With cornerstone tackles anchoring the edges and a revamped interior, Justin Herbert’s protection is poised to transform from a perceived liability into a dominant championship-caliber force.
The Los Angeles Chargers should not have an offensive line problem in 2026. We can't see the future, but if the team is given reasonable health, Los Angeles will be a force in 2026.
This conclusion is one that is certainly shared around the Chargers fanbase, but one that could be reasonably drawn from those outside of Los Angeles.
The return of key cornerstone players certainly helps, but the addition of other stopgaps makes the team more ready to endure intermittent turnover this season should a player go down with injury.
Gridiron Heroics' Angelo Guinhawa voiced a similar sentiment in discussing the state of the offensive line. Here's some of what Guinhawa had to say on the potential surprise that could be in store for opposition when they face the Chargers.
"Despite the concerns, there is reason to believe the position can improve as the season progresses. Competition during training camp is expected to determine the starting combination, while the coaching staff continues working to develop chemistry across the offensive line. If the group adapts quickly and establishes consistency, the perceived weakness could become far less significant by the time the regular season reaches its midpoint.
The Chargers possess enough talent to compete with the AFC’s top contenders, but maximizing their offensive potential will require dependable play from the interior offensive line. If the guard position develops into a reliable unit, Los Angeles could remove one of the few remaining obstacles standing between the franchise and a legitimate push toward championship contention during the 2026 season."
Los Angeles offensive tackle Joe Alt (76) is carted off the field after an apparent leg injury during their game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Denny Simmons / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThe return of Joe Alt is significant. Chargers eclipsed 20 points scored in seven of the nine games in which he played last season. They reached 20 points in just four of the nine games he was out with injury including the playoff loss to the Patriots.
In other words, the Chargers were a much more reliable and productive offense with Alt than without him. Add in Slater and you have a significantly better outlook for 2026.
Cole Strange, Jake Slaugher, Trevor Penning and Kayode Awosika are set to battle for a starting spot at guard. Not everyone is as high on what the four bring to the line. Still, there's optimism that two of them will at least be solid starters in the interior if not match or exceed what Mekhi Becton and Zion Johnson could have brought this season.
With new center Tyler Biadasz anchoring the interior, we have every reason to believe Los Angeles can improve.
More than that, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's offseason emphasis and practical plan for quarterback Justin Herbert get the ball out faster will take pressure off the group as a whole.
There's no reason to panic until there's reason to panic. Look for the Chargers to be improved with better health in 2026.
