The Los Angeles Chargers are poised for a major offensive turnaround in 2026.
They finished with 11 wins in 2025 in spite of the injuries they faced, but it was clear for a while that this team wasn't really close to Super Bowl contention. When they posted just three points in their Wild Card Round loss to the New England Patriots, those fears were confirmed.
But heading into a new season with a re-shaped roster and a new offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel, there's reason to hope that things might be different this time around. McDaniel's stated goal is to maximize Justin Herbert however possible, bringing easier completions onto his plate while offloading much of the heroics he was asked to undertake in Greg Roman's offense.
If it works, this new offensive structure could unlock an entirely different level to Herbert's game. Moe Moton at Bleacher Report agrees with this optimistic outlook, ranking Herbert second on his list of potential first-time MVPs in 2026, second only to Joe Burrow.
But Moton also highlights a key aspect of the Chargers' offense, the sneaky strength and well-roundedness of their passing corps, as the separating factor between him and other QBs vying for the award this season:
"Herbert is one spot above Caleb Williams because of his pass-catcher group with Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre' Harris at wide receiver, along with Oronde Gadsden at tight end. The Chargers are more equipped to field the top-ranked aerial attack. If the New England Patriots acquire A.J. Brown, this would be a closer call between pass-catching groups." Moe Moton, Bleacher Report
Chargers have the offensive infrastructure in place for Justin Herbert to seriously vie for MVP
The Chargers still lack an alpha receiver, and it's extremely unlikely they'll be willing to pull the trigger on a trade for one this offseason. But McDaniel is the type of coordinator that can elevate the component parts of an offense into something greater, and Los Angeles certainly has the pieces in place for him to accomplish that.
Quentin Johnston took strides last season in his explosiveness and downfield play-making abilities, even if the consistency wasn't there. With Los Angeles having picked up his fifth-year option, he now has some assurance in the organization's confidence in him. He should see the ball much more consistently over the course of the 2026 season.
Ladd McConkey's targets took a hit with the return of Keenan Allen in 2025, but it appears as though Allen's time with the team might have come to an end. McConkey, therefore, will be the team's lead receiver, and he'll be highly important in grabbing some of the YAC that a McDaniel passing offense calls for.
Both Tre' Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith showed promise as rookies, and they should be slated for larger roles this season. Harris has more upside as a blocker, but both have shown an ability to make contested catches and do the dirty work underneath when called upon.
Add in fourth-round selection Brenen Thompson, who should see plenty of snaps both on special teams and in the normal course of the offense, and breakout pass-catcher Oronde Gadsden II, and it's clear the Chargers have given Herbert a well-rounded group to work with in the aerial game.
While quarterbacks like Drake Maye and Caleb Williams may be the hotter topics right now, Herbert is still as elite as he's ever been. He'll now have a complete set of tools at his disposal.
If McDaniel is able to unlock this receiving corps through the run game, though, the Los Angeles offense could quickly become one of the most dangerous in the NFL. It could leave Herbert in prime position to vie for his first MVP award.
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