The Los Angeles Chargers are deep into training camp, and the big question hanging over the receiver room is whether they’ll make another late-summer splash like they did a year ago with Keenan Allen.
Right now, the answer sounds like no.
“Don't expect another late-offseason veteran wide receiver addition…” reported Jeremy Fowler, Ben Solak, and Dan Graziano of ESPN. “They feel great about what rookie receiver Brenen Thompson has shown in camp and the improvements they've seen from Quentin Johnston, Tre' Harris and Derius Davis. They also still have Ladd McConkey, whom (Mike) McDaniel plans to make liberal use of as a do-everything receiver.”
That’s a pretty clear signal that the Chargers are comfortable with what they already have on hand. Allen, who is still a free agent, returned to the team last year in a move that made noise around the league. This time, though, the front office doesn’t appear to be hunting for another veteran addition at the position.
The offense is under a fresh set of eyes after the Chargers hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. The hope is simple: get more life out of a unit that went stale late last season and then fell apart in the playoffs against the New England Patriots.
For now, the receiver depth chart looks like it has enough pieces to keep the team from chasing help elsewhere. ESPN’s reporting points to Thompson’s camp work, Johnston’s growth, and the presence of Harris, Davis, and McConkey as reasons the Chargers are staying put.
Of course, that patience will be tested quickly if the offense opens slowly. A restless fan base won’t take long to start asking whether another move is needed.
The Chargers open the 2026 season on September 13 at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
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The timing matters because the Chargers are trying to settle roles before the season gets too far along, and Harbaugh made clear there is still a process to follow before anything is finalized. With the rest of the AFC West also dealing with its own roster business, from Denvers cap maneuvering to updates elsewhere in the division, this is one of those camp decisions that could end up carrying real weight once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]