Chargers not seen among AFC elite entering 2026
The talent is there, but the belief from outside the building isn't.
Chargers not seen among AFC elite entering 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Los Angeles Chargers in 2026 will be one team to keep a close eye on for a number of reasons, with the biggest one being how Mike McDaniel can get the most out of Justin Herbert.
With the Chargers winning 11 games in back-to-back seasons but going one-and-done in the playoffs, McDaniel is seen as the person who can unlock Herbert's talent. That comes with its own set of pressures, as time is running out for the Chargers to shift the narrative around their quarterback. Can they do it in 2026?
Some think so, but the bookmakers aren't as bullish, as DraftKings has the Chargers' over/under win total set at just 9. 5, which surprises Fox Sports. "The Chargers won 11 games in 2025 despite losing both All-Pro tackles, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, for most of the season," Fox Sports wrote .
"Both are expected to return in 2026, and Los Angeles also added Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. Even with those major boosts, the Chargers’ win total is somehow lower entering the season. " MORE: Chiefs over/under win projection great for Patrick Mahomes Chargers must hit the over Not winning 10 games for the Chargers is nightmare fuel for Harbaugh and Herbert.