The Chargers made subtle improvements this offseason, but their Super Bowl hopes may still come down to one thing: protecting Justin Herbert. If the offensive line holds up, this roster has enough talent to compete with anyone in the AFC.
The Chargers are closer than a lot of people think.
After another 11-win season, it feels like this team has quietly built a roster that can compete with almost anyone in the AFC. The frustrating part is that they still don’t fully feel like a complete team. This offseason wasn’t flashy, but it was clearly focused on improving the roster around Justin Herbert and trying to avoid the issues that completely derailed them in key moments last season.
And honestly, everything comes back to the offensive line.
When Herbert has time, the Chargers can absolutely compete with the top teams in football. That’s what makes this team so interesting heading into 2026. They already have the quarterback. They already have a strong tackle duo in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. The defense still has playmakers and the offense added more speed and versatility for Mike McDaniel’s system.
But the guard situation still feels shaky enough to keep people from fully buying in.
The Chargers clearly understood protection was a problem after Herbert took a beating in 2025. Multiple reports throughout the offseason pointed toward offensive line help being a major priority, especially after the playoff loss where Herbert was constantly under pressure.
To their credit, they did make subtle improvements. They added center Tyler Biadasz in free agency and continued investing in offensive line depth during the draft. The team drafted several linemen, including Jake Slaughter, Logan Taylor and Alex Harkey, hoping competition and development can stabilize the interior.
Still, there’s a difference between adding depth and truly solving the problem.
A lot of fans were hoping the Chargers would make a bigger move at guard, especially after losing Zion Johnson and watching Herbert spend much of last season under pressure. Even among Chargers fans, there’s debate about whether the team did enough up front.
That’s really the thing separating the Chargers from being viewed as true Super Bowl contenders instead of just a dangerous playoff team.
The AFC is brutal. Kansas City is still Kansas City. Baltimore remains loaded. Buffalo still has Josh Allen. The margin for error is tiny. If the Chargers can’t consistently protect Herbert against elite pass rushes in January, they’ll probably run into the same wall again.
But if the offensive line holds up? This team suddenly becomes scary.
Herbert is still one of the most talented quarterbacks in football, and pairing him with McDaniel’s offense could finally unlock the explosive passing attack Chargers fans have wanted for years. The skill positions are younger, faster and deeper. Omarion Hampton looks like a major piece moving forward, and players like Ladd McConkey and Oronde Gadsden continue to develop into reliable weapons.
Defensively, they still have enough talent to compete, especially if Derwin James and Tuli Tuipulotu stay healthy and Khalil Mack can continue producing at a high level.
So how close are they?
Honestly, probably closer than they’ve been in years.
But until the interior offensive line proves it can consistently keep Herbert upright, it’s hard to put them fully in that elite Super Bowl tier. The Chargers don’t need perfection. They just need competent protection. If they finally get that, they absolutely have the quarterback and roster to make a real run.