Chargers’ Defense Was Dominant Down the Stretch - Can They Level Up in 2026?
If you’re looking for a reason the Chargers surged into the playoffs in 2025, start with the defense. After a rocky start, the unit flipped a switch midseason and became one of the most complete, disruptive groups in the league. Now, with a new defensive coordinator stepping in, the question isn’t whether the Chargers can play elite defense - it’s whether they can do it from Week 1 and sustain it all the way through January.
A Second-Half Surge That Changed Everything
Following their Week 7 bye, the Chargers’ defense didn’t just improve - they transformed. From that point on, they didn’t allow more than 20 points in a single game.
That kind of consistency is rare in today’s NFL, and it wasn’t just about keeping scores low. The Chargers finished top five in several key categories: third-down defense, red-zone scoring defense, yards allowed, and first downs surrendered.
That’s a comprehensive defensive profile - one that doesn’t just bend without breaking, but often doesn’t bend at all.
And it wasn’t just about numbers. It was about impact.
This defense wasn’t passive - it dictated games. In the playoffs, they held the high-powered, Super Bowl-bound Patriots to just 16 points.
That’s not a fluke - that’s a statement.
Division Games? Handled.
The Chargers went 5-1 in the AFC West, with their only loss coming in Week 18 against the Broncos - a game where several key starters were resting. That’s dominance, plain and simple.
One of the season’s signature moments came courtesy of Derwin James Jr., who sealed a win over the Chiefs with a game-clinching interception that officially shut the door on Kansas City’s playoff hopes. James was a force all season, earning All-Pro honors and leading a unit that brought both swagger and substance.
He wasn’t alone - Del’Shawn Phillips joined him on the All-Pro list for his special teams work, racking up a franchise-record 24 special-teams tackles. That kind of production on the third phase of the game gave the Chargers an edge in field position all year.
Meanwhile, Tony Jefferson and Donte Jackson were opportunistic on the back end, combining for eight interceptions and giving quarterbacks plenty to think about when they dropped back.
Tuipulotu Breaks Out
If there was a breakout star on this defense, it was Tuli Tuipulotu. The second-year edge rusher was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, racking up 13 sacks - good for top six in the league - and 20 tackles for loss, which ranked fifth overall. He earned a well-deserved Pro Bowl selection and looked every bit like a foundational piece for the future.
What made Tuipulotu’s season even more impressive was how he thrived in a scheme that didn’t rely heavily on blitzing. Under Jesse Minter, the Chargers blitzed on just 21.4% of plays - one of the lowest rates in the league.
Instead, they leaned on stunts and disguised coverages, particularly zone looks (they played zone on 80.7% of snaps), to confuse quarterbacks and force mistakes. The result?
A defense that kept everything in front of them and rarely gave up the big play.
What’s Next Under New Leadership?
With Minter off to Baltimore, the new defensive coordinator inherits a unit that’s already built to win. The pieces are there - from playmakers in the secondary to a young star on the edge to elite contributors on special teams.
But the next step is about consistency. Can this group bring that same energy and execution from Week 1 through Week 18?
One area to watch closely: run defense. It was a sore spot early in the year and still showed some cracks even during the late-season surge.
That’s why locking up defensive tackle Teair Tart was such a priority. Tart graded out at 74.4 in run defense, per Pro Football Focus - building on a strong 2024 campaign - and gives the Chargers an anchor in the trenches.
If they can add more support around him, especially up the middle, this front could take another leap.
The Bottom Line
The Chargers don’t need to reinvent the wheel on defense - they just need to keep it rolling. With a new coordinator stepping into a loaded room, the challenge will be maintaining the identity that made them dangerous in the second half of 2025 while finding ways to elevate even further. If they can shore up the run defense and continue getting impact plays from their stars, this group won’t just be good - they’ll be a problem for the rest of the league.