If you’re checking the TV guide or your sportsbook app to see who do the Chargers play today, I’ve got some tough news. The Los Angeles Chargers are not playing today, January 16, 2026. Their season actually ended just a few days ago in a way that’s honestly still a bit of a gut punch for the fanbase.
The Bolts took a trip to Foxborough on Sunday, January 11, to face the New England Patriots in the AFC Wild Card round. It wasn't the shootout everyone hoped for. Instead, it was a 16-3 defensive slog that saw Justin Herbert under constant fire. Because of that loss, the Chargers are officially out of the 2025-26 NFL playoffs. While the rest of the league prepares for the Divisional Round starting tomorrow, the guys in El Segundo are already packing their lockers and looking toward next year.
The Wild Card Heartbreak in New England
People were pretty high on the Chargers going into that game. They finished the regular season with a solid 11-6 record, good enough for second in the AFC West. But the Patriots' defense, playing in the freezing January air at Gillette Stadium, just didn't let them breathe.
Justin Herbert, who usually looks like a "warrior" (Jim Harbaugh’s words, not mine), was sacked six times. He was hit 11 times in total. When your franchise quarterback is spending that much time staring at the turf, you aren't going to win many playoff games. The offense only managed 207 total yards. It was ugly. It was frustrating. Basically, it was the kind of performance that leads to immediate, drastic changes.
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Why the Chargers Schedule is Currently Empty
Since the Chargers lost their Wild Card matchup, they joined the Jaguars, Steelers, Eagles, Panthers, and Packers on the list of teams sent home early. The NFL Divisional Round doesn't actually start until tomorrow, Saturday, January 17.
Here is what the actual playoff schedule looks like for the next 48 hours while the Chargers watch from their couches:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
It's sort of wild to think that the Chargers and Chiefs both struggled this year in different ways—the Chiefs actually finished 6-11 and missed the postseason entirely—but the Broncos are sitting pretty with a first-round bye. The power balance in the AFC West has shifted fast.
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Huge Changes Coming to the Coaching Staff
The reason there’s so much noise around the team right now, despite them not playing, is the fallout from that Patriots loss. On Tuesday, January 13, Jim Harbaugh made the call to fire offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
Roman had been Harbaugh’s go-to guy for a long time, dating back to their 49ers days and their time at Michigan. But that "smash-mouth" offense just didn't evolve. General Manager Joe Hortiz compared the team to a "nice house" that needs a serious renovation. They want an offense that can actually protect Herbert and take advantage ofJoe Alt and the rest of the line they've spent so much draft capital on.
There’s also a chance defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could be out the door, though not because he was fired. He’s currently one of the hottest head-coaching candidates in the league. If he leaves, Harbaugh is going to have to rebuild almost his entire inner circle after just two seasons in LA.
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Looking Forward: The 2026 Opponents
Even though we don't have a calendar with dates and times yet—that doesn't happen until May—we already know who the Chargers will face in the 2026 regular season. Since they finished second in the division, their schedule is set based on the NFL's rotation.
Next year, they’ll have home games against the Broncos, Raiders, and Chiefs (obviously), but they also host the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers. That 49ers game at SoFi is going to be a massive ticket. On the road, they’ll be traveling to face teams in the AFC East and NFC West. It’s not an easy road back to the playoffs, but with Herbert under center, they’re always going to be in the conversation.
What to do if you’re a Chargers fan today
Since there's no game to watch today, the best way to stay in the loop is to track the offensive coordinator search. The team has made it clear they are looking for a "wide variety" of candidates. They aren't just looking for another Harbaugh disciple; they want someone who can make this offense modern.
- Watch the Divisional Games: Keep an eye on the Texans vs. Patriots game on Sunday. Seeing how Houston’s young offense handles the defense that shut down the Chargers might give you a hint of what LA is missing.
- Draft Prep: The Chargers are locked into the middle of the first round for the 2026 NFL Draft. Start looking at interior defensive linemen or perhaps another playmaker at receiver.
- Check the Health Updates: Use this off-time to see how the recovery is going for the starting tackles who missed the end of the season.
The Bolts might be idle today, but the work to make sure they aren't idle this time next year has already started.
To stay updated on the coaching search, follow the official team announcements or check the latest league-wide coaching trackers as interviews begin this week.