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Could we have done more? That's the question every general manager will ask at season's end if their team fails to live up to expectations.
Expectations for the Los Angeles Chargers are perhaps as high now as they have been since LaDainian Tomlinson led the franchise at running back. With that comes offseason scrutiny.
Some are tempering expectations based on what the Chargers did or did not do in offseason moves. One NFL analyst gave them team an A- offseason grade but broke down some lesser aspects of the team's summer haul.
Here's some of what ESPN NFL analyst Seth Walder had to say about the Chargers' last few months.
"Odafe Oweh, who delivered sacks for the Chargers after a midseason trade from Baltimore, departed in free agency (which should net them a fourth-round compensatory pick, per OverTheCap.com), but Los Angeles re-signed Khalil Mack and drafted Akheem Mesidor in the first round. Mack is still good when he's on the field -- though understandably diminished from his previous heights -- but the Chargers would benefit from an instant impact from Mesidor, with Tuli Tuipulotu an average pass rusher opposite Mack.
Along the offensive line, the Chargers signed Tyler Biadasz to play center (and drafted Jake Slaughter in the second round, too). Biadasz should be an immediate upgrade over Bradley Bozeman, who had just a third percentile pass block win rate last season while Biadasz was in the 53rd percentile. The team did lose guard Zion Johnson in free agency to the Browns, though.
Overall, this was a good offseason. But I wonder if the Chargers should have spent a little more. As of this writing, they have the fourth-most cap space in 2026 and rank in the top 10 in 2027 cap space. Could they have used that money to get a better guard than Cole Strange? I'd have shelled out for Elgton Jenkins or Isaac Seumalo if I were them."
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) during minicamp at The Bolt. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Walder's characterization of Tuipulotu as an "average pass rusher," seems a bit harsh given the player added 13.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in the 2025 season. Perhaps that aided significantly by Khalil Mack on the other side, but 13.0 sacks is far from NFL average.
That the Chargers could have spent more, however, seems a more than fair assessment.
Los Angeles seems to be playing the long game, which may end up paying dividends financially when they are certain quarterback Justin Herbert is primed to run the NFL playoffs in the postseason. But if the Bolts come up just short of their goals in 2026, the lack of offseason moves will be revisited.
The Chargers are set up to contend in 2026. The season will reveal whether or not they did enough to realize all their goals.
Continue reading...
Expectations for the Los Angeles Chargers are perhaps as high now as they have been since LaDainian Tomlinson led the franchise at running back. With that comes offseason scrutiny.
Some are tempering expectations based on what the Chargers did or did not do in offseason moves. One NFL analyst gave them team an A- offseason grade but broke down some lesser aspects of the team's summer haul.
Here's some of what ESPN NFL analyst Seth Walder had to say about the Chargers' last few months.
"Odafe Oweh, who delivered sacks for the Chargers after a midseason trade from Baltimore, departed in free agency (which should net them a fourth-round compensatory pick, per OverTheCap.com), but Los Angeles re-signed Khalil Mack and drafted Akheem Mesidor in the first round. Mack is still good when he's on the field -- though understandably diminished from his previous heights -- but the Chargers would benefit from an instant impact from Mesidor, with Tuli Tuipulotu an average pass rusher opposite Mack.
Along the offensive line, the Chargers signed Tyler Biadasz to play center (and drafted Jake Slaughter in the second round, too). Biadasz should be an immediate upgrade over Bradley Bozeman, who had just a third percentile pass block win rate last season while Biadasz was in the 53rd percentile. The team did lose guard Zion Johnson in free agency to the Browns, though.
Overall, this was a good offseason. But I wonder if the Chargers should have spent a little more. As of this writing, they have the fourth-most cap space in 2026 and rank in the top 10 in 2027 cap space. Could they have used that money to get a better guard than Cole Strange? I'd have shelled out for Elgton Jenkins or Isaac Seumalo if I were them."
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Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) during minicamp at The Bolt. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Walder's characterization of Tuipulotu as an "average pass rusher," seems a bit harsh given the player added 13.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in the 2025 season. Perhaps that aided significantly by Khalil Mack on the other side, but 13.0 sacks is far from NFL average.
That the Chargers could have spent more, however, seems a more than fair assessment.
Los Angeles seems to be playing the long game, which may end up paying dividends financially when they are certain quarterback Justin Herbert is primed to run the NFL playoffs in the postseason. But if the Bolts come up just short of their goals in 2026, the lack of offseason moves will be revisited.
The Chargers are set up to contend in 2026. The season will reveal whether or not they did enough to realize all their goals.
Continue reading...
