It feels like the Los Angeles Chargers have been knocking on the door of an AFC Championship and Super Bowl appearance in recent years, but the football gods have not given them clearance. And although it was an interesting offseason for Joe Hortiz, the Chargers are undeniably even closer now.
Justin Herbert, despite his mysterious, albeit nothing-burger of an absence from OTAs, is better set up to thrive this year under Mike McDaniel than at any point in his NFL career. But just as the hope of the team grows and the outlook seems to be much better, expectations rise, too, and at a linear rate.
This feels like as good a year as any to make a serious run at a Lombardi Trophy, though, and Herbert will certainly be under a microscope for the entirety of the Chargers' quest. Former running back Melvin Gordon is the first to tell fans, however, that he believes Herbert and Co. reach the pinnacle.
Melvin Gordon stakes his claim on Justin Herbert bringing Los Angeles Chargers a Super Bowl
During a Tuesday appearance on Good Morning Football, Gordon was asked about what makes Herbert special as a quarterback and how those traits can help Los Angeles take things to another level. Gordon praised Herbert at length and made the obligatory excuses for him.
"I think he got everything, the stars just need to align," Gordon said. "I think our problem is just being healthy, when it comes down to the line. That's always been our problem, since I've played. We get in the bigger games, and we lose our star players that helped us get there. And that's hard to overcome. (Herbert) didn't have an O-line last year; the O-line was banged up. And that's hard. But I think he has all the intangibles. He has everything you need to do what he needs to do."
But then Gordon took things a step further by essentially writing a Super Bowl-sized check that Herbert will have to cash. At least, Chargers fans hope that he will finally do so during the 2026 NFL season after years of getting close.
"I know he's going to get it done. He's going to get us a ring," Gordon said. "He's going to bring one to the organization. I fully believe that. I know it, I just know it."
Gordon's points about health getting in the way are certainly valid; it is actually a miracle that Los Angeles fared as well as it did without their pair of elite starting tackles, Khalil Mack for a stretch and Najee Harris, among others. The Chargers couldn't find the antidote for the injury bug in 2025.
However, it is a new day for Jim Harbaugh's squad in 2026, and again, the team is better set up for success than at any other point in his tenure. The loss of Jesse Minter will sting for some time, but McDaniel is a bigger upgrade over Greg Roman than Chris O'Leary is a downgrade from Minter.
As Gordon said, the stars need to align alongside Herbert. And they finally seem to be heading into this season. A Super Bowl is a lofty goal; the highest there is. But the Chargers can't sell themselves short or gun for anything less. It's time for Herbert to cash in and prove Gordon right.
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