The Chargers are heading toward the season with one of their young defensive backs embracing the big picture. Tarheeb Still said he’s not chasing personal milestones in 2026 - only the kind of year that ends with a trophy.
“I just want to win a Super Bowl,” Still said on Tuesday, via the team website. “Whatever that takes, whatever that looks like, whatever my role is, I’m all for it,” Still added. “I have no individual goals [in 2026].”
Still said he finished camp on a strong note and feels ready to keep stacking good work as the games get real.
“I feel like I closed camp strong, keep building, keep getting more comfortable and getting reps in,” Still added. “I’m just really excited and really confident.
Not only excited for myself but for the team defense-wise, offense-wise, the whole team. Just excited so we can finally have a real game out there against an opponent and putting it on tape.”
Up front, the Chargers are adjusting after Tyler Biadasz suffered an ACL injury during a joint practice, with Jake Slaughter now lined up to start at center. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel sees the fit.
“I think he’s uniquely structured for that sort of assignment,” McDaniel said, via Omar Navarro of the team’s site.
Joe Alt, who dealt with a high-ankle sprain last year and a knee injury in 2024, said he understands what Biadasz is going through and wants to help however he can.
“Obviously, I went through that last year, so just being there for him,” Alt said. “I sadly understand the situation and am fresh off of that, so just being there for anything he needs and boost him any way I can.”
McDaniel said Biadasz has already focused on turning the setback into something constructive, and he’s confident the lineman will bounce back.
“It’s tough … when you’re invested in players and you see short-term adversity, it’s rough,” McDaniel said. “I think Tyler, talking to him yesterday, he’s gotten his vision set forth on how to make sure that you take whatever the circumstances in the short term that seem like it’s a down and turn it into something positive. His focus is in the appropriate spot and I have no doubt that he’s going to come back better than ever when that day comes.”
In Las Vegas, Raiders general manager John Spytek praised Fernando Mendoza’s approach, describing the quarterback as a player who has stayed steady and put in the work throughout the pre-draft process.
“He’s a tireless worker. He loves football.
He loves his teammates. He’s energetic on the field.
He’s self-critical. He’s self-aware.
He’s very accurate,” Spytek said, via Pro Football Talk. “His time is coming, but he’s got to earn it every day, and he knows that.
I think we’re all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback.”
Spytek also made it clear Mendoza won’t be handed the job, even as the list of recent first-overall quarterbacks includes several who did not begin as immediate starters.
“ Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Patrick Mahomes, Jayden Daniels. Like you said, there’s success stories and failures in both ways,” Spytek added.
“We’re just trying to build the best team we can and play the guys that are most ready to play, and have a constant competition in every room, not just the quarterback room, but every room. The expectation always will be that the best person, the person that’s earned it, the person that can do their job for the team, will be the one that plays.”
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Stukes has been working with the first-team defense, and that alone suggests the Raiders are serious about finding ways to use him early. His value may come from versatility, with the coaching staff expected to move him around the scheme rather than limit him to one clean role, which is often how young defenders earn trust in Las Vegas. If he keeps trending in that direction, the Raiders may have found the kind of support piece Crosby needs to keep the defense from leaning too hard on him. [Read more 🡒]
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For a roster that has already shown a need to keep shoring up depth, the move says as much about roster management as it does about Luter himself. Assistant general manager Brian Stark pointed to his experience and special teams ability as the main reasons for the pickup, which makes this less about a headline-grabbing splash and more about a practical bet on a player who can help in multiple phases while learning the defense. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Rebuild Could Force Multiple Rookies Into Starting Jobs
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Among the newcomers, defensive back Treydan Stukes could be asked to step right into the safety picture, while offensive lineman Zuhn is positioned to compete for meaningful work up front. Cornerback McCoy is a little different case, since the Raiders are expected to ease him along after his time away from football, but the overall trend is clear: this is a roster where rookies may not just be supplementing the plan, they may be helping define it. [Read more 🡒]