Week 1 brings a reset for both the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers, but the two teams enter Sunday’s mid-afternoon matchup on very different footing. Los Angeles is trying to turn long-running promise into something more tangible, while Arizona is again staring at a rebuild under new head coach Mike LaFleur.
For the Chargers, the biggest storyline is the debut of a new offense under Mike McDaniel, who replaces Greg Roman as offensive coordinator. Justin Herbert has already been a steady presence at quarterback, but the hope in Los Angeles is that this setup finally gives him a system built to move fast and keep him upright.
The Chargers spent the offseason working to fix an offensive line that allowed the second-most sacks in the league last year, and the approach up front is already drawing notice. Pro Bowler Joe Alt said the way they’ve handled the run game has "been much different."
That line will matter immediately. McDaniel is known for a pace-and-space style that leans into quick ball movement and a stronger run game, and the Chargers are hoping Herbert can thrive with more help around him.
The team did add pieces to the offensive line, but CBS Sports gave Los Angeles a C- for its free-agent work, saying the club didn’t make the most of its cap space. Center Tyler Biadasz was one of the notable additions, though a major knee injury sent him to injured reserve.
That leaves rookie Jake Slaughter next in line at center, while the good news is that tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are both healthy after missing time last season.
Arizona comes in with a very different kind of attention. CBS Sports has the Cardinals finishing last in a strong division and even pegged them as a candidate for the worst record in the league, though Miami might have something to say about that.
The Cardinals went 3-14 last season, finishing with the worst record in the NFC and tied for the worst mark in the NFL. They held the third overall pick in this year’s draft and used it on a running back, a choice that drew plenty of skepticism because of the number of holes on the roster.
The Cardinals also made sweeping changes on the sideline, but kept defensive coordinator Nick Rallis despite the struggles on that side of the ball in 2025. That defense had a rough preseason and finished last year giving up the ninth-most passing yards (4,128), the fifth-most passing touchdowns (31), the eighth-most rushing yards (2,158) and the fifth-most rushing touchdowns (19). It also allowed 30 or more points in two preseason games and in four of its last five regular-season games, which is not the kind of backdrop you want when facing a Chargers offense trying to play fast.
Arizona’s quarterback situation is just as unsettled. The Cardinals released former first overall pick Kyler Murray this offseason, signed veteran Gardner Minshew and drafted Carson Beck in the third round.
Jacoby Brissett won the QB1 job and got a deal that raised his 2026 base salary by nearly $5 million. His first year in Arizona was rough, with just one win in 12 starts, and that leaves little doubt that the leash is short.
If things go sideways early, a quarterback change could come quickly, and the possibility of a bigger move by the trade deadline is still on the table.
The matchup sets up with Los Angeles as the clearer side. The expectation is that Herbert and the Chargers’ new-look offense will post numbers, with Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston positioned to be heavily involved. CBS Sports’ experts are aligned there too, all picking the Chargers straight up.
In Other News...
Chargers Rookie Jake Slaughter Faces An Early Test That Could Matter Fast
Jake Slaughter has already turned heads in training camp and the preseason, and the Chargers have taken notice of how quickly the rookie center has settled into his role. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel praised the way Slaughter handles pressure and the mental side of playing center, where the job is as much about directing the offensive line as it is about winning individual reps.
Now comes the first real measuring stick. Slaughter is lined up to make his first regular-season start against the Cardinals, and the early read on him will matter fast for a Chargers offense that needs stability in the middle. How he handles the first wave of adversity could say plenty about how ready he is for the long haul. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Face An Early Oronde Gadsden Question Fans Will Watch Closely
The Chargers first unofficial depth chart ahead of the season opener offered an early glimpse at how the tight end room may be sorted, with Charlie Kolar and David Njoku listed ahead of Oronde Gadsden. For a team trying to settle roles before Week 1, it is the kind of detail that does not settle anything by itself, but it does hint at where the early pecking order stands.
Gadsden is still in position to matter, even if he is not near the top of the list right now. The bigger question for the Chargers is how often they find ways to use him in specific offensive packages, because an unofficial depth chart can point in a direction without locking in the season-long plan. [Read more 🡒]
Jim Harbaugh Faces A Chargers Pattern Fans Know Too Well
Jim Harbaugh is heading into his third season with the Chargers, and that alone gives this year a different feel in Los Angeles. Recent Chargers coaches have often run into trouble at this stage, which is part of what makes the current moment feel familiar even with a new leadership group in place. General manager Joe Hortiz has pointed to Harbaughs deeper NFL background as a reason to believe this version of the staff is built differently than the ones that came before it.
The Chargers are also making a notable change on offense by bringing in Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator, with the hope of getting more out of Justin Herbert. For a team that has seen too many promising starts drift into familiar third-year problems, the pressure is less about proving the talent is there and more about showing this regime can sustain it. Harbaughs track record gives the Chargers a sturdier baseline than theyve had in the past, but the real test is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]