The Los Angeles Chargers suffered a major loss this offseason with Jesse Minter's departure. Although Minter's promotion to head coach of the Baltimore Ravens was more than well-deserved, the Chargers are now left attempting to replicate his schematic ingenuity in 2026.
Newly-hired defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary will have some large shoes to fill. O'Leary returns to the Chargers after serving as defensive coordinator at Western Michigan last season, having last worked for the organization in 2024 as a safeties coach.
He should be well-poised to replicate Minter's scheme (at least in the secondary). But he will need some help from the Chargers' roster.
According to Pro Football Focus's Dalton Wasserman, that help will come relatively quickly. In his list of breakout candidates for every team in 2026, Wasserman made the case for safety R.J. Mickens to take a major second-year leap.
If Mickens can continue to develop at a rapid pace, he could be the X-Factor that helps Los Angeles maintain their level of defensive dominance.
R.J. Mickens is on star watch headed into 2026
Nobody expects much out of sixth-round rookies. But Mickens, from the start of his rookie season, made it clear he could be an immediate contributor. The Chargers responded by dealing Alohi Gilman to the Ravens, freeing up space for Mickens to earn more snaps.
He justified that move immediately, amassing 29 combined tackles and two interceptions across the 12 games he played in. Wasserman believes that Mickens could take on an even larger role in 2026.
"His fundamentally sound play style fit in perfectly with the Chargers’ secondary, and he reeled in two interceptions to boot. Veteran Tony Jefferson will be a free agent, so Mickens could assume an expanded role in 2026."Dalton Wasserman
It remains to be seen whether the Chargers will bring back Jefferson, but Mickens will have the chance to earn a starting spot no matter the outcome. Jefferson has proved himself to be a physical and exciting player, but Mickens is a sound tackler and a reliable back.
Minter's zone-heavy scheme was dependent upon the tackling and lane-reading abilities of his defensive backs. One would imagine that O'Leary, with some minor tweaks, will implement largely the same strategy.
If the Chargers' pass rush takes a serious hit with the departure of either Odafe Oweh or Khalil Mack, this will only become more vital to Los Angeles's ability to limit opposing offenses.
Mickens, therefore, has the opportunity for a breakout season, and another leap for him could be absolutely massive for the Chargers.