The 2026 season looks like it could be an exciting one for the Los Angeles Chargers. From major coaching changes to new personnel, there’s a level of buzz around this team that feels different from the last two years.
Yes, the excitement after Jim Harbaugh’s hiring was real, but fans understood the team wasn’t quite ready to contend right away. This year feels different. Chargers fans have every reason to believe this team can be a legitimate part of the Super Bowl conversation.
Here are three players with the most to gain in 2026.
3 Chargers with the most to gain in 2026:
Justin Herbert
This one might come as a surprise. Justin Herbert is already viewed as a star and is beloved by Chargers fans. In many eyes, he can do no wrong. So what does he really have to gain?
Quite a lot, actually. If Herbert can fully take control of Mike McDaniel’s offense, lead the Chargers to an AFC West title, and secure a top seed in the AFC, he can firmly put himself into the top-three quarterback conversation.
At that point, there would be very little left to question about his place among the league’s elite. On top of that, Herbert enters 2026 with legitimate MVP aspirations and a chance to deliver the best season of his career.
Tyler Biadasz
Replacing Bradley Bozeman gives Tyler Biadasz a major opportunity. Bozeman became a focal point for much of the frustration surrounding the Chargers’ offensive struggles over the last two seasons. Because of that, the bar for Biadasz is fairly clear.
If he can step in and provide even average play at center, and that leads to Herbert staying upright more consistently, he will quickly become one of the more appreciated additions on the roster. In a situation where expectations are tied directly to performance, Biadasz has a chance to completely flip the narrative at the position.
Oronde Gadsden II
The Chargers didn’t make any major additions at receiving tight end, and that says a lot. Could they still bring in a veteran like Darren Waller? It’s possible. But as things stand, the lack of movement points to real belief in Oronde Gadsden.
That belief gives him a clear opportunity. Gadsden enters 2026 with a chance to establish himself as the team’s long-term answer at tight end. For a fifth-round pick, that’s a significant leap. If he builds on what was a promising rookie season, he could quickly become a key piece of the offense and a fan favorite in the process.
The Chargers need all three of these players to take a step forward if they want to be true Super Bowl contenders. Each has something meaningful to gain this season, whether it’s cementing elite status, reshaping perception, or locking down a long-term role. If they deliver, it won’t just benefit them individually; it could define the Chargers’ 2026 season.
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