The Los Angeles Chargers have made their vision clear this offseason, both with their hiring of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator and the personnel they've brought on to help fill out the roster.
While the overarching goal of the new scheme is to maximize the talents of Justin Herbert, that comes with a whole new modus operandi in Los Angeles under McDaniel. The goal, now, is to have ample, mobile blocking talent, complemented by the speed and explosive-play ability of the Chargers' offensive playmakers.
No offseason acquisition exemplifies this mindset better than Charlie Kolar, who signed a three-year, $24.3 million deal with the Chargers at the outset of free agency. At the time, it was seen as an overpay by many. Kolar didn't have a major pass-catching presence with the Baltimore Ravens, and pure blocking tight ends often aren't valued that highly across the league.
But those with a deeper view on roster construction understand the importance of the move. Aaron Schatz, for example, named Kolar as his non-starter to watch for the Chargers in ESPN's recent rankings of every team's starting lineup heading into 2026.
"Kolar had only 10 catches for 142 receiving yards and two touchdowns in Baltimore last season, but the Chargers didn't bring him in to be a receiver. Los Angeles handed him a three-year, $24.3 million contract to block, part of the leaguewide rise in the value of blocking tight ends. You'll see a lot of Kolar in 12 and 13 personnel, as the Ravens averaged 5.7 yards per carry with Kolar on the field last season and 4.7 yards per carry without him." Aaron Schatz, ESPN
Kolar could come to play a major role for the Los Angeles offense in 2026, and if he plays a part in the Chargers' offensive resurgence, he could be at the forefront of a shifting tide in the perception of tight ends across the NFL.
Charlie Kolar's role with the Chargers will be a storyline to watch for 2026
As Schatz mentions, Kolar's role with Baltimore was relatively limited. Although he saw an increase in snap share in 2025, he still was on the field for just 40% of the offensive snaps for which he was available. Per Sumer Sports, the Ravens played in 12 personnel at the third-highest rate in the league in 2025, but they played in 13 personnel on just 5.34% of their total offensive snaps.
With the presence of Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, Kolar was seen simply as a blocking tight end during his time with Baltimore. With Oronde Gadsden II and David Njoku in the fold, his role will likely take on much of the same complexion in Los Angeles.
There's one difference, though— Mike McDaniel.
Although McDaniel didn't really have the personnel to use multiple tight ends frequently with the Miami Dolphins, the general expectation is that his usage of 12 and 13 personnel will increase heavily with the Chargers.
Kolar won't suddenly become a major pass-catching threat with Los Angeles, even though that remains a tool in his skill-set. Those responsibilities will belong to Gadsden and Njoku. But so much of McDaniel's scheme is dependent upon his ability to leverage the outside-zone run game, and Kolar's run-blocking portfolio should line him up for a major role in the ground game.
Kolar isn't the only blocking tight end that's emerged as a major factor in recent seasons. Jackson Hawes had a major rookie campaign with the Buffalo Bills, and teams across the league loaded up on potential bodies to use in 12 and 13-personnel looks in the middle rounds of this year's Draft.
But the entire league will be keeping an eye on what happens with the Chargers offense this year. Kolar has a chance to be an integral piece in their resurgence. If he's able to quickly justify his $8.1 million average annual value, he could play a major part in the shifting perceptions of tight end contracts across the NFL.
In that context, he's certainly a non-starter to watch for Los Angeles this season.
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