As the Los Angeles Chargers introduce two new coordinators, they certainly have their work cut out for them through training camp and the preseason.
Mike McDaniel received a host of weapons to help integrate his West Coast-style offensive scheme, and he'll need to sort out a hierarchy in virtually every position group during the month of August. Chris O'Leary's job is more clear-cut given the continuity on the defensive side of the ball, but he still has battles to decide on in the safety and linebacker rooms.
As we enter the third year of the Jim Harbaugh era, the urgency is on. Here are four predictions ahead of what will be a pivotal month of August for the Chargers.
4 bold predictions for training camp and the preseason
1. EDGE Nadame Tucker makes the roster, displacing Bud Dupree
Although first-round selection Akheem Mesidor will join Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack in the Chargers' primary edge rusher trio, O'Leary still needs to sort out the depth behind them. Last season, even after the addition of Odafe Oweh, what Bud Dupree and Kyle Kennard provided was less than inspiring.
Perhaps there are only four roster spots to be allocated to the outside linebackers, in which case Kennard or Dupree likely has that locked up. But if Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz are willing to extend a fifth, Tucker is a strong candidate to displace even a veteran like Dupree.
Tucker posted a massive season at Western Michigan under O'Leary in 2025, amassing 14.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 55 combined tackles. He needs to add nuance to his pass-rushing back, but he has the speed, power, and pure athleticism to be an immediate threat off the edge. Dupree, meanwhile, has regressed in consecutive years in Los Angeles, and the Chargers would take on a dead cap of just $1.25 million if they were to release him this offseason.
2. Keenan Allen does not return, signing with the New Orleans Saints
Allen's status is one of the major questions facing the Chargers heading into training camp. The door has been opened for his return by Hortiz, but his fit in McDaniel's scheme is less than clear. Los Angeles has carved out a clear path for a bigger role for second-year receiver Tre' Harris, and both KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Brenen Thompson will be competing for snaps.
If they want to bring back Allen as a veteran leader in a minimal role, that's totally fair. But even at this point in his career, Allen could play a major role for a team attempting to establish a hierarchy among their young receiving corps. The New Orleans Saints, with former Chargers OC Kellen Moore calling plays and a wide receiver room led by Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson, could benefit majorly from Allen's presence.
Don't count a return for Allen out, but it's far from a guarantee at this point.
3. Charlie Kolar cements himself as the TE1 in McDaniel's scheme
Another one of McDaniel's biggest challenges in the month of August will be sorting out a hierarchy for the tight end room. The Chargers let both Will Dissly and Tucker Fisk walk in free agency, upgrading to a duo of Charlie Kolar and David Njoku alongside emergent pass catcher Oronde Gadsden II.
Gadsden certainly has the explosive-play ability to see a major snap share even in spite of his deficits as a blocker. But there's a reason Los Angeles doled out a three-year, $24.3 million contract to Kolar this offseason.
His blocking abilities will make him an integral piece in McDaniel's outside zone-centered run game, and Kolar also has some untapped potential as a pass catcher that wasn't fully revealed during his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens. If there's going to be an every-down tight end for the Chargers this season, it's fair to expect Kolar to take on that mantle.
4. Tre' Harris looks better than even his biggest fans imagined
Harris had a quiet rookie season after being selected in the second round by Los Angeles in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he steadily worked his way onto the field with his blocking abilities and willingness to do the dirty work in Greg Roman's scheme.
McDaniel clearly envisions more for him in his sophomore campaign, though, and Harris has a chance to take on a major role as a secondary X receiver behind Quentin Johnston. McConkey will be the primary option in McDaniel's YAC-centric air attack. But if Harris can continue to improve his nuance as a route-runner, his pure speed and strength at the catch point could help endear him even further to McDaniel.
McDaniel has grouped Harris in among the team's 'elite' receivers throughout this offseason, and Harris has a real chance to earn that title in training camp.
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