The Chargers’ most intriguing breakout candidate for next season might not be one of the flashy names that usually grab the headlines after free agency. Instead, the buzz is building around defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell.
That’s a little different from the usual script. When a team makes additions in free agency, the easy story is often about the new faces who might explode in a new setting. But in Los Angeles, the move that could matter most for Caldwell is the arrival of Dalvin Tomlinson.
Tomlinson signed a one-year deal worth $6.2 million, a move that looked designed to cover the losses of Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones. On the surface, it was a straightforward depth addition. But the fit could end up doing more than just stabilizing the rotation.
With Tomlinson expected to handle a heavy load of run-stopping snaps, Caldwell may get more chances to attack the quarterback and create disruption in the backfield. ESPN’s Ben Solak pointed to that exact possibility when he named Caldwell the Chargers’ top breakout candidate for next season.
“The Chargers added Dalvin Tomlinson, a quintessential run-stuffing nose tackle, in free agency,” Solak wrote. “It's easy to infer they'll give Caldwell a few more pass-rush opportunities besides Tomlinson, and he has the requisite quickness and flexibility to be a quick penetration player who creates cleanup opportunities for other rushers.”
That’s a notable call, especially with so much of the attention around the Chargers usually landing on the offensive side. Still, Caldwell has earned the spotlight. The 2025 third-round pick played 487 defensive snaps last season, starting five games, and finished with one sack and three pressures.
The Chargers clearly liked what they saw, and there’s a sense that his role could grow in 2026. That comes at an important time, too, with the team moving to Chris O’Leary as defensive coordinator this offseason. If that transition goes smoothly and Caldwell takes another step, it would give the Chargers a useful breakout on defense while the offense continues to move forward as well.
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Chargers Defense Could Look Very Different Under Chris O'Leary
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The biggest question now is how much of that approach carries over to Los Angeles, especially with a linebacker group that looks deep enough to force real competition when camp opens. OLearys track record suggests more pressure could come from the second level and from the slot, which would put players like Derwin James Jr. in the middle of the conversation as the Chargers sort out how they want to attack in 2026. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Defense Faces A Real Test Under Chris OLeary
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The bigger question is how smoothly he can turn that foundation into week-to-week production once the games start forcing quick decisions. The Chargers are not asking him to rebuild from scratch, but they are asking him to keep the defense sharp in the moments that matter most, and that is where his first real test begins. [Read more 🡒]