# Los Angeles Chargers NFL team. Team code: **LAC**. ## Quick Facts - **Team code:** LAC - **Head coach:** * (Jim Harbaugh) - **Offensive coordinator:** * (Mike McDaniel) - **Defensive coordinator:** Chris O'Leary (Chris O'Leary — Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator) - **Coaching tree:** see Coaching Trees ## 2026 Outlook Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert are a proven pairing, but the Chargers have been rudely bounced from the wild-card round each of the past two seasons by a combined score of 48-15. For Los Angeles to finally find postseason success, they need to get past first-round failures. The Chargers have reinforced their run-first identity with signings like blocking specialist Charlie Kolar (3-year, $24.3M deal) and fullback Alec Ingold, representing a leaguewide trend of valuing multi-tight-end blocking concepts. Kolar's role is NOT pass-catching but rather as a lead blocker in 12/13 personnel packages—his run-blocking with Baltimore produced 5.7 yards per carry on field versus 4.7 without him. Mike McDaniel's scheme is heavily dependent on outside-zone concepts and leveraging multiple tight ends for blocking efficiency. Defense ranking in the top 10 in points allowed in both 2024 and 2025. The bigger concern is former coordinator Jesse Minter's departure to Baltimore. Herbert's narrative has been that he can't win the big game—in three playoff contests, he's lost a 27-0 lead, thrown four interceptions, and totaled 159 yards at 5.1 yards per attempt. He's also had minimal help, sacked 54 times last year with limited receiving options beyond Ladd McConkey. Herbert's talent is undeniable, but he'll need to rise above these challenges (per SI's 2026 Ranking of the NFL's Coach-QB Duos, The entire NFL needs to keep an eye on Chargers' sneaky free-agent addition in 2026). Defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary, who replaces Minter, brings a more aggressive blitz-heavy scheme than his predecessor's zone-coverage approach. O'Leary's calling cards include varied pressures and complex stunts. The Chargers blitzed just 18.9% of the time in 2025 under Minter; expect this to climb sharply in 2026. O'Leary also emphasizes pre-snap communication and single-high safety structures to enable more pressure from the front seven. Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley described the transition as an "easy transition" with the defense "evolving" under O'Leary, signaling compatibility between new coordinator and existing personnel (per Daiyan Henley leaves fans guessing with latest comments about Chargers' defense). The Chargers added pass-rusher Akheem Mesidor in the draft to complement existing edge weapons Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. Mesidor's physical maturity and interior strength align well with O'Leary's scheme—if O'Leary leans into the blitz, Mesidor could generate significant pressure as a rookie, both inside and on the edge as a break player for Mack/Tuipulotu (per Chargers' new defense could lay a path for Akheem Mesidor to make some major noise). ## Fantasy Footprint (original notes) Chargers' ceiling hinges on tackle health. Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater both missed significant time in 2025 (Alt: 6 games with ankle issues; Slater: entire season with patellar tendon injury). Harbaugh provided positive health updates heading into OTAs, signaling both tracking toward full participation. Interior O-line improved with Tyler Biadasz, Cole Strange, and Jake Slaughter. If both tackles return healthy with scheme click, Chargers could win AFC West for first time since 2009. Mike McDaniel offense should unlock easier paths for Herbert and Omarion Hampton. Denver (defending division champs) and Kansas City (if Mahomes healthy) remain favorites (per Jim Harbaugh gives Chargers hope for 2026 and Chargers fans will be hoping this dream 2026 season scenario plays out). McDaniel's appointment as OC is expected to significantly improve Chargers offensive output. Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) predicts the unit could average 25 points per game in 2026—a substantial jump from 20.6 PPG in 2025. Jim Harbaugh praised the McDaniel-Herbert partnership at OTAs, noting that both coaches and QB are highly intellectual with similar ways of seeing the game. Harbaugh said the mesh between them exceeded his expectations (per Senior NFL Writer Makes Bold Claim About Chargers' Mike McDaniel). Herbert's playoff history with Harbaugh remains a concern: 0-2 record in postseason, combined 48-15 losses, including a 27-point blown lead. Critical test in 2026 to prove regular-season success (22-12, two 11-win campaigns) can translate to playoff wins, with improved O-line and Mike McDaniel offense as potential unlocking factors (per Most likely to win first Super Bowl in 2026 NFL season). The Chargers' defensive unit was ranked 7th overall heading into 2026 and has no major weakness across any position group — a rarity in the NFL. The defense ranked top-10 in total yards, pass defense, run defense, and points allowed in 2025. Despite losing Odafe Oweh to Baltimore, additions of first-round pick Akheem Mesidor and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson help offset turnover. The starters Daiyan Henley and Denzel Perryman provide experience in the middle. If O'Leary can maintain defensive production while elevating the offense via McDaniel, the Chargers have a legitimate Super Bowl contention pathway (per Chargers' defensive strength is a Super Bowl pathway). **Super Bowl contention ranking (June 14):** Los Angeles is ranked 5th among NFL teams most likely to end their 63-year Super Bowl drought in 2026. The Chargers won their only Super Bowl title in the AFL in 1963, and have played for a title just once since—in January 1995 when they were run off the field by the 49ers in the Super Bowl. While Jim Harbaugh's arrival in 2024 has led to more regular-season success, the Chargers have continued to come up short in the playoffs. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could make a significant difference while maximizing the talent of Justin Herbert, who is still searching for his first playoff win (per After Knicks' long-awaited title, ranking NFL teams most likely to end their Super Bowl droughts in 2026). ## Players (Fantasy-Relevant) - **QB:** Justin Herbert (PPR #67), Trey Lance (PPR #NR) - **RB:** Keaton Mitchell (PPR #158), Kimani Vidal (PPR #181), Omarion Hampton (PPR #NR) - **WR:** Laddy McConkey (PPR #17), Ladd McConkey (PPR #35), Quentin Johnston (PPR #116), Tre' Harris (PPR #173), Brenen Thompson (PPR #NR) - **TE:** Oronde Gadsden II (PPR #114), Jalen Bowers (PPR #NR), David Njoku (PPR #NR), Charlie Kolar (PPR #NR) - **K:** Cameron Dicker (PPR #NR) ## Coaches - Head coach: * (Jim Harbaugh) - Offensive coordinator: * (Mike McDaniel) - Defensive coordinator: Chris O'Leary (Chris O'Leary — Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator) ## Recent News - 2026-04-14 — Chargers have an insurance policy if pass-rusher plans collapse on draft night (Chargers have an insurance policy if pass-rusher plans collapse on draft night) - 2026-05-11 — Tight end David Njoku agrees to deal with Chargers - The Athletic (Tight end David Njoku agrees to deal with Chargers - The Athletic) - 2026-07-09 — The entire NFL needs to keep an eye on Chargers' sneaky free-agent addition in 2026 (The entire NFL needs to keep an eye on Chargers' sneaky free-agent addition in 2026) - 2026-07-08 — Trey Lance should still have the upper hand in looming Chargers position battle (Trey Lance should still have the upper hand in looming Chargers position battle) - 2026-06-16 — Offensive Coordinator and Scheme Changes For Fantasy Football: The Chargers Are Set To... (Offensive Coordinator and Scheme Changes For Fantasy Football: The Chargers Are Set To...) - 2026-02-24 — What we learned from Chargers GM Joe Hortiz’s combine news conference - The Athletic (What we learned from Chargers GM Joe Hortiz’s combine news conference - The Athletic) - 2026-07-07 — Los Angeles Chargers Injury Updates: Every injured player to monitor heading into... (Los Angeles Chargers Injury Updates: Every injured player to monitor heading into...) - 2026-06-08 — Chargers offensive line undergoing seismic schematic shift under Mike McDaniel, Butch... (Chargers offensive line undergoing seismic schematic shift under Mike McDaniel, Butch...) - 2026-02-16 — Patrick Mahomes injury update: Latest news on Chiefs QB after exiting game vs.... (Patrick Mahomes injury update: Latest news on Chiefs QB after exiting game vs....) - 2026-07-05 — One Chargers Contract That Will Age Poorly in 2026 (One Chargers Contract That Will Age Poorly in 2026) ## Open Questions - Will Justin Herbert's improved simplified playbook under Mike McDaniel unlock his ability to execute at the level expected since draft, or will the system merely mask underlying limitations? **Source:** Offensive Coordinator and Scheme Changes For Fantasy Football: The Chargers Are Set To Smash In 2026 **Status:** open **Last touched:** 2026-06-27 - Does the McDaniel hire pull the Chargers' offense closer to top-five fantasy output with Justin Herbert and Omarion Hampton? **Source:** Full list of 2026 NFL coordinator grades from CBS Sports **Status:** open **Last touched:** 2026-05-21 - What's driving the massive gap between Polymarket (42.6%) and Kalshi (17%) on Tyreek Hill landing with the Los Angeles Chargers? **Source:** Where Will Tyreek Hill Play in 2026? Kalshi and Polymarket Disagree — By a Lot. **Status:** open **Last touched:** 2026-05-25 - Can Mike McDaniel turn around the Chargers offense without the weapons he had in Miami, and will he elevate Justin Herbert to top-5 QB status? **Source:** NFL 2026 offseason power rankings **Status:** open **Last touched:** 2026-05-28 - Will Justin Herbert's extreme footwork reprogramming (learning to lead with left foot instead of right foot, first major change at age 7 in his NFL career) under Mike McDaniel actually improve his efficiency in 2026, or is this a sign of deeper mechanical/confidence issues? **Source:** 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Chargers Adjusting QB Justin Herbert's Footwork **Status:** open **Last touched:** 2026-06-18 ## Sources - Chargers add Miami-tree assistants around McDaniel for 2026 --- Source: https://chatffb.com/teams/los-angeles-chargers · ChatFFB — fantasy football answers updated from a live news wiki.