AFC West
Los Angeles Chargers
AI Summary
The Chargers enter Year 3 under Jim Harbaugh looking to build on back-to-back playoff berths, having gone 11-6 in 2025 before falling 16-3 to the eventual AFC champion Patriots in the Wild Card round. Los Angeles fired OC Greg Roman and hired former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to remake the offense around Justin Herbert, and both starting tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, are back healthy after injury-shortened 2025 seasons. That optimism took a hit when new free-agent center Tyler Biadasz suffered a serious knee injury in an August joint practice with the 49ers, and the backfield lost 2025 free-agent addition Najee Harris (recovering from a torn Achilles) to the Giants, leaving second-year runner Omarion Hampton as the clear lead back. With S Derwin James freshly extended and Khalil Mack back for a 13th season, the defense remains the roster's floor even as the offense adjusts to a new scheme.
Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026
Real Efficiency KPIs
Offensive EPA/play
-0.024
#25 of 32
Defensive EPA/play allowed
-0.083
#7 of 32
2025 regular season, 1080 offensive / 955 defensive plays. Source: nflverse play-by-play (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season. This is a prior-season baseline — this team's 2026 numbers will replace it once real Week 1 plays exist.
Key Players (2025 production)
Leading Passer
Justin Herbert · QB
340/512, 26 TD, 13 INT
+16.1 passing EPA
Leading Rusher
Kimani Vidal · RB
155 car, 643 yds, 3 TD
-14.1 rushing EPA
Leading Receiver
Keenan Allen · WR
81/122, 777 yds, 22% target share
+34.9 receiving EPA
Leading Pass Rusher
Tuli Tuipulotu · LB
13 sacks, 23 QB hits
Leading Tackler
Daiyan Henley · LB
52 solo, 49 assist
Leading Interceptor
Tony Jefferson · S
4 INT
Source: nflverse player stats (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season; team attribution updated for documented 2026 offseason trades. Prior-season baseline, not 2026 in-season stats.
Key Storylines
- New OC Mike McDaniel (former Dolphins head coach) reshaping the offense around Justin Herbert after Greg Roman's firing
- Starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt both healthy entering camp after injury-shortened 2025 seasons
- Free-agent addition C Tyler Biadasz suffered a serious knee injury after being carted off an Aug. 18 joint practice with the 49ers
- RB Najee Harris left in free agency (signed with the Giants); second-year back Omarion Hampton is now the clear RB1
- WR Mike Williams retired at the start of camp; edge Tuli Tuipulotu (13 sacks, 2025 Pro Bowl) still working toward a new contract in his final rookie-deal year
Injury Report
Tyler Biadasz · C
Out (indefinite)
Carted off with a left leg/knee injury during an Aug. 18 joint practice with the 49ers; reported to include structural knee damage.
Rashawn Slater · OT
Healthy
Cleared for camp after missing all of 2025 with a torn patellar tendon suffered in early August of last year.