- - 2026 NFL offseason preview: Los Angeles Chargers will have plenty to spend to help Justin Herbert reach that elusive breakthrough

Dan PizzutaJanuary 11, 2026 at 11:18 PM

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to pass the ball under pressure from Anfernee Jennings #33 and Carlton Davis III #7 of the New England Patriots of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier via Getty Images)

The NFL offseason has begun, and Yahoo Sports is previewing the coming months for all 32 teams, from free agency through the draft and more.

AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | JetsAFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | SteelersAFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | TitansAFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | ChargersNFC East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | CommandersNFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | VikingsNFC South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | BuccaneersNFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks

Los Angeles Chargers

2025 season record: 11-6 (over 9.5 wins), second in AFC West, lost in AFC wild-card round, 17th in DVOA

Overview

The 2025 Chargers’ season was an objective success. Finishing with 11 wins and second place in their division would have sounded great at the start of the season. But it feels like the Chargers left so much on the table.

Justin Herbert was incredible throughout the season, but couldn’t get the production to match. His finish of 21st in EPA per play doesn’t come close to representing what the Chargers’ quarterback did weekly. The Chargers lost both starting tackles in Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, while the team had nine offensive line combinations that played at least 50 snaps together. Herbert was the most pressured quarterback in the league.

This also felt like a missed opportunity for a defense that was seventh in weighted DVOA by the end of the season. Coordinator Jesse Minter could become a head coach elsewhere, which would force the Chargers into a defensive reset after two impressive years from that side of the ball.

[Get more Chargers news: L.A. team feed]

But the Chargers could also look completely different next season, with some financial flexibility to build up the roster around a superstar quarterback.

Cap/cuts outlook

No team enters the offseason with more effective salary cap space than the Chargers at $103 million, according to Over The Cap. With only 36 players under contract, the team will need to use some of that to fill out the roster, but the Chargers should still have a lot of wiggle room to spend if they want. Another $10 million could be opened up if the team moves on from Mekhi Becton. Becton played 15 games, but had the second-highest blown block rate among right guards. Smaller cuts like Bradley Bozeman and Bud Dupree ($3 million each) are also likely.

Key pending free agents

Edge Khalil Mack Edge Odafe Oweh G Zion Johnson WR Keenan Allen DT Teair Tart

Mack was 18th among players with at least 200 pass-rush snaps in pressure rate. He dislocated his elbow in Week 2 and came back even better just five weeks later. Oweh’s acquisition was a win-win trade that sent Alohi Gilman to the Ravens. From his first game with the Chargers through the end of the regular season, he was 17th in pressure rate.

Johnson has an interesting free-agent case. His fifth-year option was declined after three disappointing seasons. His 2025 wasn’t dominant, but it was much improved and he remained the healthiest lineman throughout the season.

Positional needs

Interior offensive lineDefensive tackle Edge

Mekhi Becton and Bradley Bozeman are likely gone, which already opens up two spots along the offensive line. Then there’s the Zion Johnson decision. The Chargers have one of the league’s best tackle duos when healthy (when appears to be a big if), but haven’t had the interior to match.

The Chargers could use some bigger bodies along the interior of the defensive line, especially if Teair Tart is not re-signed. This defense was second in run stuff rate on running back carries and was 11th in yards allowed before contract per carry, but the depth that allowed that to happen might need to be replenished.

Edge is a similar spot with both Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh set to be free agents. Tuli Tuipulotu broke out, so there is one spot along the edge accounted for. He ranked ninth in pressure rate. However, as a team, the Chargers ranked only 16th in pressure rate for the season.

2026 NFL Draft picks

1st round, No. 22 pick 2nd round 3rd round 4th round 6th round

Good draft fit

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Chargers need size on the interior to help against the run, and McDonald can eat double teams and allow his teammates to make plays. That would also force offenses into more third-and-longs, where the Chargers can really get funky.

Betting nugget

A stingy defense and methodical offense led the Chargers to being one of the best under wagers this season, as Chargers games went 10-6-1 to the under in the regular season. — Ben Fawkes

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Source: “AOL Sports”