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Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary loves what he's seeing from his side of the ball, especially from the linebackers unit.
After Thursday's practice in Los Angeles, O'Leary said the linebackers unit has stood out like no other.
"I'm not picking favorites, but I like the linebacker room," O'Leary said. "I like sitting in there, talking to those guys … it's awesome.
"In San Diego specifically, I saw guys running to the ball full speed, saw them triggering downhill, saw them blitzing with tempo and timing," O'Leary added. "They are all kind of pushing each other."
The Chargers linebacker unit was a standout in 2025, and they are expected to be just as good or even better in 2026.
Daiyan Henley is expected to be the centerpiece of that unit alongside Denzel Perryman. Troy Dye and Del'Shawn Phillips provide depth and special teams reliability. Junior Colson and Marlowe Wax are fighting for a roster spot.
O'Leary is heading into his first year as the defensive coordinator for the Chargers and his first gig in that position in the NFL. He'll have some big shoes to fill after the departure of Jesse Minter; however, O'Leary is expected to bring a more aggressive approach with higher pressure rates and increased utilization of linebackers and defensive backs.
O'Leary's defense has played exactly how he envisioned throughout training camp, so much so that he had to ask his players to dial things back during their most recent practice.
"We had to turn it down a little bit … we started off a little too physical," O'Leary said. "That's a good thing to feel, but we've got to practice smarter.
"But you feel that physicality and there's an edge to our defense that we need to keep stoking," O'Leary added. "We need guys, when the lights come on, that are dogs. We feel that.
"You love guys that bite, and we put the pads on everyone is juiced up," O'Leary said. "But we're good enough to be smart and protect our team. That comes first."
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers' Chris O'Leary singles out one defensive unit standing out
Continue reading...
After Thursday's practice in Los Angeles, O'Leary said the linebackers unit has stood out like no other.
"I'm not picking favorites, but I like the linebacker room," O'Leary said. "I like sitting in there, talking to those guys … it's awesome.
"In San Diego specifically, I saw guys running to the ball full speed, saw them triggering downhill, saw them blitzing with tempo and timing," O'Leary added. "They are all kind of pushing each other."
The Chargers linebacker unit was a standout in 2025, and they are expected to be just as good or even better in 2026.
Daiyan Henley is expected to be the centerpiece of that unit alongside Denzel Perryman. Troy Dye and Del'Shawn Phillips provide depth and special teams reliability. Junior Colson and Marlowe Wax are fighting for a roster spot.
O'Leary is heading into his first year as the defensive coordinator for the Chargers and his first gig in that position in the NFL. He'll have some big shoes to fill after the departure of Jesse Minter; however, O'Leary is expected to bring a more aggressive approach with higher pressure rates and increased utilization of linebackers and defensive backs.
O'Leary's defense has played exactly how he envisioned throughout training camp, so much so that he had to ask his players to dial things back during their most recent practice.
"We had to turn it down a little bit … we started off a little too physical," O'Leary said. "That's a good thing to feel, but we've got to practice smarter.
"But you feel that physicality and there's an edge to our defense that we need to keep stoking," O'Leary added. "We need guys, when the lights come on, that are dogs. We feel that.
"You love guys that bite, and we put the pads on everyone is juiced up," O'Leary said. "But we're good enough to be smart and protect our team. That comes first."
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers' Chris O'Leary singles out one defensive unit standing out
Continue reading...
