The Los Angeles Chargers have, somehow, had a relative disappointing start to the legal tampering period. Although they added some offensive line depth yesterday, their failure to sign either Odafe Oweh or Zion Johnson leaves them with more questions than answers as they approach the official start of free agency on March 11.
They still need to increase their depth on the defensive side of the ball. The loss of Benjamin St-Juste to the Green Bay Packers does not help that cause. They are also now in need of two starting guards, and it remains to be seen whether they'll be able to nab those pieces on the open market. To make matters worse, they still desperately need another weapon to help revitalize their offense under Mike McDaniel.
With the AFC West looking more competitive by the day, failing to complete even some of these tasks could leave the Chargers with a steep hill to climb as they fight their way toward Super Bowl contention in 2026.
The Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs are the obvious divisional threats to the Chargers, and both are well-poised to be competitive next season. But it was the Las Vegas Raiders, with the massive day they had at the opening of the legal tampering period, who sent a Tom Brady-sized message to Los Angeles.
The Raiders are attempting to make a major turnaround, and it could be major trouble for the Chargers if they succeed
For reference, let's run down the list of the players the Raiders agreed to terms with yesterday. Tyler Linderbaum joined on a three-year, $81 million deal. Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, Kwity Paye, and Eric Stokes also joined on three-year deals. Malcom Koonce agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract. On the offensive side of the ball, Matt Gay and Jalen Nailor came to terms on three-year contracts.
If that seems like a lot, that's because it is. Although none of it will be official until Wednesday, Las Vegas committed over $281 million to free agents yesterday alone. It's almost certain that Tom Brady, who's taken a larger role in Raiders leadership as of late, had a part to play in their aggressiveness so far this offseason.
But the Patriots-related parallels don't stop there. With a new quarterback in Fernando Mendoza coming in, they will attempt to make the same type of microwave, free agency-spurred turnaround that New England did last season. After re-assembling virtually their whole roster in free agency, the Patriots went from the worst record in the league to the Super Bowl in just a singular season.
The Raiders, by bringing in so much veteran talent, are attempting to make a similar leap. It's unlikely that it will work this season unless Mendoza reaches Drake Maye's level at an unprecedented rate. But Las Vegas has signed most of these players to three-year deals, giving them a definitive window within which Mendoza can develop into one of the league's top quarterbacks.
It's certain that the Chargers' two matchups against Raiders will be much tougher this season than they were in 2025. But if Las Vegas truly pulls of this turnaround in the next couple of seasons, it could mean major trouble for the entire AFC West.