Like any team, the Los Angeles Chargers have their work cut out for them in training camp.
But with a pair of new coordinators in Mike McDaniel and Chris O'Leary, their primary challenge will be to identify the right mix of contributors to help implement their new scheme on both sides of the ball. For many, training camp represents a clean slate in that regard. While the coaching staff has almost certainly already identified a tentative hierarchy in many of the position groups across the roster, most players will have a chance to reset expectations and surprise the coaches during the month of August.
There are a few pieces, though, that might still be carrying some lingering momentum from the offseason program. In terms of their individual position and roster battles, those narratives could be worth keeping an eye on.
4 Chargers who may get a boost from their performance in the offseason program
1. Genesis Smith, S
Genesis Smith, whom the Chargers selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, has a real chance to take on a major snap share as a rookie, assuming he's able to keep pace with veteran Tony Jefferson and second-year defender RJ Mickens in training camp.
Smith has the ball-hawking abilities and the innate sense for coverage in the deeper parts of the field to make him an instantly tantalizing piece in Chris O'Leary's defensive scheme. Those traits popped during OTAs and minicamp as Smith posted a number of impressive plays that put him firmly on the public's radar.
If he's able to prove his tackling issues were overblown— he posted a missed-tackle rate of 19.8% during his final season at Arizona— he could cement himself as an important piece of the Chargers secondary this season.
2. Kayode Awosika, G
It's hard to determine anything about the offensive line before the pads come on in training camp. But with Trevor Penning limited by injury and rookie Jake Slaughter taking his acclimation to the guard spot slowly during the offseason program, Awosika got to see a healthy number of first-team reps.
The chances that Awosika ultimately wins the starting left guard job are slim, but there's a non-zero chance he surpasses both Penning and Slaughter during training camp. He started 11 games over the past four seasons with the Detroit Lions, and he's established a somewhat solid resumé as a backup guard during that span.
It would take a major development, but Awosika perhaps has more momentum on his side than many expected heading into training camp with the Chargers.
3. Tre' Harris, WR
Momentum has been on Harris' side essentially since the Chargers decided not to make any major additions to their receiving corps this offseason. While his role was relatively limited as a rookie— he saw just 43 targets across 17 games— he has the pure athleticism and the speed to be a real pass-catching threat both out of the slot and on the outside in his sophomore campaign.
Mike McDaniel and Jim Harbaugh have been consistent in their characterization of Harris as one of their 'elite' receivers. Even if Keenan Allen ultimately returns before the start of the season, Harris has a clear-cut path to carving out a major offensive role in 2026.
He still needs to prove himself as a YAC threat in McDaniel's scheme, but all signs are pointing to his ability to establish himself in training camp.
4. Nadame Tucker, EDGE
Tucker's case is more of a narrative-based one, since— like the offensive line— it's difficult to evaluate pass rushers before the pads come on. But relative to second-year defender Kyle Kennard and veteran Bud Dupree, Tucker certainly has momentum on his side.
A member of the Chargers' 2026 UDFA class, Tucker is coming off of a massively productive season with O'Leary at Western Michigan. Across 13 games, he posted 55 combined tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 21 tackles for loss.
He has the pure pass-rushing abilities to really pop in training camp. If the Chargers are able to overlook some of his deficits as a run defender in favor of the energy he brings to the room, Tucker has a real chance to carve out a spot on the 53-man roster— in large part as a result of the momentum he's carrying over from his final college campaign under O'Leary.
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