Facing nine road games and a brutal divisional gauntlet, Jim Harbaugh’s retooled coaching staff must navigate a demanding path to return Justin Herbert and the Chargers to postseason glory.
The Los Angeles Chargers enter the year with something to prove. They will have to prove it against what we already knew would be a tough schedule.
Heading into the schedule release, we know which opponents the Chargers will face. Albeit this week we will know when Los Angeles faces those opponents.
Aside from the inherently difficult nature of a schedule that twice faces head coach Andy Reid's three-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and the returning No. 1 seeded Denver Broncos, the Chargers will have other hurdles. Los Angeles is set to play nine road games in 2026.
USA TODAY's Tyler Dragon detailed how the Chargers can navigate their difficult schedule heading into the middle of the offseason. Here's what Dragon shared of the team's characteristics prior to the NFL's schedule release this week.
"Jim Harbaugh has captured 11 wins and reached the postseason in each of his first two seasons as the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. This year, they have their sights on more.
The Chargers hired Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator and Chris O'Leary is replacing Jesse Minter as defensive coordinator. Can the new coordinators help a talented Chargers roster that’s underachieved?
Quarterback Justin Herbert is entering his seventh season behind center, and the offensive line will get a boost with the healthy returns of tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. In the backfield, 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton is also healthy after recovering from a nagging ankle injury.
Los Angeles’ defense is led by safety Derwin James, 13-year veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack, edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu and linebacker Daiyan Henley. They also added edge rusher Akheem Mesidor in the first round of this year’s draft."
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh before the game at SoFi Stadium. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesWe do not yet know the order in which the Chargers will face their 2026 NFL opponents, but we will find out between May 12 and 14. The scheduled opponents won't be easy.
The Chargers will face all three 12-win or more NFC West opponents in the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the regular season. They will face the Rams and Seahawks on the road.
In addition, Los Angeles will play against the AFC champion New England Patriots who famously ended the Chargers' 2025 campaign in the postseason.
They will also face returning playoff squads in the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans alongside tough squads in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens.
Both the Buccaneers and Ravens just missed the playoffs. Baltimore will begin its first season without Jim Harbaugh's brother, John, leading the team at head coach since 2007.
We will monitor where the Chargers' games will be ordered when the schedule is released this week.