The dust hasn't even settled on the 2025 season and the Los Angeles Chargers are already tearing things down to the studs. Honestly, if you watched that 16-3 Wild Card loss to the Patriots, you knew a reckoning was coming. Jim Harbaugh doesn't do "stagnant." By January 13, 2026, the hammer dropped: Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman and O-line coach Mike Devlin were out.
It's a weird time to be looking at the la chargers depth chart. On one hand, you’ve got a roster that managed 11 wins. On the other, you have an offense that looked like it was stuck in a mud pit during the biggest games of the year.
The Justin Herbert Paradox and a Missing Playbook
Justin Herbert is still the guy. Let’s get that out of the way. He finished the 2025 regular season with 3,727 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, which sounds fine until you realize the offense disappeared in the postseason. He’s 27 now. In his prime. But he spent much of the year running for his life or checking down because the scheme just wasn't clicking.
Behind him, the depth chart got a lot more interesting when Joe Hortiz took a flyer on Trey Lance. Lance is basically the ultimate "what if" project at this point. He didn’t see much meaningful action in '25, but with Roman gone, the backup QB role might actually involve some creative packages if the new OC wants to utilize that mobility.
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The "Sonic" Backfield Needs a New Engine
The run game was supposed to be the identity of this team. Jim Harbaugh loves a "smashmouth" approach, and they certainly invested in it.
- Omarion Hampton: The rookie was a beast until that ankle injury messed up his rhythm. He’s clearly the future RB1.
- Kimani Vidal: He stepped up big time when Hampton went down. He’s got that low center of gravity that makes him a nightmare to tackle in the red zone.
- Najee Harris: Bringing him in was a total power move, but he’s hitting that age where you wonder how many carries are left in the tank.
The problem? The offensive line was a revolving door. You can't run the ball when your Pro Bowl tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, are watching from the sidelines in jerseys and jeans.
Receivers: Flashy but Inconsistent
Ladd McConkey took a weird step back in 2025. There's no other way to say it. After an 1,100-yard rookie campaign, he dipped to 789 yards. The targets were there, but the efficiency died. It felt like defenses figured out how to jam him at the line, and the scheme didn't do much to help him find space.
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Then you have Quentin Johnston. He’s still the most polarizing player on the roster. One week he looks like a true X-receiver, the next he’s dropping a routine slant. With Mike Williams back on a one-year deal in '25, there was some veteran stability, but the youth movement of Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith is where the real intrigue lies for 2026.
The Tight End "Hybrid" Experiment
Oronde Gadsden II is a name you need to watch. He’s basically a jumbo wide receiver playing tight end. In 2025, he broke school records at Syracuse and then immediately started carving out a role in LA. He’s the "matchup nightmare" everyone talks about but rarely actually sees. Pairing him with a traditional blocker like Will Dissly gives the Chargers a lot of flexibility, assuming the new OC knows how to use a "big slot" weapon.
Minter’s Defense: The Bright Spot
While the offense was busy tripping over its own feet, Jesse Minter’s defense actually held things together. Daiyan Henley has turned into a legitimate star at linebacker, leading the team with 54 tackles.
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The edge rotation is where the real heat is:
- Khalil Mack: The ageless wonder. He’s still pondering his future, but the man is still a wrecking ball.
- Tuli Tuipulotu: Led the team with 13 sacks in '25. He’s officially arrived.
- Odafe Oweh: A savvy trade acquisition that paid off immediately with 7.5 sacks.
The secondary is a bit more of a gamble. Donte Jackson and Tony Jefferson both snagged four picks each, but they aren't getting any younger. Derwin James is still the heart of the unit, but the Chargers are increasingly relying on young guys like Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still to hold down the perimeter.
What’s Next for the Chargers?
The la chargers depth chart is going to look radically different by the time training camp 2026 rolls around. The priority is 100% finding an Offensive Coordinator who doesn't just want to "run the ball" but wants to actually unlock Justin Herbert's arm again.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason:
- Fix the Training Room: The "injury bug" isn't an excuse anymore; it's a trend. Investigating the strength and conditioning approach for the O-line is mandatory.
- OC Search: Keep an eye on names that come from the modern "Shanahan/McVay" tree. Harbaugh needs someone who can blend his physical style with modern passing concepts.
- Draft Strategy: Even with the talent they have, you can never have enough interior defensive line depth. Jamaree Caldwell was a good start, but they need more "beef" to stop the run in the AFC West.
The talent is there. The coaching on defense is there. Now, it's just about making sure the most expensive player on the field isn't the one being held back by the playbook.