The Chargers are reloading for a deep playoff run next year. Who are they looking to get past to make it to the Super Bowl to be played in Los Angeles?
With a lot of contenders for the throne but no knockout blow delivered, the AFC belt is very much up for grabs. In the 2020s, only one AFC team has won the Super Bowl: the Chargers’ AFC West foe, the Kansas City Chiefs. They have basically been the reigning Heavyweight champions since Patrick Mahomes arrived.
AFC best?
The Chargers vanquished their foe last year, sweeping them 2-0 en route to a 5-1 division record. Of course, Mahomes is injured this offseason, but I wouldn’t bet on the 2020s AFC champ being down for the count. If anyone has the sheer willpower and just the right amount of crazy to nail his injury rehab, it’s Mahomes. The Chargers added insult to Mahomes' injury by being the team he tore his knee against. They'll have a special place on his revenge list along with anyone counting him out.
The Chiefs are on a historic, dynastic run this decade. They were victorious in 2020, 2023, and 2024. They missed the chance to three-peat when they were demolished by the Eagles in 2025. It was their second Super Bowl loss of the decade, and they have also lost in the AFC title game. The sad truth is the Chiefs have as many Super Bowl wins as the Chargers have playoff games in the 2020s. And the Chargers happen to be 0-3 in those games. It's never too late to turn momentum.
A bolt of energy
The Bolts hope they have turned the tide with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel, as they continue to fill in a solid roster on both sides of the field. Anchored by Justin Herbert and the passing game, the Chargers need to protect their MVP-vote recipient with a skilled and injury-free offensive line. The playmakers on the outside are OK, but no one really stands out as of now.
The best of the rest
Elsewhere in the conference, past MVP winners Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen will be looking to take advantage of the wounded Chiefs. So will former Super Bowl participant Joe Burrow and the up-and-coming Trevor Lawrence, who has beaten the Chargers in a playoff game before. He'll have Travis Hunter returning on offense and defense to make a deeper playoff run next year. Within their own division, the Chargers face the Broncos' stout defense, a credentialed coach in Sean Payton, and a young star at quarterback in Bo Nix. Nix's injury might have swung the outcome of the Super Bowl this year.