The first two seasons of the Jim Harbaugh/Joe Hortiz Era produced consecutive 11-win seasons followed by eminently forgettable losses in AFC wild-card playoff games, first to the Houston Texans and then to the New England Patriots. The second exit resulted in big changes.
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The biggest of them all was hiring Mike McDaniel to replace Greg Roman as the offensive coordinator, with a goal of unlocking quarterback Justin Herbert’s full potential and inject life into an offense that looked like it was stuck in mud in the losses to Houston and New England.
Hortiz spent the offseason upgrading several position groups, but none more dramatically than the offensive line. Center Jake Slaughter was one of four offensive linemen to be picked in the draft in April. Hortiz also signed free-agent guards Kayode Awosika and Cole Strange.
The Chargers’ depth on the O-line will be tested after center Tyler Biadasz suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp. It felt like another serious blow after tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) were sidelined by season-ending injuries in 2025.
Here’s a week-by-week look at how the revamped Chargers might fare in 2026:
Sept. 13: Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m., SoFi Stadium
Most pundits in the known football universe expect the Chargers to be a top-10 team in the 32-team league, and they predict nothing good for the Cardinals.
Prediction: Win, 1-0.
Sept. 20: Las Vegas Raiders, 1:05 p.m., SoFi Stadium
The Raiders named veteran Kirk Cousins their starting quarterback for Week 1. Will the Chargers see him or rookie Fernando Mendoza, the top overall pick in the draft from Indiana, in Week 2?
Prediction: Win, 2-0.
Sept. 27: Buffalo Bills, 10 a.m., Highmark Stadium
If the league sends you to Buffalo, be thankful it’s in September rather than December or January. The Bills have a new stadium, but it’s not a dome, so the weather when fall turns to winter will likely play havoc with opponents just like the old ballyard.
Prediction: Loss, 2-1.
Oct. 4: Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 p.m., Lumen Field
The Chargers face the Super Bowl champions as the most difficult part of their season continues with a trip to the factory of noise that is the Seahawks’ home stadium.
Prediction: Loss, 2-2.
Oct. 11: Denver Broncos, 1:05 p.m., SoFi Stadium
The Broncos ended the Chiefs’ stranglehold on the AFC West and advanced to the conference championship game last season. Is a repeat for quarterback Bo Nix and the Broncos in order for this season? The division and the conference seem wide open.
Prediction: Win, 3-2.
Oct. 18: Kansas City Chiefs, 1:25 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium
Actually, it was the Chargers’ 16-13 victory Dec. 14 on a 15-degree afternoon in Kansas City that eliminated the Chiefs from the playoffs. The temperature might be warmer for the rematch but the reception might be just as icy.
Prediction: Win, 4-2.
Oct. 25: BYE WEEK
Nov. 1: Rams, 1:05 p.m., SoFi Stadium
Is it too much to believe this midseason game, with the Rams playing host to the Chargers, could be a Super Bowl preview? The Super Bowl is Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium, and an all-Los Angeles matchup no doubt would make the rest of the country turn green with envy.
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Prediction: Loss, 4-3.
Nov. 8: Houston Texans, 1:05 p.m., SoFi Stadium
There’s no rest for the weary, with the Texans expected to be one of the AFC’s toughest opponents for anyone unfortunate enough to be on their schedule.
Prediction: Win, 5-3.
Nov. 16: Baltimore Ravens, 5:15 p.m., M&T Bank Stadium
The Chargers get their first look at the Ravens under their former defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter, who spent the past two seasons on Harbaugh’s staff and turned the team into one of the league’s stingiest opponents. Don’t expect the Ravens to be any less defensive under Minter.
Prediction: Loss, 5-4.
Nov. 22: New York Jets, 1:05 p.m., SoFi Stadium
Here’s a classic trap game, sandwiched between a Monday night showdown with Minter and the Ravens in Baltimore and a home-field rematch with the Patriots.
Prediction: Win, 6-4.
Nov. 29: New England Patriots, 5:20 p.m., SoFi Stadium
The Chargers get a chance to deliver a payback to quarterback Drake Maye and the Patriots, who sent them to an early vacation with a 16-3 victory on Jan. 11. The Patriots went on to advance to the Super Bowl, where the Seahawks delivered a thumping.
Prediction: Win, 7-4.
Dec. 6: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 10 a.m., Raymond James Stadium
This game comes at a pivotal moment in the schedule, and against a quality opponent.
Prediction: Loss, 7-5.
Dec. 13: Las Vegas Raiders, 1:05 p.m., Allegiant Stadium
Mendoza became the first quarterback drafted first overall not to start in Week 1 since Baker Mayfield in 2018. Will he be the starter by Week 14? Or will the Chargers face Cousins again?
Prediction: Win, 8-5.
Dec. 17: San Francisco 49ers, 5:15 p.m., SoFi Stadium
This Week 15 game could have huge playoff implications for a total of six teams, three in the AFC West and three in the NFC West, but especially for the Chargers.
Prediction: Win, 9-5.
Dec. 27: Miami Dolphins, 10 a.m., Hard Rock Stadium
McDaniel’s South Florida homecoming could be something special for him and the Chargers. He spent four seasons as the Dolphins’ head coach, with two quite successful. Miami fired him and then the Chargers hired him in January.
Prediction: Win, 10-5.
Week 17: Kansas City Chiefs, TBD, SoFi Stadium
The Chargers could complete their second consecutive season sweep of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs while also cementing their third consecutive playoff appearance with Harbaugh as coach with a home victory.
Prediction: Win, 11-5.
Week 18: Denver Broncos, TBD, Mile High Stadium
The Chargers and Broncos play the regular-season finale in Denver for the third time in the past five seasons. The first two were essentially meaningless with playoff status already determined. Will it be that way again this time? Or will it be a truly meaningful game?
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Prediction: Loss, 11-6.