With the 2026 season approaching, expectations are high for many players on the Chargers. Fans believe the Super Bowl window should be wide open, especially with Mike McDaniel coming in to fix what went wrong under Greg Roman.
The roster still has some gaps, but nothing that should prevent this team from competing right away. With that in mind, here are three Chargers who have the most to lose in 2026.
These Chargers have the most to lose in 2026:
Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert undoubtedly has the most to gain and the most to lose this season. That alone shows how polarizing he can be.
From a talent standpoint, very few quarterbacks can match him at his best. But heading into 2026, Herbert is running out of excuses. Bradley Bozeman is gone. Mike McDaniel is about as strong of a replacement for Greg Roman as the Chargers could have asked for. The weapons are young, and while a true superstar may still be missing, there is enough talent to succeed.
If Herbert cannot get it done this season, the spotlight shifts squarely onto him. That doesn’t mean the Chargers would consider moving on, but the questions would become much louder. At some point, production has to match the ability, especially with expectations this high.
Derius Davis
Davis was a great story early on, but injuries seemed to take away some of the speed that made him dangerous. Seeing him get tracked down by linebackers or special teams tight ends became far too common in 2025. While he may still be the frontrunner for the return job in 2026, that position is far from secure.
The Chargers know they need competition at return specialist. Brenen Thompson wasn’t used as a returner in college, but his speed alone makes him a potential option. If he shows even a little ability in that role, the upside could quickly push Davis out. If that happens, Davis’ future in the league could become uncertain, especially if the speed that defined his game doesn’t fully return.
Derwin James
Chris O’Leary took the defensive coordinator role knowing Derwin James would be the centerpiece of the defense. At the same time, James is approaching another contract decision. On paper, it lines up perfectly. If O’Leary maximizes his role and James produces at a high level, a new deal should follow.
But if James doesn’t meet expectations, things could get complicated. He’s getting older, and without an extension in place, a down year would hurt his leverage. One of the league’s top safeties could suddenly find himself dealing with contract uncertainty both during and after the season. With the Chargers always mindful of cap flexibility, it wouldn’t be surprising if the front office looks toward cheaper options if James doesn’t perform at his usual level.
The Chargers are heading into 2026 with real excitement, and ideally, none of these players will have anything to worry about. But if things don’t go as planned, these are the three players who stand to lose the most this season.
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