Under new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary, the Los Angeles Chargers are depending on the overwhelming continuity of their defense to help keep things afloat in 2026.
Even if their offense takes major strides under Mike McDaniel, the identity of this Chargers team is on the defensive side of the ball. Their two-high shell, zone approach found a way to stifle opposing offenses for the past two seasons under the brilliant play-calling of Jesse Minter. Now that Minter has departed for the Baltimore Ravens, the onus will be upon O'Leary to continue to maximize the talent Los Angeles has available on that side of the ball.
It will be one of the most pressing storylines of the new season for the Chargers.
That being said, it's not like O'Leary is working from scratch. He has a swathe of veterans at his disposal to help him implement his new expressions of Minter's scheme, and he has the play-calling and schematic experience to make it work.
But as a player like Donte Jackson enters his contract year, the circumstances require him to answer some of his doubters. Can he perform at a top level— and help the Chargers through this defensive transition— without Minter at the helm?
Donte Jackson is a defensive cornerstone for the Chargers heading into 2026
Under Minter, the Chargers were known for their ability to routinely elevate the talent they had in the secondary. Beyond Derwin James Jr., it's difficult to argue that any piece in either the cornerback or safeties room for the Chargers is a bona fide star. Yet the unit as a whole was able to put up top numbers each of the past two seasons, landing fresh opportunities in free agency for pieces like Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis.
Jackson, though, is not a peripheral contributor for this team. He's their most trusted outside corner, serving as the veteran leader for Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still.
Last season, he posted four interceptions, seven PBUs, and 19 combined tackles across all 17 games. After a relatively inconsistent year with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, it was exactly the campaign he needed to revive his career.
Now, with St-Juste gone and a new defensive coordinator at the helm, Jackson will need to prove himself all over again. The Chargers' defensive structure is dependent upon him doing so.
No matter what, though, Los Angeles has already gotten excellent value out of the two-year, $13 million deal Jackson signed last offseason.
If he's able to keep up this level of production in 2026, he could very well be in line for a pay raise next even as he enters his age-32 campaign. This season, therefore, will likely represent Jackson's last shot to prove his value on the open market. If that results in another contract with Los Angeles, that would be the best outcome.
A lot is hinging on Jackson's performance in 2026. That gives him every opportunity to deliver a career-defining statement in a season that's as pivotal to Los Angeles as it is to the veteran defender.
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