. As a sophomore, the Clemson product had 19.5 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks. He also forced six fumbles. Parker has game-wreaking potential, but a down season may allow him to fall into the Chargers’ laps. If he does, he could still become a superstar and end up as a draft-day steal.

The Chargers have plenty of talented skill players, but Harbaugh wants the team to dominate inside. If they are to do so, they will need to target Fano, McDonald, and Parker in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The post Chargers’ top 3 NFL Draft targets after early playoff exit against Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has interview requests from the Browns, Cardinals, Dolphins, Falcons, Giants, Raiders, Ravens and Titans, per source. That’s right—all 8 teams with openings put in for him. Minter is interviewing with the Titans and Cardinals today.”

Minter served as a defensive assistant with the Ravens from 2017-20. He returned to the college ranks with Vanderbilt and Michigan before becoming the Chargers’ DC in 2024. His defense with the Chargers ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed for the 2025 season. That put him on the radar of teams in need of a head coach.

Chargers Jesse Minter a popular head coach candidate

It doesn’t hurt that Minter has a nice list of names to drop. He has worked under Mike Macdonald, John Harbaugh, and Jim Harbaugh. And he’s relatively young age 42.

Minter’s list of suitors is long, according to a post on X by Mike Garafolo.

“He has requests in from the Titans and the Browns,” Garafolo said. “Right now, that list stands at two. It is not going to stay at two. Trust me. The Ravens, at the very least, for whom he worked for four years as an assistant under John Harbaugh, are expected to submit a request to speak to Minter. The Giants as well, and perhaps even more. Minter is a hot head-coaching candidate, working with Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh. Certainly, that pedigree that he has worked under, expecting him to get a ton of interest this coming week.”

It seems inevitable that Minter will land a head-coaching position in this cycle. It’s one of those strike-while-the-iron-is-hot situations.

Jim Harbaugh lauded the work of Minter during the Chargers’ 2024 season, according to the Pat McAfee Show.

“We’ve gotta enjoy Jesse Minter while we have him because I think he’s gonna be a Head Coach next year. We’ll be competing against him,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a humble warrior. He’s always trying to get better, and he has IT.”

The post Cardinals, Dolphins headline updated Chargers’ Jesse Minter head coach interview requests appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Offensive line coach Mike Devlin has also been fired from the Chargers, as they had the 32nd-ranked unit in the league all season long.

Jim Harbaugh had a tough decision to make. Harbaugh chose the team first over his unique relationship with Roman, who has been Harbaugh’s OC at Stanford, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Chargers.

Greg Roman has been the OC for the last two seasons under Harbaugh. He has done a good job coaching a respectable offense during the regular season. In the playoffs, however, Roman has not put his players in a position to be successful. The numbers are terrible over the last two years, and even dating back to his time with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens as OC at the beginning of the former MVP’s career.

Lamar Jackson & Justin Herbert’s stats in the playoffs with “Greg Roman”

• 1-5 record

• 55% cmp

• 2 TD’s

• 8 INT’s

Completely wasting primes of generational talents because the Harbaugh’s stay stuck in their ways. pic.twitter.com/BrB6tIHTGD

— Matt King (@yapmatt) January 12, 2026

Stay tuned for more information about the Chargers’ future and coaching hires. DC Jesse Minter has received head coach interview requests for all eight teams that currently have an open head coaching position.

The post Greg Roman officially let go by Chargers after playoff disaster appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Mack says he is thinking about retirement, but nothing is set in stone at this time.

“Not trying to make that decision right now like I’ve almost done before,” Mack said, per the team. “Trying to stay as present as possible, stay prayed up, make a decision based on how I’m feeling and how my family is feeling, the vibes.

“If the vibes are high, the decisions will be made,” Mack added. “Just figuring it out day by day.”

Mack is slated to hit free agency this offseason.

Khalil Mack battled injuries this season for the Chargers

Mack had an elbow injury that slowed him down during the 2025 season. He admitted that injury affected his frame of mind.

“I feel like when the elbow happened early in the year, it kind of took something off of the elements of what I am and who I am as a player,” Mack said. “I still kept seeing the chips, the slides and all the help. That’s a part of the game, that’s been the past 10, 11 years of my career.

“It’s just adapting and getting used to the elbow brace and all the certain things but not making no excuses and giving everything I got to help the team,” Mack added.

The Chargers suffered a 16-3 playoff defeat to the Patriots in the Wild Card Round. It was disappointing to Mack, but the linebacker says he doesn’t want to use that emotion to affect his decision about his future.

“You feel different in the sense of understanding how much time do you really have left to play at a certain level and what is that going to look like moving forward,” Mack said. “You don’t want to make a decision based on how you feel in the present moment, especially after a tough loss. It’s about taking time and taking that step back.”

Mack now has 113 sacks in his long, illustrious NFL career. He posted 5.5 sacks during the 2025 season.

The post How ‘vibes’ will help Chargers’ Khalil Mack determine if he retires or returns appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Patriots game was a letdown performance overall for McConkey and Los Angeles’ offense, which racked up just 207 total yards to 381 by New England. The 24-year-old McConkey wasn’t able to make a significant impact, as he only had three receptions on four targets for 32 receiving yards, capping his 2025 campaign on a sour note.

With LA out of Super Bowl contention, McConkey now looks forward to working on his craft in the offseason, hoping that he’ll have a strong bounce-back campaign in 2026.

“I want to be able to impact the game,” McConkey told reporters on Monday, via ESPN Chargers reporter Kris Rhim.

“I want to be able to make plays. I want to be able to get this offense going. I want the ball on my hands. I want to go make plays. And at times, we weren’t able to make that happen,” added the former Georgia Bulldogs star wide receiver.

Selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, McConkey turned heads immediately in his rookie season, collecting 1,149 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 82 receptions and 112 targets in 16 games in 2024.

But instead of improving on those numbers in 2025, McConkey’s form dropped, as he posted just 789 receiving yards on 66 receptions and 106 targets in 16 games, though, he was still able to find the end zone six times.

The post Chargers’ Ladd McConkey drops sobering truth bomb on disappointing Year 2 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With this latest loss, Herbert is now 0-3 in the playoffs, and for a talented quarterback like himself, it’s tough to see him not being able to get it done when the lights get brighter.

Nonetheless, there are still people around him that are not panicking, such as Bradley Bozeman, and he spoke about why he’s confident Herbert will get a win in the playoff win.

“Because he’s the best fucking quarterback in the league. Flat out. That’s all I got to say about that. The guy’s special, and it sucks to not get him there because he’s that kind of caliber,” Bozeman said via Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

As for Herbert himself, he seemed unsure about his confidence to get over the playoff when asked after game, according to ESPN’s Kris Rhim.

“I don’t know. I haven’t figured it out yet and it hasn’t happened, so we’ll have to reevaluate and see what happens,” Herbert said.

Herbert still has a lot of game left, and the chances of him getting a playoff win are pretty high, but he and the team will have to get better if he wants to get the job done with the Chargers.

There will definitely be some changes to the team during the offseason, as they try to put the best team together to get over the playoff hump. It’s not certain if they start with the coaching staff or the actual roster, but both sides could use a change of scenery at some level.

The post Justin Herbert’s center declares him ‘best f***ing quarterback’ in NFL despite playoff stinker appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Furthermore, Herbert’s three straight seasons with 4,000 passing yards are an NFL record. He even owns almost every rookie passing record. While the talent is evident, the Chargers haven’t won a single playoff game during Herbert’s six-year tenure. The team is 0-3 in the postseason with Herbert under center, and they most recently lost 16-3 to the New England Patriots in a game where Herbert and the offense couldn’t get anything going.

The Chargers shouldn’t trade Herbert, as it would be nearly impossible to get a replacement as talented as the Oregon product. The team instead needs to add more pieces around Herbert that can help the team break through. However, many football fans are clamoring for Herbert to be traded so he can have a better chance of contending.

So, which Herbert trade destinations could actually make sense and help turn his playoff misfortunes around?

The Indianapolis Colts need a quarterback after Daniel Jones’ injury

Johnny Unitas and Peyton Manning both made their names with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, and the two signal callers rank among the best quarterbacks in NFL history. However, Indianapolis has struggled to figure out the quarterback problem for years now. After Andrew Luck retired, the team tried different bridge options, including Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco, but none of them proved to be a franchise option.

The team swung on Anthony Richardson in the NFL Draft, but he looks like an NFL Draft bust after losing a quarterback competition to Daniel Jones and because he has been hurt for a sizeable chunk of his career. Jones found success this past season, but the team stumbled after he tore his Achilles tendon, and now his future is in doubt because of the gruesome injury. The Colts resorted to going back to Rivers at the quarterback spot to end their season. He was 44 years old and had been retired since 2020 before the comeback attempt.

Now, the Colts will likely again be looking for yet a new gunslinger. The rest of the roster is solid; the team simply needs a high-level quarterback. Herbert could be that guy. With him under center, the Colts would have one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the NFL. Jonathan Taylor is one of the league’s best running backs, and the team has a great receiving corps with tons of depth.

The defense also has plenty of talent. The Colts are all in on winning sooner rather than later because they gave up a lot of draft capital to acquire Sauce Gardner. That trade may prevent the Colts from having a competitive offer for Herbert, but if they could figure out the details on a trade, the Colts are one of the few teams with a championship-caliber roster that is just lacking an upper-echelon quarterback.

The Las Vegas Raiders could trade the No. 1 pick for Justin Herbert

Of all the quarterback-needy teams, the Las Vegas Raiders have perhaps the most intriguing trade offer to make for Herbert. The Raiders own the number one overall pick. In all likelihood, Las Vegas will take Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. Dante Moore from Oregon also has a case for the top pick. If the Raiders don’t fall in love with either player, they could trade their premier draft capital for a proven quarterback like Herbert.

It wouldn’t be worth trading the first overall selection for anyone of a lesser caliber than Herbert, and perhaps the Chargers would be willing to reset their timeline with a younger quarterback. The Raiders see Herbert twice a year, so they are well aware of just how talented he is.

Interdivisional trades are also pretty rare, so that is the one thing that could prevent this trade from happening. If the Chargers see Hall of Fame potential in Mendoza or Moore, they just may be willing to take the risk and trade with the Raiders, though. After all, a rookie first-rounder will be under contract for longer than Herbert and will come at a much discounted rate in comparison to his $52.5 million average annual value.

The Chargers will already have the most cap space in the NFL this offseason. Shedding Herbert’s contract would allow them to completely overhaul the roster with a massive spending spree during free agency.

Justin Herbert would make sense for the Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are set to move on from Kyler Murray this offseason. The former first overall pick has shown flashes of greatness, but he has been too streaky since being drafted. Herbert’s production has been more consistent than Murray’s, but it hasn’t resulted in the Chargers winning playoff games.

A change of scenery in which these two are swapped for each other could pay off for both teams. The Cardinals would have to include more assets, likely both in the form of players and draft picks, in order to flip Murray for Herbert. The Chargers could covet these new pieces, and the Cardinals would be more than happy to get a quarterback upgrade during an offseason in which they are already looking to replace Murray.

While this would be a downgrade at quarterback for the Chargers, especially because Murray is a year older than Herbert, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback is perhaps the most deserving player at his position of a second chance. He still has loads of potential despite his Cardinals tenure being somewhat underwhelming.

A Justin Herbert trade to the Minnesota Vikings could work

The Minnesota Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in 2024. Through two seasons, injuries have limited him to just 10 games. The Michigan product and college national champion has plenty of potential, which is why the team chose him over retaining Sam Darnold.

They may be regretting that decision, though. With a great defense and Justin Jefferson, one of the best receivers in football, on the roster, the Vikings are just a quarterback away from being a problem. McCarthy didn’t do much this season to prove he has a bright future, but he was a top 10 pick not long ago, so perhaps the Chargers would be interested in taking on his development.

Kevin O’Connell is a playcalling genius. With O’Connell’s offensive mind, the Herbert-led Vikings’ offense would become elite. Herbert would surely break through to find postseason success in Minnesota.

The post 4 perfect Justin Herbert trade destinations that could save his career after playoff disaster appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Left tackle Rashawn Slater did not play this season after tearing his ACL during training camp. It was only downhill from there. Joe Alt injured his tackle twice during the course of the 2025 season, and the second time was enough for him to miss the remainder of the year. Alt moved from right tackle to left tackle in place of Slater. After Alt went down, the Chargers were down to their 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th tackles: Trey Pipkins III, Austin Deculus, Jamaree Salyer, and Bobby Hart. The team even traded for former first-rounder Trevor Penning; however, he was unable to make an impact.

After the Wild Card loss to the Patriots, Joe Alt was asked by the media (via Daniel Popper) about his ankle injury this season and set a goal for next season.

Joe Alt did not want to go into the specifics of his ankle injury, but when asked if there was a fracture and ligament damage, he said, “Everything you could do to an ankle, I did, pretty much.”

Alt added: “The goal is to have it not affect me at all” heading into 2026.

Herbert and the Chargers desperately need Alt and Slater back healthy for the 2026-27 season. Herbert’s career may depend on it, as more years of miserable play in the playoffs are difficult to overcome.

The post Chargers’ Joe Alt sets 2026 goal after season-ending ankle injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now that the 2025 season is over, LA can spend time figuring out what went wrong this year. They can also make up a plan for fixing it.

Thankfully, the Chargers are set up to be big players during the offseason.

The Chargers are projected to have $103.58 million in cap space to start the 2026 NFL offseason. That number could even increase if the Chargers make any cuts to trim down the roster. That gives LA the most available cap space in the NFL, meaning they could be big players during free agency if they want to.

But which players should LA prioritize adding?

Below we will explore the top four free agents the Chargers need to pursue after losing to the Patriots in the playoffs.

Tyler Linderbaum could become the anchor of LA’s offensive line

It is no secret that Harbaugh wants to establish the run with the Chargers. That means a great offensive line should be at the top of LA’s wishlist this offseason.

The Chargers already have two incredible tackles in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Just one or two additions could take LA’s 0-line over the top and make them one of the best in the league.

That’s where Linderbaum comes in.

I know that the Chargers already have Bradley Bozeman at center. But Linderbaum is simply too good to ignore.

The Ravens are in the middle of a rare regime change. It is possible that a new head coach will not want to keep Linderbaum around. If that happens, he will immediately become one of the best free agents on the market. And someone the Chargers should sell out to acquire.

Linderbaum could be the perfect anthor for Harbaugh’s offensive line for years to come.

Plus, the Chargers could always use Bozeman as depth at center. Or slide him over the guard to fill another spot in the starting lineup.

Linderbaum could command $18 million per year on a new deal, but he would be well worth the cost.

Thankfully, there are a few other offensive linemen the Chargers could target if Linderbaum is not available.

David Andrews, Wyatt Teller could be upgrades at guard

Both David Andrews and Wyatt Teller could be guard upgrades for the Chargers.

Which player LA goes after would depend on what they’re looking for. Teller is more of a short-term option who could provide elite play when healthy. A short-term contract may be appealing to the Chargers.

Meanwhile, Andrews has proven to be an iron man after playing over 90% of snaps in Buffalo over the past two seasons. He is young than Teller and could be a plug-and-play starter for multiple seasons. But that could mean a bigger investment.

Either way, LA should be on the prowl to upgrade over Zion Johnson (who should leave in free agency) and Mekhi Becton at guard.

Ultimately, I think gaining depth at the offensive line is a great move for the Chargers. As is adding reliable starters who can be counted on to protect Herbert and punch open holes in the running game.

Linderbaum should be their priority, but adding other veterans on the interior of the offensive line should be a nice consolation prize.

Could the Chargers land an affordable edge rusher like Boye Mafe?

Okay, let’s leave the offensive line alone now.

Both trenches could use some serious upgrades in LA. That includes the defensive line.

The Chargers do not have edge rusher Khalil Mack under contract for the 2026 season. The 35-year-old edge rusher has played okay over the past two seasons. But now feels like the right time to move on to someone younger.

LA still has Tuli Tuipulotu and Odafe Oweh, but they could use one or two more reliable edge rushers. That’s where Mafe comes in.

Mayfe has been a good player for the Seahawks over the past few seasons. His best season as a pass rusher came in 2023 when he had nine sacks.

The Chargers don’t need Mayfe to be an incredible player, but just part of a solid rotation.

Price will be the name of the game here. There’s no question Mayfe would be a great add for the Chargers.

But he could end up staying in Seattle. Or demand a ridiculous contract that makes no sense for LA.

Chargers fans should keep Maye on their radar closer to free agency.

The post Chargers’ top 4 free agent targets after bowing out of playoffs against Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Chargers fell to the New England Patriots 16-3 as the offense could not get into a groove at all. The Patriots’ defense shut them down all game long, and Justin Herbert had another playoff flop. He is now 0-3 in the playoffs, with many questions surrounding his ability to lead.

On a positive note, the Chargers contained a very good defense led by Jesse Minter. Minter was Jim Harbaugh’s DC at Michigan and followed him to Los Angeles. Over the last two seasons, Minter has coached a top-five defense in the NFL. Now, he is a hot commodity on the market as there are going to be just about every available team wanting him as head coach or a DC. The Bolts were 9th in opponent scoring, allowing 20 points per contest in 2025.

According to Jordan Schultz, Minter has already been requested by four teams for head coach interviews. The Baltimore Ravens were the first team reported, followed by (in no order) the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Cleveland Browns. The Ravens make sense because of the Harbaugh connection. Minter would join a familiar culture, aiming to keep the Ravens as playoff contenders.

If Minter coached his last game with the Chargers, then Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz will have a huge decision to make about hiring the next defensive coordinator. Harbaugh should seriously consider moving on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman if he wants to see the offense improve when it matters most.

The post Ravens, Raiders among 4 Chargers’ Jesse Minter head coach interview requests appeared first on ClutchPoints.

History repeated itself as the New England Patriots defeated the Bolts 16-3 in a game that was very important for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. The star quarterback has dropped to 0-3 in the playoffs, and many questions loom about whether this team will ever get it done with him leading the way. Herbert and the offense played terribly as they could not get into a rhythm at all.

The Chargers’ defense, coached by Jesse Minter, played their hearts out and did everything they could to try and get the job done. Now, Minter will get some head coaching interviews with a real shot to become one in the coming days and weeks. The Baltimore Ravens have already requested an interview for the defensive coordinator for their head coaching vacancy.

This playoff loss was not on the defense. Derwin James, Tuli Tuipulotu, Odafe Oweh, and Daiyan Henley did everything they could to keep the Patriots at only 16 points. The Chargers contained one of the best defenses in the league, led by Minter. It was the offense that failed. An offense that offensive coordinator Greg Roman runs.

Greg Roman has been the OC for the last two seasons under Harbaugh. He has done a good job coaching a respectable offense during the regular season. In the playoffs, however, Roman has not put his players in a position to be successful. The numbers are terrible over the last two years, and even dating back to his time with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens as OC at the beginning of the former MVP’s career.

Lamar Jackson & Justin Herbert’s stats in the playoffs with “Greg Roman”

• 1-5 record

• 55% cmp

• 2 TD’s

• 8 INT’s

Completely wasting primes of generational talents because the Harbaugh’s stay stuck in their ways. pic.twitter.com/BrB6tIHTGD

— Matt King (@yapmatt) January 12, 2026

Those numbers above are terrifying if you are Justin Herbert. The only way Herbert can improve as a quarterback in the playoffs is if he has an OC that is capable of elevating his play. Roman has not been able to do that. Jim Harbaugh must fire Roman if he wants to see any change in his star player’s play in the playoffs. That is when it matters the most.

After the loss to the Pats, Harbaugh was asked about the future with Roman as OC. Harbaugh did not have an answer for the media.

“We’re gonna look at that and everything,” Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh is not going to throw his friend under the bus. Roman has been with Harbaugh a long time, and it’s his one OC that he trusts the most. Harbaugh must put aside the friendship and focus on the team first. The Chargers will not see a change in Herbert’s play with the same play caller in the future. There are many offensive-minded coaches out there who are a much better fit for the job.

It was not Roman’s fault that he lost his two star tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt; however, the Bolts refused to make any changes or upgrades and had the 32nd-ranked offensive line in the NFL. The unit was flat-out terrible on the field. Herbert was running for his life more often than not, and Sunday night was a perfect showcase of that.

If Jim Harbaugh wants to fix Herbert’s career and flip the page, then he knows what he has to do.

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Drake Maye of the @Patriots is the youngest player in NFL history with 250+ passing yards and 50+ rushing yards in a playoff victory. pic.twitter.com/B4YnseJAvG

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 12, 2026

Maye moved the ball with calm for the Patriots. He attacked tight windows. He escaped pressure with quick steps. Each scramble pulled gasps from the crowd. Each throw kept drives alive. Even so, he knew some reads came late. A few throws missed. He owned it. That honesty spoke louder than the box score.

The Patriots never felt threatened as their defense smothered the Chargers from the opening snap. They allowed no touchdowns, forced punts, and boxed in Justin Herbert. That gave Maye space to stay aggressive without fear. A young quarterback grows fast when the team behind him refuses to bend.

After the game, Maye pointed to his teammates. He said they picked him up. He said the Patriots win mattered more than his stats. It was not a script. It was leadership in January.

Patriots set a new standard under old banners

This was not a flashy playoff debut. It was a serious one. The Chargers tried to bait Drake Maye into mistakes. He adjusted. He kept attacking. That is why the Patriots kept control even when drives stalled.

What made the night special was not only the record. It was the response to it. Maye could have soaked in the headlines. Instead, he raised the bar in the NFL Playoffs.

For a franchise built on demanding standards, that mindset fits. Old banners watched a new voice take shape. The future did not arrive loud. It arrived focused on Wild Card night. So as this Patriots run moves forward, one question now hangs in the cold air of January—how dangerous will Drake Maye be once he starts meeting his own expectations?

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The Chargers 3 points in the Wild Card round loss to the Patriots is the second fewest in Chargers postseason history, behind a 31-0 loss to the Dolphins in 1992. pic.twitter.com/tlDW447D9i

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) January 12, 2026

The Patriots ran 64 plays for 381 total yards, a clean 6.0 yards per snap. By contrast, the Chargers managed 59 plays for 207 yards and just 3.5 per play. As a result, that gap felt wider on every drive. Then, passing made it worse. Los Angeles went 19 of 31 for only 120 yards, a flat 3.2 yards per pass. Meanwhile, New England hit 17 of 30 for 235 yards at 6.7 per throw. To their credit, the Chargers did avoid a pick. Still, pressure wrecked timing, as six sacks cost them 39 yards. Even so, the ground game could not rescue it, with 87 rushing yards on 22 tries.

Chargers relive 1992 in a brutal playoff collapse

The Patriots stayed balanced and cruel. They rushed 29 times for 146 yards at 5.0 per carry. Along the way, they moved chains, drained the clock, and finished drives. By contrast, the Chargers did none of it. Instead, ten drives came and went. Only once did one end with points. After that, the rest faded into punts and frustration.

Now, this loss sits beside the infamous 1992 postseason, when the then–San Diego Chargers shut out the Patriots 17–0 in the Wild Card only to be crushed 31–0 by the Miami Dolphins days later. Different era. Same pain. Still, fans remember those ghosts. They felt them again as the scoreboard refused to budge. Three points in a playoff game is not a blip. It is a warning.

Right now, the Patriots look like a team built for January. On the other side, the Chargers looked lost in it. Under those harsh NFL Playoff lights, belief matters. Even more, execution matters. So where does Los Angeles go from here, and how long will this sting before a real answer finally arrives?

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On paper, Herbert should be the perfect modern-era quarterback. At 6-foot-6 and around 240 pounds, he has the build of the prototypical quarterback. He’s got an arm that can make all kinds of throws, the body to hold up against the pass-rushers of today, and he’s even got some mobility to not only move out the pocket, but even make plays as a runner.

These talents show up big time in the regular season. Through six seasons, the Chargers quarterback has thrown for 24,820 yards, completing around 66% of his passes and throwing 163 touchdowns. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler who’s been excellent in the regular season.

Stars are not made in the regular season, though. They’re made in the postseason, and Herbert has historically struggled when the playoffs hit. While he’s only been in two games, his first two games have been so disastrous that he’s already earned a reputation as a playoff choker.

In his first playoff game, Herbert had a solid game, but he was part of the Chargers’ 27-point collapse to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023. Last season, Herbert had a disastrous game, throwing four interceptions en route to a loss to the Houston Texans.

This year’s playoffs should have been Herbert’s opportunity to break the stigma surrounding him. Instead, his performance against the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round only serves to add more questions around him. Herbert’s inability to elevate the Chargers in the postseason calls into question his future with the team.

Herbert’s playoff duds becoming a problem

Let’s get one thing out of the way first: yes, the Chargers’ offensive line was atrocious. If Herbert was not running for his life, he was getting blown up by a Patriots defender with a free lane. Having a bad offensive line is a hindrance for most teams, and allowing six sacks usually isn’t a good indicator that you’re going to win.

That being said, Herbert wasn’t the only quarterback who faced adversity in the pocket. The Chargers’ pass rush was able to get to Maye in the same way, notching five sacks on the Patriots quarterback. Maye even threw an interception in the game and fumbled a ball.

What was the difference, then? Well, Maye made plays when it mattered the most. When the Chargers weren’t able to get to him, Maye made great throws to his players. Even under pressure, Maye was able to bob and weave in the pocket to make plays.

Herbert, on the other hand, looked rattled during the game. When the pocket collapsed, Herbert’s first instinct was to run the ball instead of looking downfield. When he did attempt those outside-the-pocket throws, the Chargers QB missed his open receivers by a mile.

Good quarterbacks fold under good defense. Great quarterbacks find a way to overcome that defense. For years now, Herbert has been placed in conversations with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson. However, what separates the Chargers QB from the Big 4 is that in the postseason, all four QBs find a different gear.

Mahomes has made a living being the ultimate playoff performer, no matter how “bad” his regular season is. Burrow was in a similar situation to Herbert in 2022 against the Tennessee Titans, but he overcame a nine-sack game from the Titans to will the Bengals to victory. Allen may not have the playoff wins, but he’s always been a great quarterback in the playoffs.

It’s not a stretch to say that Herbert’s next playoff appearance may make or break his time with the Chargers. He’s a good quarterback, no doubt about it. However, he hasn’t shown the ability to elevate his team to the next level. If Herbert has a pedestrian game or worse, it might be time to talk about his future with the Chargers.

Herbert has four more years in his contract, but he does have an opt-out clause in 2029. Will the Chargers actually trade their quarterback after another playoff disappointment? It’s possible, but finding a quarterback who’s better than Herbert (or at least on the same level as him) is going to be tough.

Herbert will get another crack next season, hopefully with a healthier offensive line. Let’s hope that the Chargers’ offensive line troubles was really the reason for his dismal performance this time around. Because if it isn’t, and Herbert really just isn’t cut out for the postseason… there will be some uncomfortable conversations to be had about the Chargers quarterback.

The post Justin Herbert’s Chargers playoff failures put him at career crossroads appeared first on ClutchPoints.

There’s plenty of blame to be passed around, particularly on one side of the ball. The offense was the biggest factor in the Chargers’ loss. Scoring three points is a surefire way to lose the game, and Los Angeles’ vaunted defense eventually broke down after the offense squandered their opportunities. Let’s look at the biggest culprits behind the Chargers’ loss.

Offensive Line

This one was obvious to anyone who watched the game. The Chargers’ offensive line has been a problem all season long. Injuries to both of their starting tackles in LT Joe Alt and RT Rashawn Slater have killed their pass protection this season. All throughout the regular season, everyone knew that their shoddy protection would get them in trouble if they did make the postseason.

Well, lo and behold, the Chargers’ offensive line did get them in trouble against the Patriots in the Wild Card round. New England’s strength on defense doesn’t come from their pass rush: they recorded 35 sacks in the regular season (2.05 sacks per game, tied for fifth-least) and had a low pressure rate as well (20.3% pressure rate, 9th-worst in the league). Yet against the Chargers, the Patriots’ pass rush looked like a world beater.

While the official advanced statistics aren’t out yet, it did feel like quarterback Justin Herbert was pressured all game long. The Chargers’ offensive line also allowed six sacks on Herbert and eight QB hits, each hit getting more and more brutal. Their inability to give adequate protection for their quarterback stymied their offensive attack.

Yes, the Chargers’ pass catchers couldn’t get open against the Patriots’ defense, likely contributing to the pressure Herbert faced. However, when the offensive line consistently allowed free rushers to get home, it’s hard to blame anyone else for the loss.

Justin Herbert

Do not get it twisted, though: this game was just as much on Herbert as much as it was on the offensive line. The Chargers’ offensive line couldn’t stop a stunt to save their lives, but even with a clean pocket, Herbert was ineffective. Whether his broken hand played a factor remains to be seen, but his performance was certainly subpar.

Herbert finished the game with 19 completions on 31 attempts, finishing with 159 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. It’s nothing too crazy, which is exactly the problem. In a gritty game with the defense stopping the vaunted Patriots attack, the Chargers needed Herbert to take that next step and will the offense to a win.

Herbert looked shaky in the pocket, bailing way too early at times in order to run the ball away from the pressure. Inaccuracy also plagued the Chargers quarterback, missing multiple open receivers. Even when he escaped the pocket for a cleaner line of sight, Herbert overthrew his receivers multiple times.

In short, it seemed like the lights were just too bright for Herbert… again. While he didn’t throw multiple interceptions like he did in the Chargers’ last two playoff loses, Herbert was unable to overcome the adversity thrown at him in the postseason. This game unfortunately will keep the talks of the quarterback being a “playoff choker” alive.

All statistics taken from pro-football-reference.com

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Roman joined the Chargers alongside Harbaugh in 2024, following earlier collaborations at Stanford and San Francisco, and later with John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens, where he served as offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022. He’s had his fair share of success, such as Lamar Jackson’s 2019 MVP season, but when it comes to the playoffs, his track record is pretty underwhelming. In seven playoff games as an offensive coordinator, Roman-led teams have scored 23, 13, 17, 17, 12, 12, and 3 points, an average of 13.9 points per game.

Following Sunday’s loss, when asked if Roman is the right person to be calling plays for Los Angeles, Harbaugh gave a noncommittal answer, saying he didn’t have the answer at the moment, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim.

“We’re gonna look at that and everything,” he added.

Against New England, the LA managed just one scoring drive, a 21-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker. The offense went 1-for-10 on third down, failed on a fourth-down attempt, and amassed only 159 passing yards through the air.

Quarterback Justin Herbert completed 19 of 31 passes for 159 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Leading the Chargers on the ground with 57 yards, Herbert also took six sacks from the Patriots’ defense. At halftime, Los Angeles had produced only 117 total yards, converting just one of five third-down attempts. Herbert had thrown for 93 yards at the break, while the running game gained 36 yards on 13 carries, a 2.8-yard average.

After an interception by linebacker Daiyan Henley set the offense up with first-and-goal at New England’s 10-yard line, the Chargers failed to score and did not attempt a single running back carry on that series. First-round rookie running back Omarion Hampton finished the first half with just one carry, while Kimani Vidal had seven. Herbert scrambled five times. LA also went for it on fourth down from the Patriots’ 2-yard line, only the second time Harbaugh attempted a fourth-down try inside the 10-yard line all season.

The Chargers’ defense, coordinated by Jesse Minter, forced multiple turnovers by New England quarterback Drake Maye, who finished 17 of 29 for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Patriots advanced behind three field goals from Andres Borregales and will face the winner of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Houston Texans in the divisional round.

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And a well-deserved embrace from his coach

LACvsNE on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/KAG8g9gs5s

— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026

Williams later admitted what happened, saying, “I was turnt. I forgot he didn’t have a helmet on.” That quote fit the scene for the Patriots: loud, loose, and real.

Milton Williams, with a smile, on splitting Mike Vrabel’s lip after his game-sealing sack: “I was turnt. I forgot he didn’t have a helmet on.” pic.twitter.com/onQi2EUqDM

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 12, 2026

The hit was not malicious. It was emotion spilling out. Vrabel even smacked Williams’ helmet right after, more playful than angry. Cameras later caught Vrabel checking his lip when he noticed a little blood. He shrugged it off. The sack had ended the game. That mattered more than anything. The Patriots were moving on. The Chargers were done.

Just a little blood for Vrabel pic.twitter.com/ZXp3OKKEZ7

— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026

Why that moment mattered for the Patriots

That split second said a lot about the Patriots. In that moment, Milton Williams did not look for a camera or a teammate. Instead, he went straight to his coach. That shows trust. It also shows connection. He had just delivered the biggest play of the night, and because of that, he wanted to share it with the man who put him in position to make it.

Meanwhile, Mike Vrabel took it in stride because he understands that fire. He wants players who care that much. More than that, he wants the Patriots to feel the moment. In the NFL Playoffs, emotion is not a weakness. It becomes fuel.

After the bump, Vrabel smacked Williams’ helmet and later noticed the blood on his lip.

Under those stadium lights, the Patriots looked like a team playing for each other, not just the scoreboard. Moments like that build belief. They also build identity. And in turn, they make fans lean forward.

So now, the question hangs in the cold air of January—if this is the edge and unity New England brings when it counts, how far can these Patriots really go?

The post Patriots’ Milton Williams leaves Mike Vrabel bloody after game-ending sack celebration appeared first on ClutchPoints.

You gotta be willing to spill some blood pic.twitter.com/yZvsrT56tp

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 12, 2026

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to sit here and be your coach. You guys worked so hard for this opportunity,” Vrabel said. As the Patriots players leaned in, he pushed the message further. “We said all along you have to be willing to spill some blood, and the big dogs come out in January. The milk came over there and knocked the living s**t out of him. But I ain’t afraid to spill a little blood either.” In that moment, the meaning was clear. The message was raw. It was honest. And it fit the moment.

On the field, the Patriots defense embodied that mindset. They hit hard, closed space, and never let the Chargers breathe. As a result, every third down felt heavy. Every stop felt louder. The Patriots controlled the game from the first snap and never loosened their grip. Under the stadium lights, their identity showed. This was not just a win. It was a statement.

What comes next for the Patriots

Mike Vrabel kept his Patriots grounded even as the celebration rolled after their Wild Card win in the NFL Playoffs. Still, he made the point clear. “We’re a team, and we’re going to do this thing together. Everybody here is a part of it,” he said. Then the focus sharpened. “We’re going to figure out who we play next. We’re going to prepare, and we’re going to get healthy.” The trust in the room was obvious. “You believe in the identity, and this is all for you.” Finally, he let the joy out. “It sure beats going on vacation… one clap for the big dogs.”

Now the Patriots are still standing, but the road only gets tougher. So who is ready to feel that blood-and-steel football next?

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Speaking to reporters in the locker room, James was first asked about the fight his team showed despite the lopsided score. Fighting emotion, he admitted the Chargers simply fell short when it mattered most.

“Came up a couple of plays short, didn’t get it done today. We’re playing hard, but just didn’t get it done today,” said James, via Sports Central LA, visibly choking up as tears welled in his eyes.

When James was asked about the emotional weight of losing with this specific group, his response turned deeply personal. Reflecting on the sacrifices made throughout the year, he offered a vivid metaphor that summed up the night.

“It means everything,” James added. “Seeing how much these guys sacrificed, multi-age training camp. we didn’t get it done today, man. And it’s like drawing it up in the sand and the waves coming by and knock it away. So we didn’t get it done. Credit to the Patriots for coming out today and getting the win. But we just didn’t play good enough today.”

The frustration was magnified by how well Los Angeles defended for most of the night. For the longest time, the Chargers held rookie quarterback Drake Maye in control in the game. When asked what changed late, James pointed to the smallest margins deciding playoff games.

“We got to finish. Can’t give up the touchdowns. Can’t give up no points, really. Can’t give up no field goals,” he said. “So just get better. And right now, don’t even have the words, honestly. I got to look at the film. I wish I had better words for you, but I really don’t.”

"We didn't get it done today, man. It's like drawing it up in the sand, and the waves come by and knock it away."

Chargers S Derwin James after the 16-3 loss to the Patriots.@chrishayre | @CBSLosAngeles | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/wyvaPJXOjW

— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) January 12, 2026

The Patriots ultimately broke through on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Maye to tight end Hunter Henry, while New England’s defense overwhelmed Justin Herbert, sacking him six times. The Chargers’ final two drives ended the same way — Herbert on the turf, the season slipping away.

The loss marks another early playoff exit for the Chargers, extending questions about how a roster with elite talent continues to fall short in January. Still, James’ words made one thing clear — the pain is shared, and the standard remains.

The post Chargers’ Derwin James shares vivid metaphor to sum up wild-card loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Herbert suffered another crushing postseason defeat, following his 2022 and 2024 runs. He has failed to make it past the first round in both appearances. And he has failed to make the postseason outright in three of his six seasons in the NFL. Questions have been asked about whether he can have a long postseason run. After Sunday, it seems Herbert is unsure about it himself.

“I don’t know. I haven’t figured it out yet and it hasn’t happened, so we’ll have to reevaluate and see what happens,” the Chargers star said, via ESPN’s Kris Rhim, in response to a question about whether he has confidence in himself to get over the hump.

Herbert did not have the best performance on Sunday. He attempted 31 passes, completing 19, but failed to throw a touchdown as previously mentioned. He racked up 159 passing yards on those 19 completions. The Chargers quarterback also led the team in rushing with 59 yards on 10 carries.

The Chargers also did a poor job in protecting Herbert in this game. Overall, neither side did well, as the defenses combined for 11 sacks on Sunday night. However, Herbert was sacked six times in the loss to the Patriots.

Los Angeles is turning its focus toward the offseason after this loss. There are some questions to answer before the 2026 season kicks off this September. It will certainly be interesting to see how Herbert and the Chargers organization approach the coming offseason.

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Season recap

The Chargers’ 2025 campaign followed a familiar arc. They enjoyed consistency over 17 weeks, followed by frustration in January. Finishing 11-6 and second in the AFC West, Los Angeles earned another Wild Card berth behind a defense that ranked among the league’s best in efficiency and points allowed. Harbaugh’s blueprint was clear. They needed to control the line of scrimmage, protect leads, and let the defense dictate terms.

For long stretches, it worked.

However, the offense never fully hit its stride. Injuries along the offensive line forced constant reshuffling. It disrupted continuity and limited the passing game’s explosiveness. Sure, the run game carried the load during the regular season. Still, that formula collapsed in the postseason. Against New England, the Chargers were held to just three points. They struggled to sustain drives and failed to protect consistently in obvious passing situations.

The loss was clarifying. This roster is close but far from complete.

Draft needs

The Chargers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with clear priorities. Interior offensive line help sits at the top of the list. Guards Mekhi Becton and Zion Johnson, along with center Bradley Bozeman, are all facing free agency. That leaves major questions about protection and cohesion up front. For a team built on physicality, instability inside is unacceptable. That is especially true when protecting a franchise quarterback.

Defensively, the Chargers face similar uncertainty. Defensive linemen Teair Tart and Da’Shawn Hand are set to hit the open market. Meanwhile, edge rushers Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh also face uncertain futures. Replenishing the defensive line, particularly with a run-stopping anchor, is essential to maintaining the identity Harbaugh wants.

Holding the No. 22 overall pick, Los Angeles is positioned to target a foundational trench player rather than a luxury selection.

Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Chargers’ 3-round mock draft based on the PFF 2026 NFL mock draft simulator.

Round 1, pick 22: DI Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

If Jim Harbaugh were building a defensive tackle in a lab, it might look a lot like Kayden McDonald. The latter is a classic late first-round trench investment. He is cetainly not flashy and not built on sack totals. That said, he is devastatingly effective. His run defense alone justifies the pick. He consistently eats double teams, controls gaps, and forces ball carriers to redirect before reaching the second level. Against elite competition, his tape shows a player who understands leverage and assignment discipline at a professional level.

In Los Angeles, McDonald would immediately change the math up front. Pairing him with established edge threats allows the Chargers to free up one-on-one matchups while solidifying the run defense. There’s also upside as a pass rusher. That’s not in raw explosiveness but in developing counters and interior push as he grows into a three-down role.

This is a pick about identity. McDonald doesn’t just fill a need. He also reinforces what the Chargers want to be.

The missing second-round pick

The Chargers’ absence in Round 2 underscores a recurring reality for playoff teams: success compresses draft flexibility.

Without a second-rounder, Los Angeles must extract value from later selections and prioritize players with clear roles. This is about finding contributors who can stabilize key areas as veterans depart. That reality makes their third-round pick especially important.

Round 3, pick 86: C Jake Slaughter, Florida

Jake Slaughter may not dominate highlight reels, but he fits exactly what the Chargers need.

Slaughter is a smart, athletic center who thrives in mid- and outside-zone concepts. That’s a natural fit for Harbaugh’s run-heavy approach. His quick first step allows him to gain leverage early. He is effective climbing to the second level, where his coordination and angles shine. He plays like a field general, identifying fronts and communicating protections with confidence.

There are limitations, though. Slaughter isn’t built to overpower defenders one-on-one. Elite NFL length will challenge him. That said, his intelligence, mobility, and technique make him a stabilizing presence. That is precisely what the Chargers need after a season defined by interior chaos.

As a third-round selection, Slaughter represents value and reliability. He also carries the potential to grow into a long-term starter in the right system.

The path forward

This mock draft doesn’t chase stars but solutions. McDonald shores up the defensive interior and reinforces a playoff-ready identity. Slaughter brings order and athleticism to an offensive line that failed when it mattered most. Together, they address the root causes of Los Angeles’ postseason collapse rather than masking them with skill-position flash.

Justin Herbert, Harbaugh, and the Chargers don’t need reinvention. They need reinforcement.

The Chargers won 11 games again in 2025. They still walked off the field in January looking outmatched. This draft won’t generate buzz, but it could prevent another playoff dud. In the AFC, that might be the difference between being respected and being feared.

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The offense has looked completely disjointed at Gillette Stadium, struggling to find any rhythm against a ferocious Chargers pass rush. While growing pains are expected with young signal-callers, Maye’s struggles on Sunday reached a historic low for his young career.

According to ESPN Insights, Maye completed just 40% of his passes in the first two quarters. That figure marks his lowest completion percentage in any half this season.

It wasn’t just the incompletions; it was the way they happened. Maye looked rattled in the pocket, missing open receivers and holding onto the ball too long. The Chargers’ secondary, seemingly aware of the rookie’s hesitation, sat on routes and forced tight window throws that Maye couldn’t fit.

This performance stands in stark contrast to the steady improvement Maye showed down the stretch of the regular season. The Patriots needed him to be a stabilizing force to keep up with Justin Herbert and the high-powered Los Angeles offense. Instead, the defense has been forced to stay on the field, wearing down as the offense consistently goes three-and-out.

Head coach Jerod Mayo has a massive challenge in the locker room at halftime. If New England wants to avoid a one-and-done postseason trip, they need to completely overhaul the passing attack for the third quarter. Maye has shown flashes of brilliance this year, but right now, he looks like a rookie learning the hard way that playoff football is a different beast entirely.

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Hampton showcased a lot of promise throughout his rookie campaign in the NFL. Despite missing eight games due to injury, he proved to be effective in the Chargers’ rushing attack. He had 124 rushes for 545 yards and four touchdowns while making 32 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown.

However, he had a questionable status going into the playoffs. He was dealing with an ankle injury that put his availability into question. Despite that, Los Angeles revealed its inactive list as it doesn’t feature Hampton, meaning he will take part in the contest.

“Our inactives for #LACvsNE: CB Isas Waxter, S Kendall Williamson, OLB Bud Dupree, OLB Kyle Kennard, OT Austin Deculus, WR Dalevon Campbell, TE Tyler Conklin,” the post read.

“Omarion Hampton officially active tonight,” NFL insider Adam Schefter wrote.

What lies ahead for Omarion Hampton, Chargers

It’s a positive update for Omarion Hampton to get as the Chargers prepare for a big showdown against the Patriots.

Los Angeles shined as one of the best teams in the AFC, starting the year 3-0.  Despite going 8-6 the rest of the way, they maintained stability by securing a playoff spot and the seventh seed in the AFC bracket. This set up a date against New England, who dominated the regular season with a 10-game win streak at one point.

The Chargers haven’t gotten past the Wild Card Round in their last two playoff appearances. 2018 was the last year they reached the AFC Divisional Round when franchise legend Philip Rivers led the way as their quarterback. They beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-17 in the Wild Card before losing 41-28 to the Patriots.

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Now that the 272-game grind is over, we come to the playoffs with the 16 best teams competing for the Lombardi Trophy. No more pretenders, no more middling football teams (well, we still have the Panthers, but I digress), and no more New York Jets.

While the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks get to sit at home, rest up, and fight off rust for a week, this NFL Wild Card Weekend gives us six must-see matchups that should provide some incredible football games. And one of the ways we can be sure of this is that we’ve seen several of these matchups already this season.

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers split their season series, while the Carolina Panthers upset the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13.

However, we also have the Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots, and Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers, which are all first-time matchups this season that should produce scintillating results.

The NFL Wild Card playoffs schedule brings us two Saturday games at 4:30 pm and 8:00 pm ET, three Sunday games with 1:00 pm, 4:30 pm, and 8:00 pm ET kicks, and a Monday night showdown in the usual 8:15 pm ET timeslot.

We did pretty well overall in the topsy-turvy Week 18 world, going 12-4 and 10-6 against the spread. That winning week puts us up at 165-107 when just picking winners and helps us improve to 125-141-6 ATS on the season.

Previous weeks: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11  | Week 12 | Week 13| Week 14| Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17| Week 18

So, with that, let’s get right into the NFL Wild Card playoffs picks, predictions, and odds.

Courtesy of DraftKings, here are the NFL odds.

Los Angeles Rams (-10.5) at Carolina Panthers

The last time the Rams and Panthers squared off, it produced one of the most shocking results of the 2025 NFL season. Matthew Stafford threw not only his first interception in 318 attempts, but he also followed that up by throwing a pick-six two throws later.

That Michael Jackson touchdown put the Panthers up 14-7, and they would go on to win 31-28. It was a game that would ultimately help cost the Rams the No. 1 seed in the NFC and help the Panthers make the playoffs despite finishing with a losing record.

So, is this a Rams revenge blowout, a second improbable upset, or another close battle that will simply tip in the Rams favor this time?

Well, being the opening game on Saturday means that the NFL expects it to be the worst game of the weekend. That suggests option A. However, Carolina is a different team at home, which is why what’s behind Door No. 2 has to be considered.

In the end, though, the third choice seems the most likely. The Panthers will probably not get blown out at home, nor will they beat the far superior Rams twice in one season. That means the NFL Wild Card playoffs picks, predictions, and odds column will take LA, but y about a touchdown.

Pick: Rams 28-21

Green Bay Packers (-1.5) at Chicago Bears

The other repeat game on the NFL Wild Card playoffs slate is a trilogy, not just a sequel. These NFC North rivals net in Week 14, and the Packers prevailed 28-2. Two weeks later, in Chicago, the home team once again prevailed with the Bears taking a 22-16 overtime victory.

Now, the oldest rivals in the NFL meet for the third time in 34 days with their seasons on the line. It doesn’t get more dramatic than that.

Here’s the thing about those last 34 days, though. In that time, the Bears are 2-2, but the second loss was a meaningless Week 18 game. The Packers have not won since that victory over their rivals. Without Micah Parsons and with a banged-up Jordan Love or Malik Willis, Green Bay is simply not the same team.

In the Wild Card round, the injury issues remain mostly unchanged, and they have to go to Chicago again to keep their season alive. So, while the NFL Wild Card playoffs picks, predictions, and odds column does have a lot of confidence in Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams in general, this is more an anti-Packers pick than a pro-Bears one.

Pick: Bears 24-23

Buffalo Bills (-1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

If you are a card-carrying member of Bills Mafia, you’ve heard two narratives in the run-up to this game. First, in a season without Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Joe Burrow in the playoffs, the Bills’ path to the Super Bowl has never been this wide open.

However, the second narrative bubbling under the surface is that, despite Josh Allen being the best football player on the planet right now, the Jaguars are by far the better team and one that is playing a lot better than Allen’s squad right now.

Well, both things can be true.

This is the year that Allen and the Bills have to reach the Promised Land, as he is the last man standing from the recent golden microgeneration of QBs. But Trevor Lawrence is playing the best ball of his career thanks to Lian Coen and the massive advantage that the Jaguars have in coaching, and through the rest of their roster, makes this a game that Jacksonville would be favored in if the reigning MVP wasn’t on the other side.

So, who wins out in this battle of Josh Allen vs. Duval County et. al.?

Call me crazy, but I still do think this could be Allen’s year, and when he has put on his Superman cape this season, the results have been incredible. For at least one more week, we get to see the Man of Steel save Metropolis in the end.

Pick: Bills 35-33

San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5)

There is only so much analysis you can do here because neither of these teams is playing their best football of late, and both have major flaws. That said, if either of these squads shows up with their absolute A game, this could be a walk for them. They are that good in nearly every aspect of the game when they are on.

If the 49ers’ offense clicks and their young, inexperienced defense, led by the incredible defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, plays over their heads, it will be a San Francisco upset.

If the Eagles’ ridiculously talented defense shows up and the offense—who all seem to hate each other—get on the same page for a week, it will be Philly marching on to the next round.

Because the Eagles always seem to get it together when they have to, and Kyle Shanahan always seems to find that rake to step on right before the finish line, the NFL Wild Card playoffs picks, predictions, and odds column has to go with the Eagles, but by a field goal or less.

Pick: Eagles 20-17

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots (-3.5)

At times this year, Justin Herbert seems to be the Prince Who Was Promised. Drake Maye, on the other hand, may have snatched that mantle in just his second season, as he may win his first NFL MVP Award at just 23 years old.

While we’d like to figure out a way to keep Herbert and Jim Harbaugh going in the playoffs, the truth is, the NFL Wild Card playoffs picks, predictions, and odds column doesn’t believe they have much of a chance here.

The Chargers don’t generally travel well, and their two offensive tackles are still out for the season, so none of that bodes well. Plus, while you might ding Maye for his lack of playoff experience, Herbert’s playoff experience is a horrific 0-2, so that’s no advantage.

New England does have some shortcomings that may show up I the Divisional Round or beyond, but this week, they will win comfortably.

Pick: Patriots

Houston Texans (-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers got their miracle last week when they astonishingly beat the rival Ravens to get into the playoffs. That’s where this run ends, though, as the home dogs don’t seem to have one bite left in them.

DeMeco Ryans and the Texans have arguably the best defense in the NFL right now, and that travels in the postseason. Plus, while Mike Tomlin hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016, Ryans has won both his Wild Card matchups in his first two seasons.

Ultimately, Aaron Rodgers doesn’t like to get hit anymore (and who does at 42?), and Houston will hit the Pittsburgh QB early and often. That should be more than enough to give the Texans the win and the cover in the end.

Pick: Texans 19-10

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Hampton has been inconsistent since returning from a two-month layoff in December and did not play in the Los Angeles Chargers’ regular season finale against the Denver Broncos. He intends to suit up in Foxborough, however.

“Yeah, that’s the plan,” the two-time All-American with North Carolina said, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Hampton missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday before returning to the field on Friday, so this is great news for fans.

Can Omarion Hampton push the Chargers forward?

LA head coach Jim Harbaugh identified the 22-year-old as a key component of the team’s game plan, but an injury-decimated offensive line has prevented him from implementing a truly lethal rushing attack. Second-year RB Kimani Vidal filled in admirably as a starter earlier in the campaign, but he cooled off significantly in December. The Chargers need a healthy and impactful Omarion Hampton if they are going to make actual noise in the playoffs.

The former Tar Heels star showed flashes of promise in 2025, logging 124 carries for 545 yards and four touchdowns in nine games. He has also proven to be a competent pass-catcher for Justin Herbert, recording 32 receptions for 192 yards and a score. Because the star quarterback is without tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, getting the ball out quickly is vitally important.

Despite his inexperience and iffy health, Hampton figures to be a pivotal performer in this AFC Wild Card meeting with New England. Assuming he is good to go on Sunday, the young back will try to boost the Chargers to their first postseason win in seven years.

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Uphill battle

The Chargers’ road to the Divisional Round runs straight through Gillette Stadium. That’s where New England has built its identity around physical football and situational dominance. Los Angeles finished the regular season 11-6. They leaned on a defense that quietly became one of the league’s most consistent run-stopping units. That strength will be tested immediately against a Patriots offense that wants nothing more than to shorten the game and force opponents into mistakes.

Justin Herbert’s health is the central storyline. Nursing a left-hand injury and operating behind an offensive line ravaged by injuries, Herbert will need to rely on quick decisions. He will have to leverage timing routes and trust in his receivers. Playoff football, though, often rewards quarterbacks who can process quickly and remain composed. If Los Angeles can avoid early mistakes and stay within striking distance, their defensive front gives them a chance to hang around deep into the fourth quarter.

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Here we will look at and discuss some bold predictions for the game between the Chargers and the Patriots in Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season.

Chargers hold Patriots under 100 rushing yards

This will set the tone for everything else. New England’s ground game has been elite. However, the Chargers’ run defense is built specifically for this type of challenge. Los Angeles ranks fourth in rush EPA allowed. It has consistently limited explosive rushing plays by winning at the point of attack and maintaining gap discipline.

If the Chargers can hold Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson in check early, the Patriots’ offensive identity changes dramatically. That would force New England to lean more heavily on the passing game than it prefers. Holding the Patriots under 100 rushing yards doesn’t guarantee victory. Still, it keeps Los Angeles firmly in the fight.

Tuli Tuipulotu delivers a statement

Every playoff run needs a defining defensive performance. This game sets up perfectly for Tuli Tuipulotu. The Chargers’ pass rush has been inconsistent at times. Tuipulotu, though, remains capable of flipping games with a handful of high-impact plays. Against a Patriots offensive line that has shown occasional vulnerability in pass protection, he is positioned for a disruptive afternoon.

The prediction: Tuipulotu finishes with at least two sacks. He will consistently collapse the pocket and force hurried decisions. Alongside Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack, Los Angeles will generate just enough pressure to prevent New England from playing comfortably on third down. Holding the Patriots under 20 points becomes realistic if Tuipulotu bags Maye.

Omarion Hampton powers the’ offense

Yes, much of the focus is on Herbert’s arm. That said, Los Angeles will need balance to survive in Foxborough. Omarion Hampton provides that stabilizing presence. The Chargers will lean into a physical run game. They will trust Hampton to grind out tough yards and keep the Patriots’ defense honest.

The bold call here is volume and efficiency. Hampton will clear 120 total yards, consistently turning modest gains into manageable second and third downs. By staying committed to the run—even if it’s not flashy, the Chargers can slow the game. That will limit New England’s possessions and take pressure off Herbert.

Justin Herbert wins the day

On paper, this sounds reckless. The Chargers’ offensive line has been battered all season. Herbert has taken more hits that most. On the flip side, playoff games often hinge on elite quarterbacks transcending imperfect circumstances. Herbert will do exactly that.

Expect Los Angeles to feature quick throws, layered route concepts, and designed rollouts to mitigate pressure. Keenan Allen’s reliability and Ladd McConkey’s ability to create separation will be crucial. Herbert won’t be perfect, but he will be productive enough. He should eclipse 250 yards by spreading the ball and attacking favorable matchups when they appear.

Chargers steal it late

This is where the prediction swings fully into upset territory. The Patriots control stretches of the game. The Chargers bend but don’t break. With the score tight in the final minutes, Herbert engineers a composed, clock-chewing drive. That will flip field position and set up a a Cameron Dicker game-winner.

Los Angeles escapes Foxborough with a 24-21 victory. They will stun the home crowd and flip the AFC playoff picture. It won’t be clean, dominant, or comfortable. However, it will be memorable.

Bottom line

The Chargers enter this Wild Card matchup as underdogs. They are battered by injuries and burdened by history. That said, playoff football is not about perfection but resilience and stars delivering when the margins shrink. If Los Angeles can neutralize New England’s run game, unleash its pass rush, and trust Justin Herbert in the biggest moments, this AFC Wild Card Game has all the ingredients of a massive upset. Los Angeles walks into a storm, but they will survive it.

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On Sunday night, two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL will go head to head when Drake Maye and the New England Patriots take on Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots have been one of the surprises of the league this season, racing to a 14-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC, while the Chargers picked up the final wild card spot at 11-6.

The Chargers had a chance to play for better seeding in Week 18, and potentially help the Patriots get the No. 1 seed in the process, but they chose to rest Herbert against the Denver Broncos and were beaten 19-3 with Trey Lance at quarterback. The biggest reason for this was obviously that Herbert has been playing with a broken left hand for more than a month now, and this was a logical spot for him to get some extra rest before the postseason.

However, there may have been a part of the Chargers that was looking ahead to the first round of the playoffs and seeing the possible opponents they could play. Had the Chargers won, they could have moved up to the No. 6 seed and played the Broncos, but it was also on the table for Los Angeles to matchup up against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Out of the top three teams in the AFC, the Patriots are by far the team that the Chargers want to see in the postseason, and that could have played into their decision to sit Herbert and some other starters in Week 18.

Here are the two main reasons why the Chargers should like their chances, even on the road, against the Patriots on Sunday.

Chargers offensive line should be able to hold up

The Chargers, as is the case with most of the teams in the playoffs this season, have their flaws on both sides of the ball. On the offense, the offensive line has held back Jim Harbaugh and company all season long. The Chargers have lost both of their star tackles, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, to injury this season, and have dealt with more attrition beyond that as well.

As a result, Herbert has been under siege whenever he has dropped back to pass so far this season. He has been pressured on 43.3% of his dropbacks according to Next Gen Stats, the highest number in the league by a wide margin. Only Jacoby Brissett of the Arizona Cardinals also sits above 40% among qualified passers this season.

The good news for the Chargers in this matchup is that the Patriots don’t get after the quarterback particularly well, especially compared to the other teams at the top of the AFC like the Jaguars and the Broncos. New England is getting pressure on just 35.9% of their opponents’ dropbacks, the 10th-highest rate in the league, but ranks just 20th in sack rate and 26th in total sacks.

That will be music to Herbert’s ears, as the star quarterback has been excellent all season long when he has had time to operate in the pocket. When facing no pressure, Herbert has tossed 16 touchdowns to just four interceptions this season and has a +0.33 EPA per dropback, one of the best marks in the NFL. If he has time to operate in this game, it could be a long night for the New England defense.

The Patriots do have star defensive tackle Milton Williams back for this game after he missed most of the second half of the season, so that should help New England disrupt the pocket. However, this is the ideal matchup for the Chargers up front in these playoffs.

Patriots shouldn’t be able to run the ball on Los Angeles

Jesse Minter and the Chargers excel at stopping the run and forcing opposing quarterbacks into long down-and-distances where they can cause chaos and create some turnovers. This season, Los Angeles ranks second in the NFL in EPA per rush allowed, behind only the Seattle Seahawks.

The Patriots have one of the best offenses in the NFL, but that is most thanks to the passing game and MVP contender Drake Maye. The running game has been solid, but inconsistent, with Rhamondre Stevenson seeing the majority of the reps and rookie TreVeyon Henderson getting a bigger workload as the season has gone along.

Henderson has been able to create a number of explosive runs this season, but the Pats haven’t been able to get a consistent push on a down-to-down basis. New England boasts just a 40.5% rushing success rate on the season according to Next Gen Stats, which ranks 23rd in the NFL.

The Chargers defense can be gettable if you can keep them in neutral situations where Minter can’t sit on either the run or the pass. However, there is a world where Maye is forced into a lot of obvious passing situations if Stevenson and company can’t move the ball on the ground.

Maye is good enough to overcome that, like he has time and time again this season, but it would certainly make his life much more difficult against a very good defense if he has to carry the burden of the offense for 60 minutes.

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