The Los Angeles Chargers have their roster mostly set for 2026.
There will be some intriguing positional battles in camp, especially along the offensive line and in the edge-rusher room. But for the most part, Los Angeles has done an excellent job of replenishing their depth and filling out their roster this offseason.
In terms of 2026, they're in good shape. But over the course of the offseason, they've neglected to address a need that's lingering on the horizon— cornerback.
With the departure of Benjamin St-Juste, the Chargers still have a hole in their secondary. It remains to be seen whether they'll bring in an external free agent to fill that need. Thankfully, they've largely maintained continuity in that room in anticipation of a new defensive scheme under Chris O'Leary.
But if you look ahead to next offseason, Los Angeles' organizational philosophy makes it pretty clear that veteran cornerback Donte Jackson will be allowed to walk on the open market. The Chargers will likely be targeting a cornerback early in the 2027 Draft, and Jackson's continued and steady production could make him a prime candidate for a pay raise even as he approaches the age of 32 next offseason.
Donte Jackson could be in line for a pay raise next offseason, leaving his Chargers future in question
Gennaro Filice, in his recent piece on every AFC team's most underappreciated player in 2026, gave Jackson his flowers.
"A seasoned veteran who’s made 106 starts in eight NFL campaigns, Jackson might have just enjoyed his best season yet, logging four interceptions and 12 pass breakups (both team highs) while Pro Football Focus credited him with a sparkling 58.5 passer rating against. That’s prime production at a premium position, making last offseason’s two-year, $13 million deal look like highway robbery for the Chargers." Gennaro Filice, NFL.com
Under Jesse Minter, Los Angeles was able to routinely maximize its talent in the secondary, getting excellent value out of relatively cheap contracts. Jackson has been one of these success stories. After a string of semi-productive seasons with the Carolina Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jackson quickly became the veteran presence the Chargers needed to complement the developing skill-sets of Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart.
As Filice mentioned, his two-year, $13 million deal now seems like a bit of a steal.
At this point, Still is just 23. Hart is 25. They are the future of the Chargers' cornerback room.
If Jackson can replicate his 2025 campaign, meanwhile, he could be a highly attractive target when he enters the open market next offseason.
Los Angeles has shown a preference to allow highly-paid cornerbacks to walk, instead cycling in young talent or discarded veterans to piece together their secondary. It's a strategy that's worked to this point. If Jackson heads into next offseason with the potential for a major pay raise, the Chargers are more likely to let him walk than not, adding a cornerback in the Draft and depending on continued strides from Still and Hart to solidify their cornerback room.
Even at his age, Jackson has a chance to move from under-appreciated to justly-compensated next offseason. But it likely won't be with the Chargers if that's the case.
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