One win can change the whole conversation. Right now, though, the Chargers are sitting at 0-2 after losses to Arizona and Las Vegas, and that’s been enough to set off every gloomy storyline imaginable.
That means questions about Jim Harbaugh’s message, criticism of Joe Hortiz’s roster-building approach, and even talk from NFL insiders about Justin Herbert trade scenarios. It also means something nobody wanted to seriously entertain this early: the idea that the Chargers could be in range for a top-10 pick.
It’s still early, and nobody is ready to predict a freefall all the way to 0-7 or anything like that. These are still the Chargers, a team that has shown in past years it can hang with good opponents even when it’s missing major pieces. Herbert’s offense, as the source of the source puts it, should eventually find its footing.
But the warning signs are real. Starting 0-2 is usually a bad place to be, and the injury situation is already getting worse. That’s part of why ESPN’s Ben Solak started floating the top-10 draft-pick idea.
“The fumbles bring up something else,” Solak wrote. “The Chargers are barely playing professional football.
"Chargering" once meant heartbreaking losses in end-of-game collapses. These Chargers start the game collapsing.”
He didn’t stop there. “Through two weeks, the Chargers look as if they've never practiced together. “
And then: “I can't name 10 teams worse than the Chargers (0-2) through two weeks. I'm not even sure if I can name five.”
There isn’t much room to argue with that kind of verdict. The offense looks stuck, the move to Chris O’Leary as defensive coordinator has been underwhelming, and Harbaugh has already admitted the team handled training camp and the preseason too lightly while trying to avoid injuries - injuries that showed up anyway.
Still, a top-10 pick would not be some neat fix. It would likely mean starting over again with Herbert and a new coaching staff. And the front office’s recent draft history hasn’t exactly inspired confidence, with a first-round running back, a first-round pick used on an old prospect because the team didn’t want to pay a free agent (Odafe Oweh), and a second-round center when a guard was the real need.
So yes, the draft chatter is already out there. But as with most things in the NFL, the cleanest answer is the simplest one: win some games. Easy to say, hard to do.
In Other News...
Chargers Get A Needed Break As Week 3 Offensive Questions Grow
The Chargers got a little bit of relief this week as their offense continues to sort itself out heading into Week 3. Tight end Charlie Kolar will not go on injured reserve after surgery, which at least keeps the door open for his return later in the season, even though he will miss the upcoming game. It is the kind of update that does not solve anything immediately, but it does matter for a team trying to keep its pass-catching depth intact while the bigger questions around the offense linger.
Jim Harbaugh also confirmed that the Chargers are bringing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling up to the active roster from the practice squad, giving them another veteran option to work with right away. For a group looking for answers and a little more stability, the move adds some insulation in the short term, even if the larger issue is still how quickly this offense can find its footing. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Defense Is Already Making A Veteran's Role A Flashpoint
The Chargers rough start has put every part of the roster under a microscope, and the defense is no exception. After two losses to open the 2026 season, frustration around the building and among fans has only grown, with the coaching staff already drawing fresh scrutiny. Within that tension, the cornerback rotation has become one of the clearest signs that no role is guaranteed anymore.
Chris OLearys decision to bench Donte Jackson in Week 2 underscored how quickly things can shift for a veteran who was a strong part of last seasons defense. Jacksons snaps have already been trimmed as the Chargers try to sort out their rotation, and OLeary has made the standard plain: playing time goes to the best performers. For a team still searching for its footing, that makes Jacksons place in the mix one of the more interesting questions on the defense right now. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Herbert Pushes Back As Chargers Leadership Debate Heats Up
Justin Herbert took questions at his midweek press conference ahead of Week 3 with the Chargers already trying to steady a rough start. After two home losses to open the 2026 season, the conversation around the team has shifted quickly from results to accountability, and Herbert made it clear he does not buy the idea that he has been quiet when it comes to leadership.
Herbert said the focus has to be on moving forward and cleaning up the mistakes that have piled up early. With a demanding schedule still ahead, the Chargers do not have much room for drift, and the scrutiny around their quarterbacks voice is only going to grow if the losing continues. [Read more 🡒]