The Los Angeles Chargers will face a difficult schedule in 2026, headlined by a seven-game gauntlet surrounding their Week 7 bye.
But their first two matchups, against the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders, should grant them some time to get their feet wet. Their matchup against the Raiders will of course be a divisional matchup, and it will hold its own importance simply by virtue of that fact.
But their matchup against Arizona, which will be at home in Week 1, should already be a lay-up. The Cardinals could easily be the worst team in the NFL this season in spite of the additions they made across their offense.
Yet as the Cardinals continue to sort out a contract dispute with projected starting QB Jacoby Brissett, the matchup somehow keeps looking easier. Arizona is in disarray, and Los Angeles should be able to take full advantage in Week 1.
Jacoby Brissett's contract dispute leaves the Chargers with an even more positive outlook for Week 1
The Cardinals were already undergoing a hard reset this offseason. They moved on from former quarterback Kyler Murray, who will now compete for a starting job with the Minnesota Vikings. They added Jerimiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, however, signaling a semblance of faith in their offense's ability to quickly rebound.
Being realistic, though, this Arizona team has a lot of work to do to return to a competitive stature. Brissett's contract dispute will not be helpful in that endeavor.
Brissett had a decent season, all things considered, with the Cardinals in 2025. Across 14 games, he amassed 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. But Arizona went 1-11 with him at the helm, and he's now demanding to re-work the final year of his contract.
Brissett is currently owed a base salary of just $4.88 million in 2026. On Friday, ESPN reported that Brissett and the Cardinals are "significantly" far apart on any restructuring of his contract. He has not attended any of the offseason's voluntary OTAs or workout programs.
At this point, it's likely that Brissett sticks with Arizona. It's his best shot at a full starting job. But if the 10-year veteran ultimately demands his way out of the organization, the Cardinals will be left with Gardner Minshew II and rookie Carson Beck at quarterback.
For a team that's outlook is already decidedly negative, any uncertainty in the QB room can be utterly disastrous.
The Chargers were already heading into Week 1 as heavy favorites. The longer Brissett holds out, the further that gap should widen.
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