“CHARGERS–2026-WHAT I SEE-WHAT I THINK”

by | Sep 11, 2026 |

My thoughts have never changed about the Chargers, regardless of what city they are in.

General Manager Joe Hortiz has put together a very athletic-talented roster.

Jim Harbaugh’s track record everywhere shows he wins.

Justin Herbert is a dynamic-strong armed-athletic quarterback.

And so the Bolts open the season, likely to go (2-0) out of the gate, beating up on the bottom feeding Arizona Cardinals and the forever failure of a Raiders franchise.

But the Chargers are not a complete team yet, despite the GM, the Coach, the QB.

Until they prove they can hold up on the offensive front, starting with the rookie center Jake Slaughter, and the two question marks at offensive guard, I have questions.  Slaughter played well thru all of preseason, but he seems really undersized to take a pounding at the pivot spot.  Cole Strange was fired by New England, let go by Miami, and he is a starter here?  And the other guard, was let go by Detroit and the Lions have a myriad of problems.

The second question upfront has nothing to do with talent, but with health.  LT-Rashawn Slater is coming off a major knee injury, and has been in shutdown mode in limited practices in camp.  How long does he hold up, is there a flareup, can he stay on the field?  See me at mid season.

The wide receiver group is skilled from Ladd McConkey to the emerging Tre Harris, to the promise of KeAndre Lambert Smith.  The wildcard is there a breakout-trustworthy season ever coming from tthe huge upside talents of Quentin Johnston?  Or will we forever be plagued by alternating weekends of big Sundays, bad drops, disappearing acts?

The tight end mix will include blocker Charley Kolar, veteran pass catcher David Njoku, and the emerging Orande Gadsen.

Herbert has lived thru 105-quarterback sacks, plenty of pressures, and an organization that has failed him upfront beyond the two stud OTs, Joe Alt and Slater.

The arrival of a mad scientist playcaller in Miami’s Mike McDaniel, with his New York City thick telephone directory playbook, will be fun to watch.  Get the ball out of there quick.  Create mismatches.  Put in motion packages and dictate tempo to the defense.  He did it with the Dolphins.  He should create the same set of stat packages for Herbert.

The run game will be physical, will catch balls, but keeping Omani Hampton and Keaton Mitchell healthy will be huge.

On defense, there is Derwin James, a bunch of cover corners who can run.  A load of linebackers from the explosive Tuli Tuiapolutu to the highly credentialed Khalil Mack and his experience.  

The defensive front is bigger but will have to prove they can stonewall the other guys run game, but Teair Tart, a veteran like Dalvin Tomlinson, and the fast developing Jamaree Caldwell could get it done, because the back eight truckload of athletes will be there to make plays.

The kicking game with Cam Dicker and JK Scott have great history.

But there are always challenges beyond health.

Can Herbert & Company survive the schedule.  Can they survive weeks 3-thru-10?

..at Buffalo..at Seattle..vs Denver..at Kansas City..at Rams..vs Houston..at Baltimore?

Late fall has them going to Tampa Bay, hosting New England, and finishing vs the Chiefs and Broncos.

Enormous challenge ahead.

What kind of season will it be.  I say (11-6).  And then another challenge.  Herbert has to win his first playoff game ever. 

I will maintain this, my thoughts about the Chargers have never changed.

I hope Justin Herbert goes (17-0).

I hope Dean Spanos goes (0-17)

That’s me being me as longtime Voice of the Chargers.

Believe in the QB’s talents.

Never forgive the owner for what he did to San Diego fans and 55-years of loyalty.

Enjoy the season. 

 ‘Show Me Your Lightning Bolt’.

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