The Chargers made headlines hiring Mike McDaniel, but Chris O’Leary’s addition as defensive coordinator could be just as important. Maintaining continuity after Jesse Minter’s departure may be the key to building a balanced team capable of making a deep 2026 playoff run.
The Los Angeles Chargers made two major coordinator hires this offseason, bringing in Mike McDaniel to run the offense and bringing back Chris O’Leary as defensive coordinator. Naturally, McDaniel’s arrival has generated most of the buzz. Pairing an innovative offensive mind with Justin Herbert is going to grab attention, and rightfully so. But while the offense may be the flashier storyline, the Chargers’ defense could quietly be just as critical to the team’s success in 2026.
Chris O’Leary may not be the “sexy” hire that some fans hoped for, but his hire represents something that has been desperately needed in Los Angeles: continuity. O’Leary takes over for Jesse Minter, who helped stabilize the Chargers’ defense before leaving to accept the head coaching job with the Baltimore Ravens. Minter’s system brought structure, discipline and a modern defensive philosophy that helped the Chargers remain competitive even when injuries piled up. Now, O’Leary has the responsibility of carrying that torch.
Continuity matters more than fans often realize, especially on defense. Schemes, communication and player development take time to fully implement. By bringing in a familiar face, the Chargers are betting that O’Leary can maintain the foundation Minter built instead of forcing players to learn an entirely new system. Considering the talent already on the roster, that decision could pay major dividends.
It starts with Derwin James, who remains the heartbeat of the defense. James is at his best when he is allowed to move around the field, disrupt offenses and act as the defense’s emotional leader. O’Leary worked closely with the secondary during his time on staff, and maintaining that relationship could help James continue to thrive. When James is playing at an All-Pro level, the entire defense tends to elevate with him.
The Chargers will also need a bounce-back season from Tarheeb Still. Still showed flashes of high-level play but had an inconsistent 2025 campaign. Young defensive backs often face growing pains, and the Chargers are going to need Still to take the next step in his development. If O’Leary can help refine his technique and confidence, Still has the potential to become a key piece of the secondary moving forward.
Up front, Tuli Tuipulotu continues to emerge as a cornerstone pass rusher. His ability to generate pressure without constant blitzing gives the Chargers flexibility in how they attack opposing quarterbacks. As Tuipulotu continues to develop, he could become the type of player who forces offenses to game plan around him every week.
While the Chargers’ offense will always draw attention as long as Herbert is under center, history has shown that championship-caliber teams need balance. High-powered offenses can win games, but complete teams win in January and February. The Chargers learned that lesson the hard way in recent seasons, as defensive inconsistencies have often prevented them from reaching their full potential.
Chris O’Leary may not have the name recognition or excitement that comes with hiring an outside star coordinator, but that does not mean his role is any less important. If he can maintain defensive continuity, help young players develop and maximize the talent already on the roster, the Chargers could field one of their most complete teams in years.
It may not be the flashy storyline, but the Chargers’ defense could ultimately determine just how far this team can go in 2026.