In one sense, there's certainly a healthy amount of pressure on the Los Angeles Chargers in 2026.
While the team has found success in their first two years under Jim Harbaugh, posting a combined 22 wins and reaching the postseason in both seasons, they have not truly looked like Super Bowl contenders at any point during that span. Their 2024 season ended with a 12-32 defeat at the hands of the Houston Texans, and they posted only three points in this year's Wild Card Round matchup with the New England Patriots.
While the defense was dominant under Jesse Minter, the offense consistently fell flat under Greg Roman. Los Angeles must now attempt to get over that hump with a new coordinator on either side of the ball.
If they can't, there will certainly be shouts, at least on a national stage, about Justin Herbert's much-debated ability to find playoff success at the NFL level and Harbaugh's acumen as head coach. But these are inevitable, and largely unfounded, critiques. What truly matters in 2026 is taking strides forward as an organization towards true Super Bowl contention.
Brad Gagnon at Bleacher Report, in his recent piece outlining every team's championship window heading into 2026, labeled the Chargers' current window as four to six years. Given Herbert's current contract and the team's ability to nourish young talent, this seems like a more than fair assessment.
Here's what he had to say:
"If Justin Herbert doesn't take a big step forward in the next couple of seasons, the Chargers could potentially determine they've hit a wall and make big changes. But for now, the talent and coaching are there and the potential window is lengthy." Brad Gagnon, Bleacher Report
While Los Angeles may seem to be operating with a sense of urgency this season, therefore, it's important to remember where the actual target lies.
Chargers don't need to win the Super Bowl this year, but they need to take serious strides in that direction
The Los Angeles Rams' trade for Myles Garrett was likely a league-altering transaction. But it also provides a poignant reminder of what it truly means to go all-in. The Rams have the reigning MVP at quarterback, the 38-year-old Matthew Stafford, and they're building their roster to capitalize on that fact before the end of his career.
The Chargers, meanwhile, are nowhere close to that precipice. Herbert may be entering Year 7, but he's still just 28 years old. Los Angeles likely has at least four more seasons with Herbert at the peak of his game, and he's on a relatively reasonable contract during that span.
They also have young talent across the roster they can continue to develop, including (but not limited to) Omarion Hampton, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Oronde Gadsden II, R.J. Mickens, Akheem Mesidor, and Daiyan Henley.
Expectations are, admittedly, sky-high with Mike McDaniel coming into the fold. Given McDaniel's pedigree and the struggles the Chargers have seen on offense over the past couple seasons, that's perfectly reasonable. But even if McDaniel is able to pull off a remarkable offensive turnaround, Los Angeles will still face an increasingly difficult AFC landscape this season. A Super Bowl run, needless to say, is far from a guarantee.
What's at stake for Los Angeles this season, therefore, is not an immediate championship run— although that's certainly a possibility. They must continue to take strides forward as an organization, and their two new coordinators must find success in their roles.
Even a singular playoff win would be a step in the right direction. So would a consistently viable offensive attack over the course of an entire season.
It's not Super-Bowl-or-bust for the Chargers in 2026. But if Los Angeles going to capitalize on its current championship window, those steps need to start now.
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