The Los Angeles Chargers will face a difficult slate in 2026, with a gauntlet of eight matchups surrounding their bye that, before we even reach the true halfway point of the campaign, could come to define their season.
That makes their Week 1 and 2 matchups against the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders must-win affairs.
The good news is that neither team is truly poised to compete in 2026. If the Chargers offense is clicking immediately under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, both of those games should be lay-ups no matter who is starting at quarterback for the other team.
As of now, Jacoby Brissett is the projected starter for Arizona in Week 1, and rightfully so. Although the Cardinals didn't find much success last season, Brissett at least put forth some solid outings in their sub-par offensive structure.
But according to Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, their offseason turmoil (and Brissett's contract dispute) may have opened a door for rookie Carson Beck to earn the starting job sooner than expected. Although the change is still unlikely to come in Week 1, any major shift in the competiton could prove to be a gift for Los Angeles.
"The Cardinals don't provide an ideal setup, as a team with a new coaching staff trying to build a long-term foundation. Though ample opportunity is present. Also, plenty of young talent can be found around the quarterback position, with tight end Trey McBride, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and this year's third overall draft pick, running back Jeremiyah Love. If Beck shows he has a handle on the offense, there's no reason to keep the rookie out of the lineup since this season is an evaluation year in Arizona." Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report
Carson Beck could have a chance to carve out Week 1 starting duties— it would make the Chargers' matchup even easier
As mentioned above, Brissett was solid last season given his situation. Across 14 appearances, he posted 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdowns to eight interceptions. The infrastructure on both sides of the ball, though, simply wasn't there. The Cardinals won just one of the games that Brissett started.
This offseason, Brissett has entered a contract dispute with Arizona, demanding an increase in his on the final season of his two-year, $12.5 million deal. According to Sobleski, this has opened a door for both Beck and Gardner Minshew. Beck, who was once considered a candidate for the first overall pick, fell to the third round in the 2026 NFL Draft. He's apparently impressed so far through Arizona's offseason program, taking in the offense quickly and showing a level of commitment that's relatively rare among 'third-string' rookie quarterbacks.
Even with Brissett under center for the Cardinals in Week 1, the Chargers should be able to make quick work of a sub-par Arizona defense. Chris O'Leary, meanwhile should have a scheme dialed up that can stifle the Cardinals' trio of offensive weapons.
But it's easy to assume that the keys will be handed over to Beck sooner or later in 2026. The Cardinals could easily be the worst team in the league this season, and there's not a lot of risk in seeing what Beck can handle.
If Beck somehow wins the job in training camp, and the Cardinals enter Week 1 with a rookie quarterback at the helm, the matchup could suddenly become even more of a lock for Los Angeles. Given the difficulty of their schedule over the rest of the season, that would be a major gift.
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