The Chargers open training camp Wednesday with renewed hopes, heightened expectations, a revamped offensive line with additional depth, new offensive and defensive coordinators and a sense that anything is possible in Jim Harbaugh’s third season as coach.
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There also was a feeling among the veterans during spring workouts that back-to-back 11-win seasons and AFC wild-card appearances in Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz’s first two seasons together merely laid the groundwork for what can be achieved in Year 3.
As an added bonus, the AFC appears wide open.
So, given the Chargers’ 5-1 record against the West last season, and with the one loss coming in a regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos in which almost all of the regulars were sitting out in order to stay healthy for the playoffs, the consensus in El Segundo was: Why not us?
Indeed.
Here’s a look at what to watch during training camp:
CAMP COMPETITION
It cannot be said that Hortiz failed to address the Chargers’ biggest shortcomings during free agency in March and the draft in April. At no position were his actions more evident than on the offensive line, with new signings at both guard spots and center. Four of eight picks in the draft were O-linemen.
Hortiz’s moves, designed to provide improved protection for quarterback Justin Herbert, had the added benefit of creating competition in the line, setting up a camp battle at left guard, in particular. Zion Johnson departed via free agency and Hortiz moved swiftly to fill the void.
Kayode Awosika signed after four seasons with the Detroit Lions and one with the Philadelphia Eagles. Trevor Penning, acquired last season from the New Orleans Saints, could challenge him for the position. So could second-round pick Jake Slaughter from the University of Florida.
The rest of the line seems set with Pro Bowl tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater recovered from season-ending injuries and expected to be full participants in drills Wednesday. Free agents Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange will play center and right guard with Slaughter possibly backing up Biadasz.
There also is competition to determine who will start at tight end. Hortiz signed Charlie Kolar as a free agent to improve the Chargers’ protection of Herbert, but it remains to be determined if Kolar will start ahead of Oronde Gadsden, a better receiver but not blocker than Kolar.
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CAMP BATTLES (PART 2)
The Chargers’ defense appears set under new coordinator Chris O’Leary, with the noteworthy exception of the defensive front. Who might join Teair Tart and Dalvin Tomlinson on the defensive line and will first-round pick Akheem Mesidor join Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu in a rotation at outside linebacker?
There also might be a rotation at the cornerback positions, as there was at times last season, among Cam Hart, Donte Jackson and Tarheeb Still. Each is capable and expected to play significant roles in a top-notch defense that lost coordinator Jesse Minter to the Baltimore Ravens.
NEW COORDINATORS
The Chargers were the NFL’s stingiest defense in Minter’s first season as coordinator and ninth-best in his second. O’Leary, a former Chargers defensive backs coach who spent the 2025 season as Western Michigan’s defensive coordinator, replaced Minter after Minter departed.
Mike McDaniel, the Miami Dolphins’ head coach for the past four seasons, was hired as offensive coordinator after Greg Roman was fired after the Chargers’ lackluster 16-3 wild-card loss Jan. 11 to the New England Patriots. McDaniel was tasked with unlocking Herbert’s full potential.
The Chargers’ offense was 20th in points per game with an average of 21.8 and 18th in net passing yards with an average of 212.2. Herbert threw for 3,727 yards in the 2025 season, his fewest in a full season (15 games or more) in his six-year career and far from his career-best of 5,014 set in 2021.
WIDE RECEIVER DEPTH
One area of concern is at the wide receiver position. Is there enough depth at the position? Are there enough playmakers to make McDaniel’s vision for the offense come alive? Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, Tre’ Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and fourth-round pick Brenen Thompson are atop the depth chart.
Keenan Allen, who spent 12 of his 13 NFL seasons with the Chargers and is the franchise’s all-time leader with 985 receptions, remains unsigned. He also has 11,307 receiving yards, second in Chargers history to Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates, who had 11,841. Is a reunion in order?
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