The Chargers’ offensive line is getting a lot of side-eye heading into 2026, but there’s a real case that group ends up looking much better than people expect.
Start with the obvious: health matters. If Los Angeles gets a reasonable run of it, the line has a chance to settle into something far sturdier than the version many are penciling in right now. That’s the basic read around the fanbase, and it’s not hard to see why.
Angelo Guinhawa of Gridiron Heroics made the same point, arguing that the unit could look very different as the season unfolds. As he put it:
"Despite the concerns, there is reason to believe the position can improve as the season progresses. Competition during training camp is expected to determine the starting combination, while the coaching staff continues working to develop chemistry across the offensive line. If the group adapts quickly and establishes consistency, the perceived weakness could become far less significant by the time the regular season reaches its midpoint.
The Chargers possess enough talent to compete with the AFC’s top contenders, but maximizing their offensive potential will require dependable play from the interior offensive line. If the guard position develops into a reliable unit, Los Angeles could remove one of the few remaining obstacles standing between the franchise and a legitimate push toward championship contention during the 2026 season."
Joe Alt’s return is a huge part of that optimism. Last season, the Chargers topped 20 points in seven of the nine games he played.
Without him, they hit that mark only four times in nine games, and that includes the playoff loss to the Patriots. The difference is hard to ignore: Los Angeles simply looked more stable and more productive with Alt on the field.
Add Rashawn Slater into the mix, and the outlook gets even brighter.
The interior still has to sort itself out, though. Cole Strange, Jake Slaugher, Trevor Penning and Kayode Awosika are in the mix for a starting guard job, and opinions on that group aren’t exactly unanimous. Even so, there’s belief that at least two of them can give the Chargers solid play inside, and maybe even offer more than what Mekhi Becton and Zion Johnson could have provided this season.
And there’s another layer here. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s offseason focus, along with a practical plan to get Justin Herbert the ball out faster, should ease some of the burden on the line as a whole. That kind of help can go a long way when a unit is still sorting out its best five.
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Chargers Camp Starts With A Tough Blow To Offensive Line Hope
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Rookies are set to report first, with the first practice coming July 29 and veterans arriving the day before, but the timing now puts a little more pressure on the group behind him. For a team that has spent plenty of time looking for answers along the line, losing a young depth option at the outset is not the kind of camp opening anyone wanted. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Fans May Not Love Keenan Allens Latest Team Link
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For the Saints, the fit makes obvious sense on paper. Chris Olave is the clear headliner, but the rest of the receiver room is young and light on experience, which is exactly the kind of situation where a proven route runner and steady veteran can matter. Allen is 34 now, but he still showed plenty last season with the Chargers, and if New Orleans keeps pressing forward, this is the kind of link that could get louder before it goes away. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Put Mike McDaniel On A Massive Prove It Stage
Mike McDaniel is getting a fresh start in Los Angeles, and it comes with a very familiar kind of pressure. After his run in Miami left people intrigued by the offense but unconvinced by the results, he now takes over as the Chargers offensive coordinator with Justin Herbert waiting for a system that can match his talent.
For McDaniel, this is more than a clean slate. The Chargers are giving him a chance to show his ideas still belong among the leagues best, and the fit with Herbert makes the assignment even more interesting. If this offense clicks, it could put McDaniel right back in the conversation as one of the NFLs top offensive minds. [Read more 🡒]