3 Chargers that have the opportunity of a lifetime waiting for them in training camp

Now that we have two days of training camp under our belt, certain pictures are starting to crystallize for the Los Angeles Chargers.

There's of course the lingering battle for the starting left guard spot. Kayode Awosika and Trevor Penning have taken first-team reps through the first two practices, while second-round selection Jake Slaughter has practiced as the second-team center behind Tyler Biadasz. In the safety room, new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary set the stage for what's sure to be the most intriguing storyline of training camp— with Genesis Smith, Tony Jefferson, and RJ Mickens battling for the third safety spot.

There are other, more peripheral battles that we won't see the wider picture of until later in camp. But as players fight to keep their roster spots and earn major roles in 2026, these will be narratives to keep an eye on over the month of August.

Here are three players who have the chance to seize a major opportunity during training camp.

3 Chargers with a path to a real role in training camp

1. Eric Rogers, CB

Los Angeles is known for maximizing its talent in the secondary, and that's why they were comfortable letting Benjamin St-Juste walk to the Green Bay Packers on a two-year, $10 million deal this offseason. As inconsistent as St-Juste could be, though, he took on a major rotational role in the Chargers' cornerback room last season, playing 37% of defensive snaps across 16 games in which he appeared.

O'Leary could just roll with Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, and Cam Hart. He made it clear that was the top tier of cornerbacks on the roster in his press availability on Thursday.

But Eric Rogers, who had a real chance to make the roster last season as a UDFA but was derailed by an injury, has the clearest path to claiming St-Juste's role in 2026. Deane Leonard has taken on an integral role with the special teams unit, and he'll likely stick on the roster as a result. Nikko Reed is currently the backup nickel behind Derwin James Jr., but his upside is limited as an outside corner as a result of his size.

If Rogers can impress like he did in camp last season— posting two interceptions and a forced fumble across two preseason appearances— he could have a real chance to carve out a role as a rotational cornerback in O'Leary's defense.

2. Nadame Tucker, EDGE

As productive as Tucker was last season in O'Leary's defense at Western Michigan— posting 55 combined tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 21 tackles for loss across 13 games— his path to the roster isn't entirely clear-cut.

Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Akheem Mesidor are the Chargers' primary edge rushers, and they'll take the bulk of the snaps at the position. It's unclear if Los Angeles will want to carry more than one addition piece beyond that trio.

Tucker will therefore need to compete with veteran defender Bud Dupree and second-year pass rusher Kyle Kennard to earn his roster spot. Dupree's production has waned through both his seasons in Los Angeles, but he's still a consistent run-defending presence off the edge. Kennard had a disappointing, injury-filled rookie campaign, but the Chargers may be hesitant to cut bait on their fourth-round pick from last year's Draft.

Tucker's familiarity with O'Leary might give him an advantage here. He simply needs to prove he can produce in training camp as a pure, energetic pass rusher.

3. Marlowe Wax, LB

The Chargers' inside linebacker room is an interesting one, to say the least. Daiyan Henley and Denzel Perryman are the defined starting duo in the middle of the defense. But Henley is entering the final season of his rookie contract, and Perryman won't continue to produce at this level for much longer.

Los Angeles needs to start developing the rest of the room in 2026. Troy Dye, who has taken on a role as the third linebacker for the Chargers, is also entering the final season of his contract. Junior Colson missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, and he'll be fighting to claim back his roster spot during the month of August. His upside in coverage could help his case. Even UDFA Lander Barton could be an appealing special teams addition.

But Wax has consistently impressed since the Chargers picked him up as a UDFA in last year's class, making the roster out of camp and becoming an integral piece for the special teams unit as a rookie. He's a solid, well-rounded run defender and tackler, and he could have a chance to play a real role in the defense in 2026 if he's able to beat out Colson and fellow special-teamer Del'Shawn Phillips.

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