Chargers Reload: With Mike McDaniel Calling the Shots, L.A. Eyes a Deep Playoff Run
The Los Angeles Chargers are heading into 2026 with something they haven’t had in a while: real momentum - and not just the kind that lives in offseason optimism. After a disappointing playoff exit at the hands of the New England Patriots, the Bolts have hit the reset button in a big way, bringing in one of the league’s most creative offensive minds in Mike McDaniel to revamp an offense that sputtered when it mattered most.
Let’s be honest: last year’s Chargers had the talent, but not the execution. Injuries along the offensive line exposed the unit’s depth, and even with Justin Herbert under center, the offense never quite found its rhythm.
That’s where McDaniel comes in - a coach known for turning timing, motion, and misdirection into mismatches. He’s not just a play-caller; he’s a schemer who knows how to get the most out of his quarterbacks and skill players.
The return of starting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater is no small thing either. That duo gives the Chargers bookend protection that most teams would envy.
With a healthy line and McDaniel designing the offense, Herbert could be in for his most efficient season yet. The Chargers have also positioned themselves well in terms of cap space, giving them flexibility to shore up any remaining gaps on the roster.
And it’s not just fans who are buying in.
Two prominent NFL analysts are already planting their flags in Chargers territory. Aaron Schatz is calling for an all-L.A.
Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium - Rams vs. Chargers - citing the Chargers’ offensive upgrades and the return of key players as major reasons for his bold pick.
Seth Walder, meanwhile, is backing the Bolts to go all the way, taking them over the Packers in the big game. He acknowledges the annual offseason hype around the Chargers but believes this time is different - and it’s hard to argue when you look at the pieces in place.
Even former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum is bullish on the Chargers’ chances - maybe not for a Super Bowl run just yet, but for something that’s been just as elusive in recent years: winning the AFC West. Tannenbaum sees the combination of McDaniel’s fresh energy, a healthy offensive line, and a maturing Justin Herbert as the formula to finally leapfrog the Kansas City Chiefs and take control of the division.
Of course, predictions don’t win games. But for a franchise that’s been stuck in the cycle of “almost” and “what if,” this offseason feels different.
There’s a plan. There’s a vision.
And for once, there’s a real path forward.
Chargers fans have every reason to be excited. The team has the talent, the leadership, and now, the offensive architect to make some serious noise. If things fall into place, 2026 could be the year the Bolts finally break through - not just into the playoffs, but into the conversation as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.