Is it April yet? After a 0-3 start with three of the most backbreaking losses imaginable, many LA Chargers fans are already daydreaming about the 2027 NFL Draft instead of what the Bolts can do this season.
The season is certainly not over for the Chargers just yet. Other teams have started 0-3 and made a run to the playoffs; the Houston Texans just did it last year. But with a demanding schedule ahead, it's hard to like the Bolts' chances.
But alas, the train keeps moving. Here is everything you need to know about the Chargers as part of our mid-week Bolt Beat Bulletin.
- The two-minute warning
- Week 3 Chargers superlatives
- Must-read Chargers quotes
- Chargers stories from around the web
- This day in Chargers history
The two-minute warning
Your quick-hitting mid-week briefing on relevant Chargers news, injuries, and more.
Chargers rank fourth-to-last in supporting cast rankings after three weeks
It's not going great for the Chargers. The Bolts rank 29th in PFF's supporting cast rankings, which checks out with how the team has played thus far this season. The only teams worse than the Chargers are the Washington Commanders, Miami Dolphins, and Green Bay Packers.
The rankings are based on everything outside of the quarterback on offense.
Austin Ekeler and Mekhi Becton return to NFL rosters
Former Chargers Austin Ekeler and Mekhi Becton both found new roles in the NFL this week. Ekeler re-signed with the Washington Commanders after suffering a scary leg injury with the team last season. Becton signed with the Green Bay Packers, who are in the running for the most disappointing team of 2026 alongside the Bolts.
Becton had surgery on a torn labrum in the spring, hence why he is just now signing with a team. Becton apparently played not knowing he had a torn labrum last season, which may have impacted his performance with the Bolts.
Week 3 Chargers superlatives
Award | Winner |
|---|---|
MVP of the Week | Genesis Smith |
Unsung Hero of the Week | Keaton Mitchell |
Dud of the Week | Cole Strange |
Best PFF Grade | Genesis Smith (95.1) |
Worst PFF Grade | Rodney Shelley (25.1) |
Genesis Smith balled out in his third career NFL game. Smith came off a rough game against the Las Vegas Raiders, where there were miscommunications in the secondary and parlayed it to announce his arrival to the NFL. Smith picked off Josh Allen twice in the contest, once on a beautifully jumped route in the middle and the other on a highlight-reel catch deep in the secondary.
On the contrary, fellow defensive back Rodney Shelley struggled. The UDFA rookie was forced to play big snaps with Donte Jackson suffering a concussion and he was exposed at every turn. It's not even Shelley's fault; the Chargers shouldn't have a UDFA rookie as the fourth option at cornerback.
Keaton Mitchell was the best offensive weapon on the field on Sunday. He showed why the Chargers brought him in, with game-breaking speed that served as a safety valve for the offense. With woes at wide receiver, the Chargers may need to turn to Mitchell more often moving forward.
Predictably, Cole Strange had an awful game where he couldn't block and couldn't keep his name out of the referee's mouth. Poor reps and bad penalties plagued Strange's game, which is yet another reminder of how the Bolts cheaped out at guard this offseason.
Must-read Chargers quotes
Jim Harbaugh on Justin Herbert's decision making (h/t Kris Rhim, ESPN):
"Be better. Be better. And that drives Justin, that drives me, that drives his position coach, that drives Mike, the coordinator. I mean, drives us all."
This is the first time Jim Harbaugh as publicly criticized Justin Herbert in any capacity, and frankly, he deserves it. Justin Herbert's decision making has been poor this season and it's on the head coach to make sure Herbert improves where he is falling short.
That being said, this is pretty tame criticism. Harbaugh isn't putting all the blame on the quarterback as he mentions the entire process needing to be better. And he's right. Herbert has made bad decisions, but the Bolts haven't put him in great situations to make positive decisions.
Don't be outraged by this. This isn't like when Anthony Lynn called Herbert a backup for a reason.
Quentin Johnston after Sunday's loss (h/t Kris Rhim, ESPN):
"Obviously some stuff at the end of the game I feel like I could have did better. I think we all seen that, but sometimes it's just hard to take.
You work week in and week out so hard for a certain thing and it goes a different way. Obviously not the way that you wanted to, but it's not always going to, so I just got to keep my head up is kind of what he was telling me."
Quentin Johnston had yet another terrible drop against the Bills on a third and long late in the fourth quarter that would have picked up a first down. It's yet another example of Johnston dropping the ball in the biggest spots, letting his quarterback down in the process.
Did the Chargers lose because of Johnston's drop? Not at all. Sure, it would have picked up a first, but nothing was guaranteed after that. However, it did become a highly played clip after the game on social media to explain the Chargers' offensive woes.
It's not looking great for Johnston right now. Picking up his fifth-year option in 2027 is starting to look like a mistake.
Chargers stories from around the web
SI’s 2027 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 Includes Seven QBs in the First Round (Sports Illustrated)
Gilberto Manzano put together his first 2027 NFL Mock Draft for Sports Illustrated and has the Chargers taking wide receiver help in the first round. The Chargers take Indiana WR Charlie Becker with the No. 7 pick in this mock. Becker has been a fast riser already in the draft process with 370 yards and six touchdowns in four games.
Why Justin Herbert isn’t questioning Chargers’ leadership amid winless start (Los Angeles Times)
A great read here after the Chargers' painful loss to the Bills. Herbert isn't questioning the leadership of the Chargers after three bad losses so fans shouldn't either. That... or maybe Herbert needs to be more critical of those running the ship.
3 players the Chargers must trade after treacherous start to 2026 (Bolt Beat)
Finally, we took a look at three players the Chargers could look to get draft capital out of as the 2026 season goes sideways. With the toughest schedule in the NFL remaining, the Chargers may be closer to trading away assets than they are winning a football game. And no, Justin Herbert is not included in the list.
This day in Chargers history
September 30, 1973: Johnny Unitas surpasses 40,000 passing yards
Johnny Unitas playing for the Chargers is a trivia fact that will earn you some points at your local bar. The all-time great quarterback is known for his 17 years with the Baltimore Colts, not for his one season with the San Diego Chargers.
A 40-year-old Unitas only lasted four games as the Chargers' starter until he was eventually replaced by fellow all-time great, Dan Fouts. The third of those four games was played on September 30 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and saw Unitas pass a previously untouched milestone.
Unitas surpassed 40,000 passing yards with a 215-yard showing against the Bengals. It's less impressive now that 26 players have crossed the historic threshold, but it was a big deal in 1973. At the time of his retirement, Unitas was 7,000 passing yards ahead of second-placeFran Tarkenton.
Add us as a preferred source on Google