The Los Angeles Chargers' biggest problems, at the moment, certainly don't lie at the tight end position, and the injuries that both Charlie Kolar and David Njoku have suffered this season certainly haven't helped the outlook there.
But even considering that fact, it's been disappointing to see the lack of developmental strides second-year tight end Oronde Gadsden II has taken in 2026. We knew, even when he was operating as a dynamic pass catcher last season in Greg Roman's scheme, that there were issues in his game. His blocking abiltities are simply non-existent, and there have been far too many mental mistakes to consider him, for now, as a potential TE1 of the future for Los Angeles.
The thought was, though, that bringing in Kolar and Njoku would give Gadsden the space he needs to continue to develop. That simply hasn't happened yet, and the continued mistakes (even in the passing game) have only become more frustrating as the season's gone on.
It's certainly not time yet to give up on Gadsden. But with Njoku almost certainly gone next offseason and a clear lack of upside from Kolar as a pass catcher, it's time to start thinking about re-addressing that position this offseason. Unless the Chargers see some major development from Gadsden, they'll need to add another pass-catching tight end to complete this room.
The Chargers need to re-address the tight end room this offseason if they want to complete this offense
Again, injuries certainly haven't helped things here. But let's review the performance of each of the Chargers' three tight ends since the start of 2026.
Kolar has looked as strong as expected as an in-line blocker when he's been healthy, but he's posted just nine receptions on 13 targets through four games. Part of the gamble on Kolar as a TE1 was based on his ability to be unlocked as a semi-consistent pass catcher, and although he's showed some strengths on slow crossing routes, the upside simply doesn't seem to be there.
Njoku has played in just two games, posting six receptions for 67 yards and seeing just 33% of the snaps in those outings.
Gadsden's performance, meanwhile, has been discouraging. He's taken just six pass-blocking snaps all season, a natural development given the deficits in his game, but he's been ineffective in the run game as well, posting a grade of just 40.4 per Pro Football Focus's model while receiving relatively consistent snaps there. There's also been numerous mental errors in the passing game, and his production—just 12 receptions for 103 yards through six games—hasn't come close to rivaling what he put up last season even on relatively similar volume.
Kolar is on a three-year deal, and Gadsden still has two years left past this one on his rookie contract. Neither player is going anywhere—at least not right now. But it doesn't seem like Njoku will be back with this team whether his shot at a rebound season offensively comes to fruition or not, and Los Angeles, in that case, needs to add a truly versatile tight end to complement their two remaining pieces at the position.
The free agent market, which will likely be headlined by Colby Parkinson next offseason, doesn't provide many options. Perhaps a third or fourth-round pick can be spent on the position instead, especially considering the sheer number of capable blocking tight ends that seem to be pouring into these rookie classes.
It probably won't take much, and especially not a splashy free agent signing, to properly complete this room with Kolar and Gadsden still in the fold. But as of now, it's an investment that certainly needs to be made by this front office.
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